The Hunyadi series marks a defining moment for Hungarian cinema, as highlighted by Csaba Káel, Government Commissioner responsible for the development of Hungary’s motion picture industry. Speaking at a press conference in Budapest, Káel described the production as a groundbreaking achievement within the national film sector, owing to its scale, ambition, and international collaboration.
The creation of Hunyadi was not without its challenges. According to Káel, the decision-making period for the series was particularly difficult, given its status as a superproduction. The ten-part historical drama, realized as an international co-production, required substantial financial backing beyond the support of the National Film Institute to come to fruition.
Producers Robert Lantos and Tibor Kriskó, alongside the entire creative team, recognized the immense responsibility of portraying the legacy of János Hunyadi—a figure unlikely to be the subject of another large-scale production for decades to come. ‘Such grand and powerful storytelling has never before been attempted in the history of Hungarian cinema,’ Káel remarked, adding that the crew accomplished numerous feats that had never been realized in a domestic production. He further noted that the casting process revealed the abundance of talented Hungarian actors, many of whom will now have the opportunity to showcase their skills on the global stage.
Significantly, Hunyadi was never conceived solely for Hungarian audiences. Káel emphasized that the involvement of international partners and actors broadens the series’ appeal, attracting viewers from countries such as Austria, Germany, Serbia, Turkey, and Italy, where local stars have participated in the project. The collaboration between Hungarian and international actors has produced a series that can proudly stand alongside major productions filmed in Hungary, such as The Borgias and The Witcher. With over twenty thousand professionals working in the Hungarian film industry—many of whom have proven themselves in global productions—the series has provided an opportunity to tell a distinctly Hungarian story in a manner that resonates worldwide.
Executive producer Robert Lantos recalled advising the scriptwriters five years ago to avoid depicting Hunyadi János as a flawless saint. Instead, the goal was to present him as a complex, flesh-and-blood character defined as much by his imperfections as by his virtues. Gellért L Kádár, who portrays Hunyadi, echoed this sentiment, noting his desire to portray not only a warrior and leader but also a man marked by human vulnerability. Similarly, Franciska Törőcsik, who plays Brankovics Mara, remarked that the creators prioritized human stories and authentic characters, enabling the audience to identify with the historical figures. She stressed that the series does not seek to promote the notion of Hungarian exceptionalism or to draw simplistic distinctions between heroes and villains. ‘Everyone has their own truth in this story,’ she observed, noting that the same forces of politics, passion, and love that drove people in the past continue to resonate today.
The Hunyadi series, spanning ten episodes, tells the remarkable story of the celebrated Hungarian military leader János Hunyadi, chronicling his pivotal battles, personal struggles, and the political intrigue of 15th-century Hungary and Europe.
Altogether, the production involved 600 Hungarian and international actors and stunt performers, with numerous scenes filmed at the National Film Institute’s Fót studios, where a detailed medieval set was constructed specifically for the series.
Following its highly acclaimed international premiere at MIPCOM in Cannes, one of the most prestigious global television and film industry events, Hunyadi has become the first Hungarian project to partner with leading global media company Beta Film GmbH.
The series debuts on TV2 on 8 March with a double-episode premiere.
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