Anna Kalyna
Love beats hate, and "The Bachelor Ukraine" is proof of that. Produced by Warner Bros. International and Starlight Media, the reality series sets a new precedent for the franchise, one that embraces resilience, inclusivity, and the realities of modern Ukraine. Showrunner Anna Kalyna spoke with Señal News about the challenges of filming under extreme risk and emphasized the need to spread love amid chaos.
What were the main challenges of producing a romantic reality show in the context of wartime Ukraine?
"Producing a show about love and roses in a country under constant air raid sirens, let's just say, wasn't exactly a fairytale backdrop. One of the biggest challenges was redefining what romance even means in today's Ukraine. For many women here, the ideal partner is no longer just charming, successful, or wealthy; it's someone who can protect, someone who's been through the fire and hasn't lost hope. That's why we chose a war veteran for the leading role. Logistically, we were filming with generator trucks because Kyiv had only a few hours of electricity per day for months. We couldn't shoot outdoors at night because of curfews, and drones were a no-go due to military restrictions. Emotionally, we had to strike a balance: how do you make a show about love without ignoring the war that's reshaping our lives? We leaned into authenticity, showing both the strength and vulnerability of our participants, our Bachelor, and our country."
Why did you decide to produce the entire season in Ukraine despite the risks?
"It was never even a question for us. This season had to be filmed in Ukraine because it was our way of saying, 'We're still here.' We're still dating, laughing, and falling in love, even if our world has changed. We filmed everywhere, from the relatively quiet west of Ukraine to regions just 30–40 kilometers from the front lines. Why? Because that's where people are still living, loving, and surviving. Our audience had also changed; many women sought safety abroad, and those who stayed needed to see themselves reflected in the media. We brought the story to them. Believe me, when you're filming a dating scene, and the air raid alarm goes off mid-take, you remember exactly why this season matters."
What safety precautions were necessary during the production?
"Every location was chosen not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its proximity to shelters and emergency response routes. We worked closely with local authorities and had emergency protocols in place for every shoot. In Kharkiv, a Russian bomb hit the very district we were filming in. It took us several grey hairs and a frantic 20 minutes to reach our team, who, by the way, had resumed interviews as soon as the sirens fell silent. That's Ukraine today: chaos and commitment, side by side."
Why was Oleksandr Teren chosen as the leading role for this season of "The Bachelor"?
"Because he is the story we needed to tell. Oleksandr isn't just a veteran; he's a symbol of what it means to keep going when everything tells you to stop. He's lost both legs but gained an extraordinary life: Invictus Games medalist, author, ballet performer, and accessibility advocate. He has a quiet, magnetic strength that women and viewers immediately respond to. We announced Oleksandr as our Bachelor before we even started casting. Within 24 hours, our site crashed due to excessive traffic. Over 5,000 women applied, many of them trying to bypass the line through direct messaging. That's when we knew we had chosen right."
Do you believe this season could inspire changes in other international versions of The Bachelor franchise?
"I truly hope so. We didn't set out to 'break the mold' globally. We were telling a story that felt urgent and real in our context. The international response has been overwhelming. Oleksandr showed that a man with prosthetics can be sexy, romantic, confident, and very much the hero of a love story. This season proved that you can discuss war, resilience, and healing and still have steamy dates and roses. So yes, if this inspires even one other franchise to rethink what a 'Bachelor' looks like, then we've done something meaningful."
