Czech television is preparing to unveil a six-episode miniseries, Spřízněná duše (Soul Mate), inspired by the true story of a marriage fraudster and the three women he deceived. The series, slated for release on the Oneplay platform in – though some sources suggest – promises a narrative that begins as a romantic drama and evolves into a cautionary tale.
Jakub Prachař will star in the series, taking on the role of the conman at the center of the story. The project is directed by Tereza Kopáčová, known for her work on Studna and Případ Roubal, and produced by Oneplay and TV Nova.
Three Lives, One Lie
The story centers around three women from different walks of life – Táňa, a butcher; Lída, a postwoman; and Mirka, a part-time worker who is pregnant. All three are simultaneously involved with Milan Bareš, unaware of each other’s existence. Táňa is newly in love, experiencing the excitement of a fresh relationship with a man who seems to genuinely value her. Mirka is anticipating the arrival of their child and dreams of a future in Prague, where Bareš has reportedly been renovating an apartment for them. Lída views Bareš as a casual lover, oblivious to the emotional vulnerability he will exploit.
Each woman perceives a different facet of Bareš’s personality, and none see the deception at the core of his actions. The series aims to portray the gradual unraveling of trust and the devastating consequences of his manipulation.
From Romance to a Disturbing Truth
Director Kopáčová, according to reports, is approaching the subject matter with sensitivity, aiming to avoid judgment and instead explore the circumstances that allow such deception to occur. She intends for the initial episodes to have a light, almost comedic tone, gradually shifting towards darker and more challenging territory as the truth emerges. “You have to go through the journey with them,” Kopáčová explained, “You have to see what they saw, and that’s a thoughtful man who listens to them, who is interested and makes them feel safe.”
The series will initially present Bareš as a charismatic and attentive partner, making it understandable why the women would fall for his charm. Only by experiencing the story through their eyes can viewers fully grasp the insidious nature of his manipulation and how easily one can become vulnerable to such schemes.
Prachař as You’ve Never Seen Him
Jakub Prachař, typically known for playing sympathetic characters, is taking on a role that demands a departure from his usual persona. Milan Bareš is described as a manipulator, a liar, and someone who deliberately inflicts emotional harm. To prepare for the role, Prachař underwent a physical transformation, shortening his hair and gaining 15 kilograms. He reportedly embraced the physical changes, finding it liberating to not focus on dieting.
The series explores the question of how one individual can deceive so many women simultaneously. Bareš’s method relies on active listening, avoiding conflict, and consistently agreeing with his partners. He never directly asks for money, instead subtly hinting at problems and allowing the women to offer financial assistance, framing it as a natural expression of their care and concern.
Tomáš Hruška, the creative producer, emphasized that the project is not intended to be moralizing. He believes that falling in love is not foolish and that experiencing emotions is not a sign of weakness. The series aims to portray the women as ordinary people who trusted someone they shouldn’t have, a situation that can happen to anyone.
Why It Matters to Tell This Story
The creators deliberately chose to focus on the perspective of the victims, highlighting the emotional toll of the deception. The series is based on the real-life case of a man who defrauded 32 women out of a total of 18 million Czech crowns and was subsequently sentenced to 9.5 years in prison. While the series focuses on the stories of three women, the underlying message remains the same: trust, but verify.
The production team deliberately avoided creating a simple crime drama or comedy, opting instead to explore the complexities of manipulation and the abuse of trust. Hruška noted that similar cases are unfortunately common, and he was fascinated by the extent of the damage one person can inflict on others without regard for their feelings. This motivated the team to tell the story from the viewpoints of multiple women, offering a more comprehensive and nuanced portrayal of the situation.
The series Spřízněná duše is expected to premiere on the Oneplay platform in (or potentially ).
