Ukrainian actress Dariya Leheyda will appear as Vitalina in the adventure series Adventures of Cossack Vyhovsky, premiering on August 31 at 20:20 on television channel 2+2.
Ahead of the broadcast, Leheyda spoke about playing her heroine, collaborating with lead actor Artem Plonder, and navigating unexpected mishaps on the filming set.
Leheyda explained that against the backdrop of difficult current events, she felt drawn to a project featuring adventures, vivid costumes, and a light story filled with underlying meanings and modern parallels.
Her character Vitalina interested her due to her willful nature and multi-layered personality, offering a broad palette for creative acting. Leheyda described Vitalina as a collective representation of women who have yet to accept themselves or locate their self-worth internally rather than seeking external approval.
The actress noted that Vitalina acts as a victim of the fashion influences, trends, and societal opinions of her era. She added that underneath that surface, the character is deeply devoted, gentle, passionate, and strong, but simply has not yet come to know herself.
Challenges on set and filming mishaps
Leheyda recalled that the shooting schedule was intense and frequently demanding. Her most enjoyable day on set involved riding horses, an activity she said she deeply loves.
By contrast, a scene set inside a bathtub proved to be a difficult physical trial. She explained that she had to lie in a hot bath for a prolonged period during extreme heat, leaving her barely conscious when she finally climbed out.
Because many scenes were filmed outdoors in open air, nature introduced additional complications. Birds occasionally soiled the production costumes, creating extra work for the costume department.
Despite those difficulties, the overall atmosphere on set remained lighthearted and playful. Leheyda recalled one scene where she and actor Vitaliy Azhnov, who plays the eccentric inventor Orest, burst into laughter and were unable to regain composure for a long time.
Historical dresses and wardrobe discomforts
Filming the project allowed Leheyda to fulfill a childhood dream of wearing luxurious dresses specifically crafted for her noble character. Her favorite piece was an emerald puffy gown tailored to her exact measurements, decorated with red and white embroidery.
She admitted that wearing corsets and elaborate historical hairstyles was often uncomfortable during production. Nevertheless, period attire remains one of her favorite aspects of the acting profession.
Leheyda stated that historical context in costuming is her greatest passion and expressed a desire to land more roles in historical projects, adding that different historical eras suit her best.
Romantic scenes and lead partnership
The series also features several romantic scenes between Leheyda and Artem Plonder, who plays the title role of Ivan Vyhovsky. Although the two actors met for the first time on this project, Leheyda said they quickly established a strong rapport.
She explained that they were able to agree quickly on how to execute scenes, often completing shots in a single take without needing prior discussion. She added that she felt fortunate with her acting partners throughout the production.
Storyline and broadcast details
Adventures of Cossack Vyhovsky centers on the youth of Ivan Vyhovsky, who later became Hetman of the Zaporozhian Host, a prominent Cossack military state in 17th century Ukraine. The historical action series promises viewers a mix of dangerous adventures, political intrigue, humor, and romance.
The cast is led by Artem Plonder as Vyhovsky, alongside Leheyda, Azhnov, Kataryna Fain, and other Ukrainian performers. The show makes its official debut on August 31 at 20:20 on channel 2+2, a national Ukrainian television network.
