Valentina Rubtsova, the actress known for her roles in the Russian sitcoms "Univer" and "SashaTanya", has revealed that she went through a period of severe depression brought on by a lack of acting work, according to Russia's Public News Service (OSN).
Rubtsova, who spent years typecast by the recognizable image she built on the cult teen sitcom, said there came a point in her career when the work simply stopped coming.
A Month or Two of Depression
Rubtsova said that for a month or two she was in a severe depressive state. She said she was supported through it by a close person who believed in her.
She said the negative thoughts eased once she began receiving invitations to work in other entertainment formats, which she described as opening a new chapter in her life.
Typecasting is a familiar hurdle for actors who become closely identified with one hit show, and Rubtsova's account suggests the problem went beyond public perception, extending to the casting opportunities offered to her afterward.
From Univer to SashaTanya
"Univer" is a long-running Russian sitcom that follows a group of university students and premiered on the TNT channel, turning its young cast, including Rubtsova, into recognizable faces across the country. Its spin-off, "SashaTanya", built on that popularity and went on to become one of Russian television's most-watched comedy series, further cementing the on-screen image Rubtsova described struggling to move past.
OSN, the Public News Service, is a Russian outlet that covers entertainment and public affairs news.
Named on Ukraine's Peacemaker List
The report noted that Rubtsova was previously named a threat to Ukraine's national security. Her inclusion on the "Peacemaker" (Mirotvorets) website's list was linked to her public stance and creative work, according to the report.
Mirotvorets is a website that publishes the personal data of individuals it considers a threat to Ukraine's national security. It has featured journalists, artists and other public figures, and press freedom groups have criticized it for endangering those listed by publishing addresses and other personal information.
