Photo taken from LINK, „Ranczo” materiały prasowe (press kit)

„Ranczo” is one of the most popular Polish TV series, which premiered almost 20 years ago! It was broadcast on TVP1 for over 10 years. Today, episodes can still be watched on other channels like TVP Rozrywka, TVP Polonia, and similar ones. But how did this series gain such recognition, reaching an average audience of over 6 million viewers? What is „Ranczo” about?

„The old war between the mayor and the priest never ends.” – these are the words from the closing song of each episode, which perfectly describe the main plot. The mayor of Wilkowyje and the priest are twin brothers – Paweł and Piotr Kozioł. The mayor is clever, cunning, manipulative, selfish, and dishonest, while Piotr is much more reasonable, balanced, and kind. He is deeply religious and tries to help others. However, they share one common thing – money and power. These interests often become a reason for their conflicts.

But first, the series introduces Lucy Wilska, an American of Polish origin who arrives in Wilkowyje after inheriting an old, ruined manor house from her great-grandmother. She wants to renovate it, which conflicts with the mayor’s plans, as he wanted to buy the manor for his daughter. He tries to discourage Lucy from staying in Wilkowyje, but without success.

Photo taken from LINK, Photo by TVP 

Why do people love „Ranczo”?

The Characters – Showing Human Flaws
Each character in „Ranczo” was unique and felt real, as if they were people we know in everyday life. The mayor and Czerepach are clever and sneaky politicians who will do anything for power. The priest likes money. The „bench gang” enjoys drinking alcohol but often makes very wise observations about life. Więcławski, a businessman, wins all tenders because of his deals with the mayor. Fabian Duda flatters the mayor only to secretly take his position. There are many more examples, but they all show that the characters are just like real people.

As in a satire, the series humorously criticizes human behavior, customs, and social relations by using Polish stereotypes.

The Village – A Fortress of Tradition Undergoing Change
The story takes place in the fictional village of Wilkowyje, which in reality is called Jeruzal. At first, the village and its people seem very traditional and resistant to change. This is something Lucy experiences as a newcomer, as she is completely different from the local community. Despite this, she tries to bring positive changes, such as educational reforms and citizen initiatives. Over time, the series shows that the village is not just a forgotten place but has the potential for growth. The characters evolve, and by the end of the series, their views on life are different from when it all started.

Relevance – Wilkowyje as a „Miniature Poland”

This is probably the greatest success of the creators – „Ranczo” is a great representation of Polish society in a small village. Even years later, the series still accurately portrays Poland’s attachment to religious traditions and superstitions, even if they are not based on facts. This is shown in a humorous way through funny dialogues and scenes. The creators made sure that every viewer could find a character they could relate to. „Ranczo” connects generations.

Photo taken from LINK

The series humorously presents Polish social and political realities, showing both the absurdities of bureaucracy and everyday life in the countryside. Over time, „Ranczo” evolved, touching on more serious topics like local government, rural development, and even high-level politics. The authenticity of the series and the fact that many villages in Poland are similar to Wilkowyje made „Ranczo” a favorite among viewers. If you haven’t watched it yet, I highly recommend it!

Sources: 1,2,3

 2024/2025 © Rafał Staniszewski, Logistyka, II rok, SS,  Akademia Nauk Stosowanych w Koninie