Rise of the Raven (2024): (also known in Hungarian as „Hunyadi” and sometimes referred to as „Hunyadi: Rise of the Raven”) is a historical drama TV series that premiered in Hungary on March 8, 2025. It tells the epic story of János Hunyadi, a fearless warrior and nobleman in 15th-century Hungary.
Here’s a summary of the show:
The series follows Hunyadi’s life from his humble beginnings as the son of a court knight to his rise as a powerful military leader and eventually the Governor of Hungary. It chronicles his relentless struggle against the expanding Ottoman Empire and the political intrigues and power struggles within the Kingdom of Hungary involving noble families from Warsaw, Rome, Belgrade, and Vienna.
A central focus of the show is Hunyadi’s pivotal role in defending Europe against the Ottoman invasion. The series culminates in his most famous victory at the Siege of Belgrade in 1456, where, against overwhelming odds, his forces defeated the much larger Ottoman army, halting their advance towards the Vatican and Western Europe. This victory had a significant impact on the history of Hungary and the entire continent.
The series also delves into Hunyadi’s personal life, including his relationships with his wife, Erzsébet Szilágyi, who is portrayed as a strong supporter and often fights in his place, and his first love, Mara Brankovic, who becomes close to the Ottoman Sultan.
„The Rise of the Raven” aims to be a visually striking and action-packed portrayal of this crucial period in European history, showcasing the multilingual world of the time with characters speaking in their respective languages (Hungarian, Serbian, Turkish, German, etc.).
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Semmelweis (2023): A historical drama about Ignác Semmelweis, a Hungarian doctor who discovered the cause of puerperal fever in the 19th century.