Rise of a Genius: How Abroad Films Helped Bring Shakespeare, Mozart & Austen to Screen

When the BBC set out to tell the stories of some of the world’s greatest cultural icons, the challenge was clear: these lives have been retold countless times before. Rise of a Genius had to feel fresh, cinematic, and immersive.

Produced by 72 Films for the BBC, the series combines high-end documentary with dramatic recreations, brought to life by acclaimed directors and international as well as local talent.

Abroad Films was proud to play a part in making this possible. As the service production partner in Hungary, we supported three chapters of the series:

• Shakespeare: Rise of a Genius (directed by Julian Jones)

• Mozart: Rise of a Genius (directed by Alice Smith)

• Jane Austen: Rise of a Genius (directed by Ali Naushahi)
  
  

Each production demanded careful location work, historical accuracy, and seamless coordination between UK creatives and Hungarian professionals.

Shakespeare: capturing the raw energy of Elizabethan England

The opening installment, directed by Julian Jones, explores how Shakespeare rose from Stratford to the world stage. Dozens of experts and historians guide the narrative (such as Dame Judi Dench and Jeanette Winterson), while dramatic recreations give viewers a visceral sense of Elizabethan theatre.

Mozart: music, rebellion, and genius on screen

Directed by Alice Smith, this chapter dives into the contradictions of Mozart as both a prodigy and a revolutionary. A lineup of celebrated voices — including Stephen Fry — bring wit and authority to the story, complementing the richly staged Hungarian recreation scenes. Hungary’s contribution was not limited to crew and extras — Hungarian actor Dávid Kerek took a central role in the recreation scenes, helping bring Mozart’s world vividly to life.

Jane Austen: voice of a new era

Directed by Ali Naushahi, Jane Austen: Rise of a Genius focuses on the sharp social observations of one of literature’s most influential novelists. The film draws on an array of cultural figures, from writers to filmmakers, with contributors such as Helen Fielding (Bridget Jones’s Diary) and Ken Loach, among many others. Here, too, Hungarian actors took leading roles:

• Emőke Zsigmond as Jane Austen

• Vivien Rujder

• Adél Jordán

These casting choices highlight the depth of local talent, with Hungarian actors not only filling supporting roles but embodying the central figures of the story.

Hungarian crew behind the camera

Abroad Films’ contribution extended well beyond logistics. A wide range of Hungarian creatives shaped the productions:

• Casting Director: Beatrix Nemesházi, Zsófia Előd

• Production Designer: Réka Hársfalvi

• Art Director: Ferenc Szakács

• Costume Designer: Ibolya Bárdosi

• Makeup Department: Bettina Budavári (makeup artist), Eduard Vörös (hair stylist), Ernella Hortobágyi, Ildikó Ambrus, Emese Mettler, Mónika Tóth

• Production Manager: Dániel Rozgonyi, Fruzsina Kalamár

• Costume & Wardrobe: Róbert Kuhár (assistant costume designer), Ágnes Mecseki (seamstress), Tímea Oláh (assistant costume designer)
  
  

This collaboration between international directors and local departments — casting, art, costume, hair & makeup, sound — shows just how essential Hungary’s crew was in realizing these ambitious productions.

Service production at its best

What unites these three productions is more than their subject matter. Each required a reliable partner to handle logistics, crew, and local know-how so the directors and creative teams could focus on storytelling. That’s where Abroad Films came in.

Working with 72 Films and the BBC, we provided the infrastructure and talent that turned ambitious scripts into striking screen experiences — whether recreating Shakespeare’s theatre, echoing Mozart’s genius, or giving voice to Jane Austen.

Why it matters

For us, Rise of a Genius was more than a set of productions. It was a chance to help reinterpret timeless cultural figures for a new generation of audiences. Projects like this highlight why Hungary has become such a valued destination for international productions: the combination of world-class crew, versatile locations, and experienced service partners.

All three of the Rise of a Genius series is now streaming on BBC iPlayer.