ZDF Studios to Distribute Explosive Two-Part Documentary on Putin’s Rise to Power
“The Godfather of St. Petersburg” from Story House Productions for ZDF and ZDF Studios Reveals How Chaos, Crime, and Corruption Shaped Russia’s Future
Mainz, December 11th, 2025
ZDF Studios is proud to announce that it will handle the international distribution of the gripping two-part documentary series The Godfather of St. Petersburg, produced by Story House Productions for ZDF and ZDF Studios. Currently in production, the series offers an unprecedented look into the origins of Vladimir Putin’s rise to power.
In 2025, Vladimir Putin marked 25 years at the helm of Russia. But how did his journey begin? This true-crime documentary takes viewers back to the turbulent 1990s in St. Petersburg—a city plagued by chaos, corruption, and violent power struggles. As deputy mayor, Putin cultivated ties with intelligence services, influential businessmen, and notorious criminal figures. These alliances laid the foundation for a power structure that continues to shape Russia today.
Drawing on internationally respected top experts, exclusive documents, eyewitness accounts, and previously unpublished material, The Godfather of St. Petersburg reconstructs the creation of a system where loyalty is paramount and dissent can be deadly. The series also features exclusive interviews with former collaborators and acquaintances of Putin, some of which now speak publicly for the very first time, revealing a complex web of political maneuvering, organized crime, and economic opportunism.
Nikolas Hülbusch, Director Unscripted at ZDF Studios, said: “This documentary is more than a historical account—it’s a deep dive into the forces that shaped modern Russia. With exclusive access and compelling storytelling, The Godfather of St. Petersburg uncovers the networks and decisions that propelled Vladimir Putin from local politics to global power. We are excited to bring this extraordinary series to international audiences."
Jens Afflerbach, General Manager & CEP at Story House Productions: “With The Godfather of St. Petersburg, we aim to shed light on one of the most pivotal and least understood chapters in modern history. By combining exclusive documents, eyewitness accounts, and unprecedented access to Putin’s inner circle, this series reveals how a city in chaos became the cradle of a power structure that still shapes global politics today.”
Showreel and more information
---
About ZDF Studios
ZDF Studios is a commercial subsidiary of ZDF, one of the largest TV broadcasters in Europe. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Mainz, Germany, the ZDF Studios Group operates more than 30 direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates in Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom spanning TV production, distribution and services. The parent company, ZDF Studios, is responsible for global programme distribution, realisation of international co-productions, acquisition of licences and merchandising of successful programme brands under its own name, for ZDF and third parties. ZDF Studios has the largest German-language programme inventory in the world and a constantly growing range of international productions, consisting of series and mini-series, television films, documentaries and children's programmes.
The companies of the ZDF Studios Group cover the entire value chain from the development of scripted and unscripted TV content to production, marketing and monetizing, including TV and streaming licences as well as merchandising and online rights. The positioning of ZDF Studios as an integrated media company enables the development of innovative, outstanding and high-quality programmes and makes the Group an attractive workplace for German and international talent to flourish in a very inspiring and creative environment.
Contact ZDF Studios
Christine Denilauler (VP Marketing and Corporate Communications), ZDF Studios GmbH, Erich-Dombrowski-Str. 1, D-55127 Mainz/Germany, Tel.: +49 6131-9911130, E-mail: christine.denilauler@zdf-studios.com, www.zdf-studios.com