Ewan McGregorstarred in a fantastic limited series in 2024, and I’m surprised the project being so universally praised by critics and fans alike hasn’t resulted in it being more widely talked about. I truly believe it’s among some ofEwan McGregor’s best TV shows, and it even beats out a few of his movies too.It’s available to stream on Paramount+, with the first episode airing on June 28, 2025. The finale aired on May 17 of the same year, and I’m still not over the emotional roller coaster the show took me on.
The show has a score of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, and the fan rating is not that much lower - still boasting an impressive 80%. I think it’s one of thebest shows TV on Paramount+, even a year after its debut. The Scottish actor’s flawless English accent gives the show’s main character a flavor ofMcGregor’s role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in hisStar Warsappearances, and certain elements from his arc in the iconic space opera are even mirrored in the Paramount+ project. The show is not normally my kind of thing, but my enjoyment supports its brilliance.
A Gentleman In Moscow Is An 8-Episode Adaptation Of Amor Towles' 2016 Novel On Paramount+
McGregor’s character spends decades imprisoned inside a luxury Russian hotel
Ewan McGregor plays Count Alexander Rostov inA Gentleman in Moscow, a former member of Russia’s defunct ruling class during the Bolshevik Revolution. Beginning in 1917,A Gentleman in Moscowsees Count Rostov imprisoned inside the Metropol Hotel simply for his social status. He is spared the death penalty that is enforced upon so many of his peers, but he is never allowed to leave his surprising new home. However, living in relative luxury andbeing provided with free food and drink doesn’t mean an easy life for McGregor’s character.
Despite being a work of fiction,A Gentleman in Moscowpays a great level of attention to historical accuracy. None of the characters are real, butthe Metropol is a genuine hotel in Moscow. Plus, all the major events of the Russian Revolution happen offscreen during the show’s decades-long narrative and impact Count Rostov, along with his newfound friends and makeshift family. It’s almost as if an unseen chronicle from that period of Russian history is being played out onscreen. The show is just one year old, but Amor Towles' source material is nearing its tenth birthday.
A Gentleman In Moscow Allows For A Rare Team-Up With Ewan McGregor & His Real-Life Wife
After meeting on the set ofFargoin 2017,A Gentleman in Moscowprovides the show’s star and his real-life wife a rare opportunity to work togetheragain. Mary Elizabeth Winstead is known for several roles - including Ramona Flowers in 2010’sScott Pilgrim vs. the World, and General Hera Syndulla inAhsoka. What’s even better than Winstead appearing inA Gentleman in Moscowalongside her husband is that her character is Alexander’s love interest and eventual long-term romantic partner- an actress called Anna Urbanova.
A Gentleman In Moscow Brilliantly Connects Ewan McGregor’s Alexander Rostov & The Metropol Hotel
There is an artistic connection between the Metropol and Alexander in A Gentleman in Moscow that could foreshadow the Russian count’s fate.
A Gentleman in Moscow’s cast, while brilliant, is short on other big names beyond McGregor and Winstead, but the couple’s real-world romantic dynamic transfers beautifully to the screen. Although it’s presumably not an authentic representation of their real marriage, I think it’s clear that the underlying emotions are at least similar when McGregor and Winstead step into their respective roles as Count Rostov and Anna. Without Winstead being cast to support McGregor, I think the show wouldn’t have been quite as good. That being said, there are still plenty of other elements to enjoy.
Why A Gentleman In Moscow’s Reviews Are So Good
McGregor bringing Alexander Rostov so brilliantly to life is just one reason why the show did so well
McGregor’s brilliant performance asA Gentleman in Moscow’s protagonist helps carry the story forward. He nails all of his dramatic moments, but also the more comedic scenes that punctuate the narrative. The Metropol hotel is populated with a variety of characters both loyal to Alexander and against him. His interactions with figures in both categories are equally entertaining, but for very different reasons. All the episodes are also immaculately directed, andAmor Towles' original version of the story remains largely intact.
A Gentleman in Moscowsomehow manages to cover 30+ years of events in just eight episodes.
Furthermore,A Gentleman in Moscowsomehow manages to cover 30+ years of events in just eight episodes. This is no easy feat, as the political unrest in Russia at the time often resulted in some drastic changes in the country’s socio-economic landscape. The time jumps are placed at perfect points, so the story’s momentum isn’t slowed, and the writers do a terrific job of quickly getting the audience up to speed in the following era. In short,A Gentleman in Moscowworked very hard to earn the numerous positive reviews it got.
