Canal+ first Czech series begins production

The first series produced under the Canal+ Original banner, Daughter of the Nation has begun filming in Prague.

The show was first announced in May 2023, and follows Zdeňka Havlíčková (played by Antonie Formanová), the daughter of pioneering Czech journalist Karel Havlíček Borovský. After his death, Czech revivalists try to shape Zdeňka into a symbol of Czech culture and a marketing tool upon which to build the nation. However, Zdeňka's romance with a Polish officer in the Austrian army alters her public image from adored child to traitor.

The series navigates her dilemma between following her heart and conforming to societal expectations by marrying into a reputable Czech family. Borovský, recognised as the founder of Czech journalism, satire and literary criticism, and his daughter Havlíčková are important 19th-century figures in the Czech cultural narrative. Havlíčková, referred to as the “daughter of the nation” as a result of her being the daughter of a national icon, embodies a significant symbol of Czech national pride and identity.

Speaking to our sister site Screen in July, Daughter of the Nation's Matej Chlupacek and Maja Hamplova said the series was a chance to use Czech talent to tell Czech stories. “We were always replicating stuff,” says Chlupacek. “You can make a good detective story, comedy, or sci-fi; but how is it new? It’s about coming up with films, subjects and themes that are unique to our territory, that can sell who we really are.”

Daughter of the Nation is being produced by CANAL+, Barletta Production and Czech Television.

In April 2023, Canal+, the French television and streaming company, expanded into Slovakia and Czech Republic. Jacques du Puy, CEO of CANAL+ International said in a statement: “The Czech Republic and Slovakia are important markets for the group. This launch is the result of our strategy initiated a year ago through the broadcasting of Premier League, aimed to offer a complete range of premium content (sports and series in particular) in Czech Republic as well as in Slovakia, under the CANAL+ brand.”