Download All The ‘Chernobyl’ Screenplays FREE

Chernobyl is a five-part historical drama television miniseries produced by HBO. Unless you live in an underground bunker, you’ll be aware that the series has created a huge reaction. But if the news hasn’t yet radiated your neighbourhood yet, don’t worry – it’s not a disaster.

(shall I stop now?)

Anyway, the show’s writer recently tweeted that the show’s screenplays are available to download for free.

If you haven’t seen the shows yet, then Craig recommends you watch them before you read the screenplays.


However… if you’re an aspiring filmmaker, or you just love to learn about the filmmaking process, then I suggest you actually read the scripts first. You know, I quite often read scripts before seeing the film.

For example, I read Charlie Kaufman’s screenplay for Adaptation before seeing the film. I love both, but somehow enjoyed the screenplay more. The irony of reading a screenplay by a screenwriter about screenwriting seemed to make it a more perfect piece of art.

Read or watch first?

Of course, HBO don’t want people reading the scripts before watching the show. Once someone knows what happens, they are probably less likely to bother watching. Therefore, less viewing figures for HBO.

Personally, once I made the step from audience to serious filmmaker, then reading a screenplay before watching a film/show became a useful exercise. By reading the screenplays first, you will be following the filmmaking process – from script to screen. You will also get to imagine the movie in your mind first before seeing how it eventually came out.

How did you imagine it? Is it close? Did the casting work or did you imagine completely different performances?

How did the director and crew turn what you might think an ordinary scene into something visually stunning? Or did the opposite happen.

Thing is, we rarely get to follow this process. We’ve nearly always seen the show or movie before we get to read the script – unless we work in the industry or a screenplay has been leaked.

Here they are

The request is to keep the links all directed to the John August script library, rather than individual episodes.

Download all the screenplays from the John August Script Library here! 

  1. Episode 1 – “1:23:45”
  2. Episode 2 – “Please Remain Calm”
  3. Episode 3 – “Open Wide, O Earth”
  4. Episode 4 – “The Happiness Of All Mankind”
  5. Episode 5 – “Vichnaya Pamyat”

And by clicking that link you’ll see that right below are a load of other screenplays.

If you are an aspiring filmmaker and/or screenwriter, I really recommend you read as many screenplays of professional produced movies and shows as possible. Reading professional screenplays is far more educational than reading any number of “how to” screenwriting manuals.

So click that link and fill your boots.

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