The events of the Russian melodramatic mini-series "Love by Order" unfold in 1988. The main heroine is a talented young actress named Varvara. Wonderful prospects in her profession open up before her. Varvara's personal life is also well arranged - her beloved husband and son await her at home every day. One day, a famous director comes to the production in which Varvara is involved. He singles her out from the entire troupe and approaches her with a tempting business proposal.