Prima’s “Night Operator” Launches with Lukáš Vaculík, But Fails to Generate Initial Buzz
Table of Contents
Prima Television’s highly anticipated crime series, Night Operator, premiered on its prima+ platform in 2025, hoping to revitalize viewership. The series, inspired by a true story, centers around a Prague cardiac surgeon and is already generating discussion – though not necessarily for the reasons the network intended.
A Real-Life Drama Fuels the Narrative
The series draws heavily from a three-year-old event in which a Prague cardiac surgeon successfully performed a record-long direct massage of the heart on a stabbed woman, saving her life. This dramatic incident caught the attention of Prima, particularly given the personal connections involved. The surgeon, Milan Horn, is the ex-husband of Lenka Hornová, Prima’s current content director. According to sources within the network, this personal link played a significant role in bringing the story to the screen.
Lucia V. Kršáková, Prima’s production director and the wife of actor Lukáš Vaculík, co-authored the series’ theme. The script itself is the work of Jitka and Kateřina Bártů, a writing duo previously responsible for several Prima projects, though their overall quality has been a subject of debate. During filming, Horn himself consulted on the medical procedures depicted in the series, ensuring a degree of authenticity.
Lukáš Vaculík’s Star Power Isn’t Enough
Despite the compelling source material and the presence of rising star Lukáš Vaculík, initial reception has been lukewarm. The series garnered a rating of only 50% on the ČSFD professional platform, with only one other series, Temný kraj, achieving a similar score. One analyst noted that Vaculík’s popularity is likely the primary driver of any initial interest, suggesting the series might have struggled to attract an audience without his involvement.
The network clearly hopes Vaculík’s appeal, particularly among female viewers, will translate into sustained viewership. The opening scene immediately establishes a sense of foreboding, depicting a driver navigating treacherous conditions while listening to an ice warning on the radio, foreshadowing potential danger. However, the narrative quickly reveals the driver’s predicament, leaving little to the imagination.
A Predictable Plot and Lack of Tension
The first episode offers minimal mystery, immediately revealing a murder victim. The plot quickly coalesces around the suspicion that the renowned surgeon is, in fact, a serial killer – dubbed the “Night Operator” by investigators. As one critic observed, the narrative leaves little room for speculation.
Several subplots are introduced, such as the coughing of a young detective, Hlaváček (Ondřej Rychlý), and the sale of a cottage by the surgeon’s wife (Lenka Krobotová), but their significance remains unclear. The portrayal of a veteran journalist (Dana Morávková) seeking an exclusive story is also somewhat contrived, with the character’s access to information feeling implausibly easy. A younger, ethically questionable reporter (Denis Šafařík) is then tasked with pursuing the case, fitting a familiar trope of the “human hyena” journalist often seen in Czech cinema.
The introduction of Iva (Elizaveta Maximová), a former patient of the surgeon with a hereditary heart defect, further reinforces the series’ predictable trajectory. Despite the potential for dramatic tension surrounding her unborn child’s surgery, the scene unfolds without significant impact. Ultimately, the launch of Night Operator can be summarized in three words: there is no tension. Even the charismatic Vaculík appears unable to elevate the material.
Night Operator Episode 1
prima+, 2025
directed by: Jitka Bártů
starring: Lukáš Vaculík, Elizaveta Maximová, Ondřej Rychlý, Lenka Vlasáková, Jiří Havelka, Lenka Krobotová, Jan Révai, Robert Nebřenský, Ondřej Malý and others
Rating: 50%
Despite the intriguing premise and a well-known lead, Night Operator’s first episode fails to deliver the suspense and intrigue necessary to captivate audiences.
