Hungarian blockbuster Hunyadi series breaks records and makes its way to America – VIDEO
The blockbuster Hunyadi series, based on the novels of Bán Mór, has shattered viewership records with its epic depiction of the life of János Hunyadi, from serving Emperor and King Sigismund to his world-renowned victory at the Battle of Belgrade and his death just weeks later. The show strays from strict historical accuracy but dazzles with Hollywood-style spectacle.
The series has already been a hit in multiple countries
According to a post from the National Film Institute, the ten-episode drama chronicling the life of the Hungarian regent will be available on two Canadian streaming platforms starting in September.
The series has already been on Netflix for several months. Prior to this, the Hungarian superproduction captivated audiences in Italy (RAI), Croatia (HRT), Germany (Telekom Deutschland), Slovakia (STVR), Switzerland (Blue TV), Israel (YES), Slovenia, and the Czech Republic. It was also aired on Austria’s ORF, where it performed strongly despite the show’s notably one-sided and negative portrayal of Emperor Frederick III.
A standout feature of the series is its commitment to linguistic authenticity—characters speak their native languages, such as Serbian, German, and Italian. While they use modern versions of these languages rather than historically accurate ones, the choice enhances accessibility without sacrificing immersion. This multilingual approach may appeal to North American viewers as well.
Hunyadi set to premiere in the U.S. and Canada
North American audiences will get their first look at the series—titled Rise of the Raven in English—at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) from 4–14 September. Part of the Primetime section, this adaptation nods to the Hunyadi family crest: a raven holding a ring in its beak. It will be the festival’s only Hungarian-Austrian-German co-production.
Following its TIFF debut, the series will be available for streaming in Canada via CBC’s CBC GEM platform.
Here’s the trailer in case you haven’t seen it yet:
Read more on this topic:
- For whom the church bells toll at noon: János Hunyadi’s brilliant military innovations against the Ottomans
- Unbelievable finding: the genetic heritage of the Hunyadi family has been discovered!
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