Introduction: Why is Highway Patrol still discussed?
TV series “Highway Patrol”** (2008–2013) became one of the most rated projects NTV the beginning of the 2010s, gathering an audience of millions. It wasn't just another cop action movie - it was a mixture of drama, humor and realistic chase scenes that kept audiences sitting in front of the screen every night. But what made the series so special? Why is it still remembered, quoted and reviewed more than 10 years later?
In this article we have collected real audience reviews, analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of each season, revealed little-known facts about the filming and compared the Russian remake with the original American "CHiPs"** (1977–1983). If you've ever rooted for Fonya And Kostya, or are just planning to get acquainted with the series - here you will find answers to all questions.
Viewer feedback: what do they say about “Highway Patrol” years later?
A decade after the series finale, reviews of it are divided into two camps: those who consider it the best Russian police series of all time, and those who criticize the script for being formulaic. Let's look at the main opinions.
On Kinopoisk The show's rating fluctuates around 7.2/10 - a good result for a domestic project. Many note that the first seasons were much stronger than the last, but even in the final episodes there were bright moments. Here are the pros and cons that viewers most often mention:
- 👍 Charismatic heroes: Acting duet Andrey Merzlikin (Fonya) and Alexander Golubev (Kostya) became legendary. Their on-screen chemistry was one of the main reasons for their success.
- 👍 Dynamic chases: For its time, the series offered some of the best car scenes in Russian cinema.
- 👎 Recurring stories: Over time, many episodes became predictable - “the criminal escaped, the patrol caught up with him.”
- 👎 Unrealistic moments: Some of the chases and stunts looked too “cinematic” for a series that positions itself as realistic.
Interestingly, among negative reviews there is often a reproach for too much humor. Some viewers expected more seriousness from the police series, but the creators relied on an entertaining format. How do you approach this balance?
- Humor and dialogues of characters
- Dynamic chases
- Realistic police stories
- Acting
Season analysis: which was the best?
During the 5 years of release (2008–2013), the series managed to release 12 seasons - a record for Russian television. However, not all of them were equally strong. Let's look at the key points of each stage.
| Season | Release year | Features | Viewer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | 2008–2009 | Meeting the characters, fresh ideas, minimal stereotypes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 4–6 | 2010–2011 | Peak of popularity, best chases, development of relationships between heroes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ |
| 7–9 | 2011–2012 | The appearance of new characters, the first signs of “tiredness” of the script | ⭐⭐⭐½ |
| 10–12 | 2012–2013 | Lost interest, repetitive plots, open-ended ending | ⭐⭐½ |
Many fans agree that Seasons 4–6 became the golden period of the series. It was then that the writers balanced between humor and drama, and the budget allowed for the filming of spectacular scenes. For example, a chase from Season 5, where patrol officers are chasing a stolen car BMW M5 on the city at night, is still considered one of the best in the history of Russian TV.
But the final seasons are often criticized for illogical plot twists and attempts to “stretch” the series. For example, the sudden appearance of a new main character in season 11 seemed far-fetched to many.
The first three seasons of “Highway Patrol” are still considered the standard for Russian police series for their combination of humor, drama and realism.
The actors of "Highway Patrol": where are they now?
One of the reasons for the series' longevity was its cast. Many artists who began their careers with “Road Patrol” are today stars of Russian cinema and theater. Let's take a look at what the key players are doing today.
- 🎬 Andrey Merzlikin (Fonya): After the series he played in “Method», «Year of Culture" and "For an ordinary woman" Today he actively acts in films and does voice-over work.
- 🎬 Alexander Golubev (Kostya): Successfully plays in theater and cinema. Known for his roles in "Kitchen», «Sule" and "Year of Culture».
- 🎬 Ekaterina Kopanova (Lera): After “Highway Patrol” she played in “Interns», «Fizruk" and "Grand" Today he leads an active life on social networks.
- 🎬 Alexander Yatsenko (Slava): Continued his film career, known for his roles in “For youth" and "Closed school».
Interesting fact: Andrey Merzlikin And Alexander Golubev They still maintain friendly relations. In a 2022 interview, they admitted that they still sometimes rewatch episodes of the series and laugh at their young characters.
Did you know that originally for the role Phoney did another actor audition? According to the director, Merzlikin got into the project almost by accident - one of the producers suggested him as a candidate after watching the test tape.
Who could play Fonya?
Initially, actor Sergei Lavygin (known for “The Brigade” and “Capercaillie”) auditioned for the role, but the creators decided that Merzlikin would fit better into the image of a cheerful and charismatic patrolman.
Comparison with the original: “Highway Patrol” vs “CHiPs”
Many people don’t know, but the Russian “Road Patrol” is adaptation of the American TV series "CHiPs"** (1977–1983). Both projects tell about the adventures of motorcycle patrol officers, but the approaches to presenting the material are very different. Let's compare them based on key parameters.
| Criterion | "CHiPs" (USA, 1977–1983) | "Road Patrol" (Russia, 2008–2013) |
|---|---|---|
| Style | More serious, with elements of drama and social themes | More humor, dynamic chases, entertaining format |
| Budget | High for its time, quality tricks | Modest but efficient use of resources |
| Popularity | Cult status in the US, many years of re-runs | One of the highest rated TV series in Russia in the 2010s |
| Realism | More emphasis on police procedures | Emphasis on entertainment, sometimes at the expense of realism |
The American original was more socially oriented: It raised topics of drug addiction, domestic violence and corruption. The Russian version relied on entertainment and dynamics, which ensured her success among a wide audience.
It is curious that in "CHiPs"** the main characters rode motorcycles Kawasaki Z1000, and in the Russian remake - on Yamaha FJR1300. This choice was not accidental: Yamaha provided equipment for filming, which helped reduce the budget.
If you liked Highway Patrol, be sure to check out the original CHiPs - despite the difference in approach, both shows are worth watching.
Hidden details and facts about filming that you didn't know
A lot of interesting things happened behind the scenes of “Highway Patrol” that the audience didn’t even suspect. Here are a few little-known facts that will add to the series' charm.
- 🚔 Real patrol officers advised the actors: For authenticity, the creators invited current traffic police officers who taught the actors how to operate motorcycles and the basics of traffic police.
- 🎥 Some chases were filmed in one take: Due to the limited budget, many stunts were performed without stunt doubles - the actors drove the motorcycles themselves.
- 💥 The most dangerous scene: In one of the episodes Andrey Merzlikin he almost fell off his motorcycle at full speed - the camera captured his frightened face, but the scene was left in the series.
- 🎭 Improvisation on the set: Many of Fonya and Kostya’s funny lines were invented by the actors during filming.
One of the most curious moments occurred during the filming of the episode with the hijacked Mercedes-Benz S-Class. According to the script, the car was supposed to catch fire, but the pyrotechnicians made a mistake with the calculations - the fire turned out to be too strong, and the film crew barely had time to be taken to a safe place.
Another interesting fact: The series was filmed in different cities. The main locations were in Moscow and the Moscow region, but some episodes were filmed in St. Petersburg and even in Sochi (for the “southern” episodes).
☑️ What to do if you decide to review “Highway Patrol”?
Why the series was closed: the real reasons
The ending of Highway Patrol in 2013 came as a surprise to many fans. The series still collected good ratings, but the producers decided to cancel it. What are the real reasons?
It was officially announced that the project exhausted himself creatively, but in fact several factors played a role:
- Falling ratings: If the first seasons attracted 5–7 million viewers, by 2013 the audience had almost halved.
- Actors' fatigue: Andrey Merzlikin and Alexander Golubev admitted that they want to try themselves in new projects.
- Changing formats on TV: By 2013, television began to rely on short series (10-16 episodes), and “Highway Patrol” with its 24 episodes per season no longer fit into the trends.
- Financial issues: The budget for the series increased, but advertising revenues fell - it became unprofitable to support the project.
I wonder what the series finale remains open: Fonya and Kostya leave on motorcycles in an unknown direction, leaving the audience with hope for a continuation. However, the return of the project never happened - despite numerous rumors about a possible reboot.
If you didn’t get enough of “Highway Patrol,” pay attention to the TV series “Capercaillie,” “Foundry,” or “Cop Wars” - they are made in a similar vein.
Where to watch Highway Patrol in 2026?
Even though the series ended more than 10 years ago, it can still be found on various platforms. Here are the current ways to watch all seasons:
- 📺 Television: Repeated periodically on channels NTV, TNT4 and regional networks.
- 🎬 Streaming services: Full seasons available on IVI, Okko And Kinopoisk HD (by subscription).
- 💿 DVD and Blu-ray: The complete collection of the series was released on discs, they can be found on Avito or Ozon.
- 🌍 YouTube and torrents: Individual episodes are sometimes posted on YouTube channels, but the quality may be low. Full seasons can be found on torrent trackers.
If you are planning a revision, we recommend starting with first three seasons - they are the least drawn out and retain the freshness of the idea. But the final episodes (10–12) can be skipped without damaging the plot.
⚠️ Attention! On some pirated sites, the series may be posted in low quality or with cut scenes. If details are important to you, it is better to use legal sources.
FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions about Highway Patrol
Will there be a sequel to "Highway Patrol"?
The return of the series has not been officially announced. In 2020, there were rumors about a possible sequel or reboot, but they were not confirmed. Andrei Merzlikin said in an interview that he would not mind returning to the role, but only if the script is really interesting.
How many episodes are there in "Highway Patrol"?
It was filmed within 5 years of its release. 288 episodes (12 seasons, 24 episodes each). This is one of the longest Russian series.
What motorcycles did the heroes ride?
The main patrol motorcycles are: Yamaha FJR1300. Also appeared in the series Harley-Davidson (from the boss) Kawasaki Ninja (in pursuit) and even Ural with a stroller (in humorous episodes).
Where was the series filmed?
The main filming took place in Moscow and the Moscow region (for example, some scenes were filmed on the Moscow Ring Road and in the city of Pushkino). Several episodes were filmed in St. Petersburg and Sochi.
Why were Fonya and Kostya fired from patrol in the final episodes?
In the story, they were fired for violating an order (they independently began an investigation, which was not part of their responsibilities). This move by the writers caused a mixed reaction among viewers - many did not like this ending for their favorite characters.