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Entertainment • Television

Russian Doll

Russian Doll is an American comedy-drama television series created by Natasha Lyonne, Leslye Headland, and Amy Poehler.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Russian Doll is an American comedy-drama television series created by Natasha Lyonne, Leslye Headland, and Amy Poehler. It premiered on Netflix on February 1, 2019, and follows Nadia Vulvokov as she repeatedly dies and relives the same night in a time loop. The series also follows Alan Zaveri, who experiences the same phenomenon.

Premise

The series follows Nadia Vulvokov on the night of her 36th birthday party, where she repeatedly dies and returns to the same point in time. The story expands when she encounters Alan Zaveri, who is dealing with a similar loop.

Production

Russian Doll was created by Natasha Lyonne, Leslye Headland, and Amy Poehler. Lyonne also served as a writer and director on the series.

Release

The first season premiered on Netflix on February 1, 2019. The series concluded after two seasons, with the second season released in 2022.

Reception and recognition

The series received award attention, including Emmy nominations. It became known for its blend of dark comedy, character drama, and surreal narrative structure.

Key facts

  • The series centres on Nadia Vulvokov, a game developer stuck in a repeating night in New York City.
  • Alan Zaveri becomes an important parallel character who is also trapped in a similar loop.
  • The show premiered on Netflix in 2019 and ran for two seasons.
  • Natasha Lyonne co-created the series and stars as Nadia.
  • The series is described as a comedy-drama with surreal and time-loop elements.
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Canadian context

The series was available on Netflix in Canada and is part of the broader North American streaming television market.

Frequently asked questions

What is Russian Doll about?
It follows Nadia Vulvokov, who keeps dying and reliving the same night, and later Alan Zaveri, who experiences a similar time loop.
Who created Russian Doll?
The series was created by Natasha Lyonne, Leslye Headland, and Amy Poehler.
When did Russian Doll premiere?
It premiered on Netflix on February 1, 2019.
How many seasons does Russian Doll have?
The series has two seasons.
Who stars in Russian Doll?
Natasha Lyonne stars as Nadia Vulvokov, with Charlie Barnett, Greta Lee, Yul Vazquez, Elizabeth Ashley, and Chloë Sevigny among the cast.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Doll_(TV_series)
    Supports: Creation credits, premise, cast, premiere date, and format
  2. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/80211627
    Supports: Series description, season count, genre, creators, and release status
  3. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Russian-Doll-TV-series
    Supports: Overview of the series, creators, and time-loop premise
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/russian_doll
    Supports: Synopsis, creators, genre, original release date