The Ivanovs vs. The Ivanovs

Two families named Ivanov in southern Russia are forced to question everything when a decades-old mix-up at the maternity hospital comes to light, implying their sons were swapped at birth. The revelation upends daily life as teenagers, parents, and neighbors reckon with who was raised where and what that means for identity and loyalty. One boy finds himself awash in comforts his birth family never knew, the other must cope with a harsher, more modest existence. The series mines those clashes for humor, leaning on awkward reunions, clashing habits, and the messy negotiations that follow when blood ties and parenting history point in different directions.

Released in 2017, the show was created by Vitaly Shlyappo and directed by Mikhail Solovyov. The principal cast includes Mikhail Trukhin as Aleksey, Anna Ukolova as Lida, Aleksey Lukin as Ivan, Yuriy Itskov as Viktor Alekseevich, and Aleksandr Oblasov.

Audience response has been generally positive, reflected in a 7.6/10 average from 30 votes. Viewers often highlighted the ensemble chemistry and situational humor, especially scenes that contrast parenting styles and social expectations. The series taps into themes of family identity, class difference, the role of upbringing versus genetics, and adolescent awkwardness, keeping a light tone while letting characters argue, adapt, and occasionally surprise one another.

As part of a wave of Russian family comedies that use social contrast for laughs, the show offered a familiar but effective setup. Its awkward, easily shareable moments found an audience online, and the swapped-child premise made it a simple reference point for conversations about parenting, regional attitudes, and everyday privilege in contemporary Russia.

There are no widely reported international awards for the series. Any recognition appears to have been modest and oriented toward audience interest rather than major television prizes or prominent festival honors.