Medieval Castles and Modern Stardom: Behind the Series Kings Can Do Everything
Comedian Maxim Galkin, widely recognized in Russia as a foreign agent, shared archival footage on Instagram from the filming of the series Kings Can Do Everything. The images show an actress on the grounds of a medieval castle in Ukraine. The post arrived amid ongoing debates about national status and media influence, highlighting how entertainment projects intersect with political narratives and regulatory actions in different regions.
The project, which borrows its title from a song by Alla Pugacheva, was shot in 2015. Principal production took place in Ukrainian towns including Kamianets-Podilskyi and Hotyn, with the castle seen in the photographs serving as a key visual setting that anchors the series in a historic landscape. This setting enhances the contrast between contemporary characters and a backdrop steeped in centuries of history, a theme that resonates with audiences curious about how ancient locales can frame modern storytelling.
Beyond Galkin, the cast featured Alexander Baliev, Maria Semkina, and Polina Filonenko. The narrative follows a Moscow-based manager named Misha Nikolaev who is thrust into a new life when he is replaced by a fictional medieval duke named Michael Cunningham. In this altered reality, Misha develops a romance with Diana, Michael’s sister, while Michael himself becomes romantically involved with Misha’s associate Kira. The series uses these entanglements to explore power dynamics, cultural clashes, and the humor found in mismatched worlds colliding across time periods [Cited production notes].
Filming in the Ukrainian countryside and historic towns offered a distinctive atmosphere, allowing the creators to weave a sense of timelessness into the contemporary arc of the story. The interplay between the modern cityscape of Moscow and the ancient fortifications of Kamianets-Podilskyi and Hotyn provides a visual dialogue about identity, belonging, and the way history informs present-day relationships. The project’s aesthetic choices underscore how a medieval setting can amplify themes of ambition, loyalty, and destiny that propel the characters through a tapestry of romantic and strategic entanglements [Production archive].
For viewers, the series presents a blend of lighthearted intrigue and social commentary. The casting choices and the historical locations contribute to a broader conversation about how popular culture reflects shifts in political climates and media landscapes, including how international co-productions navigate regional reception and regulatory environments. The archival footage shared by Galkin serves as a reminder that much of what is produced for viewers is also a product of complex collaborations, historical reverberations, and the evolving tastes of audiences across North America and beyond [Industry analysis].
As with many productions involving cross-border talent and filming venues, the project invites audiences to consider not only the on-screen drama but also the real-world contexts that shape it. The intersections of entertainment, regulation, and cultural memory become part of the viewing experience, offering a layered perspective on how stories travel from studios to screens while echoing the locations that inspired them [Cultural commentary].