After just three episodes, HBO’s five-part series,Chernobyl, has overtaken David Attenborough’sPlanet Earthas the highest rated TV show in history.

In Australia, viewers can watch the series online for free on Foxtel by signing up for a 10-day free trial if you don’t have a subscription already.

The timing is such that you have ample opportunity to see all five episodes before your trial ends, and according to all the reviews of the show, it’s more than worth it.

Watch the trailer for Chernobyl below:

The mini-series focuses on the events of the catastrophic 1986 nuclear power plant disaster in Pripyat, northern Ukraine, in which a sudden power surge destroyed the structure in seconds and released a cloud of radioactive dust that extended as far as the United States.

So far, the show has explored the accident itself, as well as the immediate aftermath which required local workers to expose themselves to harmful levels of radiation in order to prevent further tragedy.

On IMDB,Chernobylis currently rated 9.7, with a number of online reviews from people who grew up in the Soviet Union writing, “they got it right”.

“Every little detail of the buildings, flats, uniforms, clothes, cars… almost everything is 99% identical to the real things of the time,” wrote one review.

“The series [manages] to depict the horrible events in a way never before seen,” read another. “I had to literally pause a couple of times to comprehend what had just been shown.

“Goose bumps and tears, what a masterpiece. Likvidatory – heroes, who contained Chernobyl – should never be forgotten. The tragedy will live forever because of this haunting masterpiece, what a brilliant creative achievement.”

Elsewhere,Chernobylhas been described as “thought provoking,” with the potential to stop you from sleeping. Even if you thought you knew the story about what happened on that day in April, 1986, this series makes you realise: you have no idea.

Here are some of the online reactions to the series so far:

What watching #Chernobyl does to my Google history pic.twitter.com/Jri0zXgtWw

— Nicole McCarthy (@NMcCarthy101) May 24, 2019

When Lyudmilla keeps touching her husband #Chernobyl pic.twitter.com/T1yHFO9Ejr

— Hk (@MrNoGuts) May 21, 2019

#Chernobyl characters and their health status to date (mostly dead). pic.twitter.com/azJ9oFm504

— Flying Dervish (@fly_dervish) May 24, 2019

I told my father about #ChernobylHBO. He said that after the first rain in the time following the accident they had to throw out all the cows’ milk for several days, because the government detected radiation in it. We live in Hungary, about 1100 km from #Chernobyl.

— Fehérvári Ágnes (@blooomey81) May 21, 2019

If you haven’t got into #Chernobyl yet you are missing the best TV drama in years.

— Ian Hyland (@HylandIan) May 21, 2019

Me at the end of every scene. #chernobyl #ChernobylHBO pic.twitter.com/1ydmDG2ucI

— Playa pleathe (@ShinobiBNW) May 21, 2019

me after watching #Chernobyl pic.twitter.com/xHLHYiraOP

— mj (@mjsaqui) May 23, 2019

#Chernobyl I ve never seen anything like it. The cast and crew are literally taking us back to the time when it actually happened. The place is a disaster of epic proportions and can only say RIP to all the brave people who laid down their lives to save millions ????

— AngryRavi (@ravikiran248) May 22, 2019

#Chernobyl is so good, I can hardly stand waiting a week for each episode. It’s super intense and there’s this eerie feeling that comes along, like I might get radiation poisoning just from watching it. pic.twitter.com/iqqKl7in4l

— Juno Darling (@JunoDarling) May 22, 2019

Started watching #Chernobyl This bird is just the beginning. pic.twitter.com/CJZU04tD2j

— Al – Mamun (@MamunCaCa) May 25, 2019

I would rather see a solid hour of radiation burns than implied puppy deaths ???? fuuuck #Chernobyl

— ????Ser Brienne of Tarth???? (@laceymzombie) May 28, 2019

This….”show”……is the most extraordinary and horrifyingly relevant piece of work out there right now. In #Chernobyl on HBO, @clmazin presents a devastating cautionary tale where Party Line, “faith” and politics trump facts. It is tough to watch, but don’t miss it. Bravo!

— Charles Shaughnessy (@C_Shaughnessy) May 21, 2019

The next episode ofChernobylairs on Tuesday, May 28 on Foxtel.

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