Beta Film has unveiled an exhilarating trailer for “Rise of the Raven,” an ambitious 10-part drama series that centers on the significant 15th-century battle that altered the trajectory of Europe. The series will have its world premiere at Mipcom in the Grand Auditorium of Cannes’ Palais des Festivals on October 22.
Based on Bán Mór’s bestselling novels, the drama follows the journey of Hungarian warrior Janos Hunyadi, who triumphed over the Ottoman army in 1456 during the Battle of Belgrade, effectively stopping its advance across Europe and marking a pivotal moment in the continent’s history.
The series is produced by esteemed Canadian producer Robert Lantos’ Serendipity Point Films, known for works like “The Sweet Hereafter,” “Eastern Promises,” and “Crimes of the Future,” alongside Beta Film, a production powerhouse responsible for acclaimed series such as “Gomorrah” and “Babylon Berlin.” Beta is also managing the international representation of the show as part of a robust lineup at Mipcom.
The trailer, shared exclusively, showcases Hunyadi (Kádár L. Gellért) giving an impassioned speech to rally his army against the Ottoman threat, standing alongside his warrior wife, Elizabeth Szilagyi (Vivien Rujder). The narrative also features Hunyadi’s first love, Serbian princess Mara Brankovic (Franciska Töröcsik), who makes a profound sacrifice to save her people by becoming a concubine in Sultan Murad II’s (Murathan Muslu) royal court.
With its themes of love, betrayal, and epic battles, the fate of Europe hangs in the balance. “Rise of the Raven” is being touted as one of the year’s most-anticipated premieres at Mipcom and is heralded as one of the costliest European TV productions to date. Lantos has equated its budget to that of other major productions created for global broadcasters or streaming platforms.
Lantos expressed that in the realm of non-English language productions, this series represents one of the most ambitious endeavors due to its scale, depth, and financial backing. He acknowledged the challenges of securing financing, calling it a miraculous feat, and expressed uncertainty about undertaking a similar project again.
Filming took place in Hungary and at the state-owned NFI Studios near Budapest, with meticulous attention to historical authenticity. Local artisans crafted elaborate sets to authentically depict 15th-century Vienna, Milan, and Edirne, incorporating Belgrade Castle’s impressive fortifications.
For Lantos, the project is deeply personal, stemming from his fascination after reading the first book in the series. He noted the captivating blend of intrigue, romance, and heroism surrounding Hunyadi’s life and that era in Central Europe’s history sparked his desire to bring this story to the screen.
Understanding that the narrative was too expansive for a two-hour film, Lantos embraced the challenge of crafting a series that captures the complexity of the subject matter, emphasizing the significance of representing historical narratives authentically.
He made a conscious choice to avoid conventional casting strategies aimed at global markets, insisting that the most genuine way to depict this historical tale was to honor the languages of the time and cast accordingly.
“Rise of the Raven” benefits from financing from Hungary’s National Film Institute and Beta, with production collaboration from Serendipity Point Films, Twin Media, HG Media, MR Film, and Beta. Co-producers include Hungary’s TV2 Network, which will air the series in Hungary and Slovenia, with Austrian public broadcaster ORF recently announced as a co-producer for the Austrian broadcast.