Exclusive: Behind 'His Holy Obsession' — High-Risk Shoots, Powerful Music, and the Scenes That Pushed the Cast to the Limit

"His Holy Obsession" tells a story of love in impossible circumstances—but bringing it to life was just as challenging. Behind the scenes, the cast and crew faced grueling scenes, powerful musical moments, and real-world risks that shaped the drama.

There’s something gripping about a story that brings together two people who should never be together. “His Holy Obsession” builds on that tension—a priest trying to stay true to his faith, and a woman trying to escape a dangerous past. Their connection feels wrong, risky, and impossible to ignore.

But what viewers see on screen is only part of the story.

Behind the scenes, the series took just as much effort and risk to create. From physically exhausting performances to emotionally heavy music scenes, and even filming under real-life danger, “His Holy Obsession” pushed its cast and crew in every way.

With exclusive access from AMO Pictures, we take a closer look at how the series came together.

The poster for "His Holy Obsession" | Source: AMO Pictures

A Story About Opposites

At the center of the series is Lisa, a young woman trying to leave behind a life tied to crime, and Father Christopher, a priest who has already walked away from a troubled past. Their worlds collide in Mafia City, a place where power and danger are always close.

The cast brings these characters to life:

• Oleksandra Pankova as Lisa Stone
• Maksym Samchyk as Father Christopher Crow
• Maksym Devizorov as Dante Crow
• Anton Solovey as Luca Morelli
• Stanislava Krasovska as Sister Amelia River
• Petro Krylov as Vittorio

Oleksandra Pankova, who portrays Lisa, during a candid moment on set | Source: AMO Pictures

Slava Krasovska (Sister Amelia River) and Oleksandra Pankova, (Lisa Stone) | Source: AMO Pictures

For screenwriter Kyrylo Bohdan, the idea started with a simple but powerful question: what happens when two completely different worlds meet?

“I was inspired by the idea of exploring love where it seems nearly impossible, between people from completely opposite worlds, whose values, lifestyles, and internal conflicts lie at different poles,” Bohdan shared.

That idea of risk carries through the entire production.

A quiet but emotional moment between Maksym Samchyk (Father Christopher Crow) and Oleksandra Pankova (Lisa Stone) near the end of the story. | Source: AMO Pictures

When Music Becomes Part of the Story

One of the most unique parts of “His Holy Obsession” is how it uses music. It’s not just background; it’s part of the story itself.

Lisa’s voice plays a key role in many scenes. But filming those moments wasn’t easy. Director Alina Bukhtiyarova recalled just how demanding those scenes were for actress Oleksandra Pankova:

Oleksa Pankova (Lisa Stone) getting directions from the film's director, Alina Bukhtiyarova | Source: AMO Pictures

Bukhtiyarova says those scenes stood out the most.

“The scenes where her voice merges with the choir are my absolute favorites; I found myself deeply moved during every single take.”

Pankova rehearses with the choir—scenes that required both vocal control and emotional intensity. | Source: AMO Pictures

Telling a Big Story in a Small Format

Because the series is made for a vertical format, the team had to be careful about how much story they could show. There was a lot of depth in the script, but not everything could fit on screen, according to Bukhtiyarova:

Each character had a full backstory, but the team had to stay focused on the main story.

“I often had to hold myself back… in order to stay focused and preserve the core narrative,” she said.

Even the music added a new challenge. The team created original prayers in English, designed to sound emotional without being tied to any one religion.

The choir plays a major role in shaping some of the series’ most powerful moments. | Source: AMO Pictures

A Cast That Worked Naturally Together

Casting came together more smoothly than expected.

“For most roles, we had no more than two candidates—and in some cases, there was only one obvious choice,” Bukhtiyarova explained.

And once they were all on set, something clicked.

That connection helped bring out the intensity of the story.

Director Alina Bukhtiyarova with her cast: Stanislava Krasovska, Maksym Devizorov, Oleksandra Pankova, and Maksym Samchyk | Source: AMO Pictures

Max Devzorov (Dante Crow) and Anton Solovey (Luca Morelli) take a break between takes while filming one of the darker scenes in the billiard room. | Source: AMO Pictures

Filming With Real Risks

Some of the biggest challenges didn’t come from the script, but from real life.

One of the most important scenes—the opening—had to be filmed outside at night in Kyiv. At the time, the city was dealing with frequent drone attacks.

“We were extremely anxious,” said Bukhtiyarova. “There was a real risk we wouldn’t manage to film the scene at all.”

Still, the team went ahead with the shoot.

A makeup artist prepares Maksym Devizorov (Dante Crow) while director Alina Bukhtiyarova speaks with Anton Solovey (Luca Morelli) on the billiard room set. | Source: AMO Pictures

“I remember how relieved and happy I felt at 6 a.m.… when I realized we had made it—and that, against all odds, there had been no attack that night,” recalled Bukhtiyarova.

It’s a moment that shows just how much the team had to push through to bring the story to life.

Building the Most Intense Scenes

Maksym Samchyk (Father Christopher Crow), Max Devizorov (Dante Crow), Oleksa Pankova (Lisa Stone), and the film crew prepare carefully for one of the series’ most intense scenes. | Source: AMO Pictures

Every movement in the scene is planned to make the action feel real. | Source: AMO PIctures

The tension between characters drives some of the story’s most gripping moments. | Source: AMO Pictures

From demanding performances to emotional music and real-world challenges, “His Holy Obsession” is a series that asked a lot from everyone involved. Even its quieter moments carry that same weight.

Artem Ignatov (young Dante) and Roman Kucheriavenko (young Christopher Crow) during a script run-through before filming the brothers’ flashback scene. | Source: AMO Pictures

Director Alina Bukhtiyarova playfully poses with the cast of "His Holy Obsession": Maksym Samchyk , Stanislava Krasovska, Oleksandra Pankova, and Maksym Devizorov, | Source: AMO Pictures

In the end, what makes “His Holy Obsession” stand out isn’t just the story; it’s the effort behind it. Every scene, every song, and every performance shows how much the team was willing to give to tell a story about love in the most difficult circumstances.

To see these moments in action, take a look at this behind-the-scenes montage from the filming of "His Holy Obsession."