Czech Television Crime Series Hec Draws One Million Viewers
The six-part crime miniseries None premiered on ČT1 on Sunday, October 25, drawing 1,032,000 viewers aged 15 and older to win the 8:00 p.m. time slot across all major demographic groups, according to data from ATO published by MediaGuru. The premiere achieved a 27.89% audience share, outperforming competing broadcasts on Nova and Prima.
In the 15-to-54 demographic, the first episode recorded 287 tisíc viewers and a 22.60% share, while viewers aged 18 to 69 reached 641 tisíc with a 26.54% share. TV Nova placed second in the time slot with Cases of the extraordinary Martha, which attracted 763 tisíc viewers over age 15 for a 21.07% share. Prima’s program Traitors followed with 358 tisíc viewers and a 10.21% share among older audiences, though it performed stronger among younger viewers with a 15.50% share.
Arson Destruction of a Wooden Church Sets the Plot
Written and directed by Michal Samir, the miniseries centers on the burning of a wooden church in the fictional border village of Kouty, an event that uncovers human remains in the ruins. The narrative pulls Alena Kočí, portrayed by Petra Hřebíčková, back to her native region where she faces local distrust and unresolved personal history.
The production constructed the wooden church in the forests above Louchov in just 65 days at a cost of approximately four million crowns. The actual burning of the structure required precise execution during filming because the crew had only a single take, generating enough heat to snap the steel cable securing the church tower.
The storyline blends a police investigation with a dark family and community portrait. The cast features Stanislav Majer as local priest Vojtek, Milena Steinmasslová as church helper and mother to the lead detective, and Jaromír Dulava as patriarch of the religious Majewski family. Additional cast members include Juraj Loj, Jana Plodková, Magdaléna Borová, Vasil Fridrich, and Petr Uhlík.
Atmospheric Production and Critical Reception
The series establishes a dense, brooding atmosphere within an isolated community defined by trauma, prejudice, and sectarian tension. Reviewer Milan Rozšafný awarded the first two episodes an 80% rating.
“But don’t expect a classic detective story.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Hec
Where was the series filmed and when do new episodes air?
The production filmed in the forests above Louchov, including a specially constructed wooden church. New episodes broadcast weekly on Sunday evenings on ČT1, with episodes also made available on the internet platform iVysílání.
Who wrote and directed the miniseries?
Michal Samir wrote and directed all six episodes of the miniseries. He previously worked on the miniseries Iveta.
What role does the Majewski family play in the story?
The Majewskis operate as an insular, Polish-speaking religious family living under strict patriarchal rules enforced by a character played by Jaromír Dulava. Their insular lifestyle and dogmatic traditions add a layer of tension to the police investigation following the church fire.