Premiering on CBC Gem this week, Rise of the Raven is an ambitious 10-part historical drama that focuses on the life of 15th-century commander János Hunyadi. The series traces his journey from childhood tragedy to military legend.
The production was based on the Hungarian novel series Hunyadi by Mór Bán, and the lead writer of the TV series is Balázs Lengyel who is also the showrunner for the series.
Lengyel and producer Robert Lantos work alongside an impressive international cast, led by Gellért L. Kádár as Janos Hunyadi, Franciska Törőcsik as Mara Branković, Vivien Rujder as Erzsébet Szilágyi, and Elena Rusconi as Giulietta di Brienza. Rade Šerbedžija also lends his acting expertise in the role of the Despot of Serbia, also Mara’s father, a character that sets off a series of betrayals that will propel the story.
As this is a dramatization of Janos Hunyadi’s life, a village boy from Transylvania who becomes the fearless and much feared commander of the Kingdom of Hungary, we see key points in his life such as defending his country from waves of Ottoman incursions. These ongoing battles come to a head in the Battle of Belgrade in 1456, where he defeats the mighty Ottoman Empire’s army. In honour of his victory, the Pope decrees that church bells shall ring at noon each day… and 569 years later, they still do.
In Rise of the Raven, each episode builds on the push and pull between power and loyalty. It also focuses on key characters like Hunyadi’s first love, Mara forced into the Sultan’s harem, and his wife Erzsébet who refuses to remain in the shadows. The series does a good job in showing the shifting allegiances among kings, popes, and other tyrants that determine the future of Europe. From the battleground to the most intimate moments in Hunyadi’s life, the show gives the audience plenty of emotional drama alongside political and military games.
During the series premiere at TIFF, the show’s producer, showrunner and cast members shared about their experience in creating this series.
Rise of the Raven features a solid ensemble cast, multilingual dialogue, elaborate period settings, and a story that will appeal to a wide audience.
If you’re drawn to large historical sagas with plenty of emotion, this series is for you. Rise of the Raven will be available on CBC Gem starting September 19, 2025.
