Czech television stations are currently producing a number of projects that will premiere later this year or early next year. As usual, the dramaturgy is trying to cater to the most popular genre among domestic viewers, so crime themes predominate. However, there will also be some lighter genres.
The latest announced new release is the miniseries Dešťová hůl. Czech Television has just started filming it, with the crew heading to České Budějovice and the surrounding area, for example. The three-part project is based on the bestselling book of the same name by Jiří Hájíček. This powerful rural novel tells the story of a personal crisis, land ownership and the dramatic transformation of the contemporary countryside.
The author has taken on the role of screenwriter for the first time in his career and, as he admits, it has taken a lot of effort. However, after many drafts, he believes that the story has enormous cinematic potential and that the characters have become even more profound.
The director is the respected filmmaker Bohdan Sláma. The main character, Zbyněk Polecký, will be played by Kryštof Hádek, alongside Jenovéfa Boková and Petra Špalková. The adaptation will premiere in 2027. If it is successful, another of Hájíček's books, Rybí krev, about the displacement and demolition of villages to make way for a nuclear power plant, could also be adapted for television.
Real criminal cases sometimes inspire two stations simultaneously. This is demonstrated by the case of the so-called Kutná Hora sect, which served as the basis for Prima's upcoming series with the working title My nejsme sekta. It is directed by Andrea Sedláčková and produced by Good TV, which has created series such as ZOO, Slunečná and Modrý kód.
The same subject matter is being covered by a planned six-part series on the Oneplay platform with the working title Stoupenkyně. The story explores in detail the dark corners of the human mind, manipulation and delusions. The series for Nova is being prepared by the production company Barletta under the leadership of producers Matěj Chlupáček and Maja Hamplová.
The screenplay was written by Miro Šifra and Tereza Oľhová, with Tereza Kopáčová and Adam Martinec sharing directing duties. The creative producers of the platform are Michal Reitler and Michal Prokeš. The uniqueness of the project lies in its close collaboration with the family of one of the accused women. The daughter of the accused sees the filming as an opportunity to establish an organisation to help victims of sects and extremist movements. This initiative is being developed with the direct support of Nova TV.
The painful clash of an individual with a cold state system is the subject of the new original series Táta. The six-part drama for the Prima streaming service follows Jaroslav Bittner, a disabled pensioner. A murderer takes away his 17-year-old son. However, the court declares the perpetrator insane and sends him only to protective treatment. The broken father refuses to accept the verdict and begins an exhausting fight for justice.
Michal Samir took on the role of director and screenwriter, casting David Novotný in the lead role. He is joined by František Sládek, Nikola Kylarová, Kryštof Bartoš, Pavla Beretová and Václav Kopta. The project is produced by Barletta. It was filmed in authentic locations in northern Bohemia, mainly in Varnsdorf and Nový Bor.
The raw reality will also be brought to the screen in the nine-part series Kamarád, produced by Czech Television. The iVysílání internet platform will broadcast it during 2026. The story is based on authentic testimonies and police files from a school hiking club. It maps in detail the dangerous manipulation and abuse of trust between adults and adolescents.
"We decided that each episode would be dedicated to a different character and thus a different narrative perspective. And so, with each episode, we show what this social helplessness consisted of," said creative producer Kateřina Ondřejková about the project.
The aim is to show why it is difficult for young people to recognise the boundaries of friendship and how difficult it is for those around them to respond to such situations – from school to parents to the justice system.
Petr Pylypčuk is responsible for the script and direction, while Tomáš Feřtek, an experienced author of stories set in school environments, is the dramaturge. Viewers can look forward to performances by Matouš Ruml, Jakub Jenčík, Denisa Barešová and Kristýna Leichtová. Czech Television producer Tereza Polachová adds that only open discussion and clear identification of the problem can contribute to effective prevention in society.
The highly successful crime miniseries Docent is preparing for a big comeback. Director Jiří Strach began filming the third instalment last autumn. Fans can look forward to the familiar cast. Ivan Trojan returns as Docent Stehlík, Ondřej Vetchý commands the Prague homicide squad, and Tereza Ramba builds her career as the distracted Captain Fousová.
This time, the script was written exclusively by former criminal investigator Josef Mareš. The cases of a missing married couple and an influential businessman are based directly on his rich police experience. Mareš promises carefully crafted details and unexpected twists.
Filming took the crew to Liberec, Kladno and the Švihov Dam, among other locations. Director Strach prepared demanding stunts, diving and complex car scenes for cinematographer Martin Šec and the actors. Viewers should see the third series later this year.
A completely new look at the world of crime is promised by the eight-part series Inspekce, another new addition to the Prima streaming platform. It is unique in that it takes viewers directly behind the scenes of the General Inspection of Security Forces (GIBS). This closed and little-known institution is even directly involved in the preparation of the scripts.
The procedural crime series is directed by David Laňka. The main character is the idiosyncratic police officer Adam Volf, played by Vojtěch Dyk. He is transferring from his position as an elite detective at the anti-drug headquarters to the inspection department. His new analytical partner, Dana Majerová, will be played by Kristýna Ryška.
Each episode will feature a self-contained case inspired by real life. The series is being produced by Lumivod, which has chosen locations in the Litoměřice region in addition to Prague for filming. Producers Jindřich Motýl and Martin Růžička want to show viewers "the effective mechanisms that keep the armed forces healthy and functional."
Nova will also air the third season of a successful crime series, in this case combined with the comedy genre. Případy mimořádné Marty will return to the screens. The central duo will once again be played by Tatiana Dyková as the indomitable Marta and Roman Zach as the dry-witted Captain Kreiner.
The eight new episodes are once again being produced by Evolution Films and directed by Marek Najbrt and Tomáš Petříček. The series is based on a French original. Zdeněk Jecelín, Aneta Sláma Honzková and Helena Koblischová worked on the script. During fifty days of filming in Prague and the Central Bohemian Region, the crew visited a Vietnamese wedding, a recording studio and a medical faculty.
Among the lighter genres is an eight-part new series from TV Nova called Muži v letu. It tells the intricate story of three ageing lifelong friends who share a passion for ultralight aircraft. Petr Nikolaev took on the role of director. The central trio of friends was enthusiastically played by Pavel Zedníček, Miroslav Donutil and Bolek Polívka, former classmates from the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts.
The series features a number of other stars. Milena Steinmasslová plays Zedníček's wife, Veronika Freimanová becomes Bolek Polívka's wife in the series, and 90-year-old Libuše Švormová plays Miroslav Donutil's energetic mother. The story was conceived by Hanka Kousalová, and the screenplay was written by Lucie Konečná and Martin Šimíček. The series is being produced for Nova by MEGG Film. The crew worked at Buranos Aires Airport on Krkavčí Mountain and in the picturesque surroundings of Karlštejn.
For younger viewers, Czech Television has prepared a six-part half-hour series called Filter. The story of fifteen-year-old Matty captures the painful transition from primary to secondary school. The script was written and directed by promising creator David Semler. Young actors Antonio Šoposki, Adam Buš and Daniel Šíp gathered in front of the camera in Brno and the surrounding area. Martha Issová and Simona Peková represent the experienced acting generation. The creators promise vividly portrayed characters, fast-paced action and sensitive integration of queer themes without unnecessary moralising.
TV Barrandov stands out from the parade of upcoming original productions, filming a brand new lifestyle reality show since the beginning of February this year. The programme is called Holky v akci. It will be a classic light-hearted show in which selected contestants will compete to see who can dress best for various social and everyday occasions. The entire programme will be hosted by Roman Buťa. The role of the main expert and uncompromising judge in the reality show will be taken on by sought-after personal stylist Petra Kasalová.
Source: lupa.cz