The return of the long-running Bulgarian National Television crime series “Under Cover” (Pod Prikritie) for its sixth season on October 10 at 10 p.m. on BNT 1 exposes how the country’s underworld has shifted from traditional mobsters to economic networks tied to political parties, according to series scriptwriter and “24 Chasa” journalist Slavi Angelov. While critics argue the show glorifies villains, Angelov says the production serves as an unforgiving mirror of systemic corruption, state decay, and the reality of modern life in Bulgaria.
How the Mafia and State Power Shifted Over 15 Years
The upcoming sixth season addresses a decade and a half of sweeping structural changes within both the Bulgarian state and organized crime. Angelov explained that while the early 2000s were dominated by large, concentrated mafia syndicates that posed major problems until roughly 2007 or 2008, those structures have since fragmented. Modern criminal enterprises now operate in symbiosis with economic networks linked to major political forces that have held power in recent years.
These syndicates, functioning alongside prosecutors and fixers within the judicial system, have increasingly targeted massive public resources drawn from both the state budget and European funds. Angelov noted that this evolution forms a central storyline in the new episodes, which reunite viewers with familiar characters like Dzharo, Kukata, and Ivo Andonov alongside fresh faces.
Fact-Checking Reality Against Scripted Crime Stories
Maintaining gritty realism is the core mandate of the writer’s room. Before drafting each season, Angelov holds extensive meetings with police officers and underworld figures to gauge current dynamics and anticipate conditions three to six months into the future, ensuring the broadcast remains current despite production delays.
This rigorous research has repeatedly triggered uncanny parallels with real-world events. During the filming of a bank robbery sequence directed by Viktor Божинов (Viktor Bojinov), Angelov spent 10 hours at the set instead of his planned 30 minutes. That exact episode aired on BNT on a Sunday, and on that same day, a bank in the Lyulin district of Sofia was robbed using the exact method depicted on screen. In earlier seasons, viewers frequently flooded social media with comparisons, noting that police seizures of trucks at Kapitan Andreevo or the daylight shooting of Zlatko Baretata outside the Palace of Justice mirrored plotlines broadcast just weeks prior.
Did you know? Slavi Angelov’s dedication to realistic storytelling stems from raw experience. On March 17, 2020, he was violently attacked outside his home. Six years and three months later, in June, the Sofia Appellate Court finalized the case by increasing the prison sentences of brothers Georgi and Nikola Asenov and their friend Biser Mitrev from five to six years. Angelov keeps a printout of the cartoon that triggered the assault framed on his desk as a personal compass for doing what is right.
Comparing “Under Cover” to the Reality of Systemic Decay
Despite featuring dark characters, Angelov maintains that the series actually offers a stronger moral compass than everyday life. He points out that the show’s season finales showcase justice and retribution far more frequently than real-world conditions allow. Yet, the overall atmosphere reflects a grim societal outlook. Angelov observed that the state of Bulgaria in recent years evokes the pervasive, bleak feeling found in impoverished regions of Italy where the mafia thrives—the paralyzing sense that nothing will ever truly change.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the sixth season of “Under Cover” premiere?
The sixth season premieres on October 10 at 10 p.m. on BNT 1.
Who writes the script for “Under Cover”?
“24 Chasa” journalist and “Cosmos” magazine editor-in-chief Slavi Angelov is part of the writing team, collaborating with law enforcement and underworld sources to ensure authenticity.
Which returning characters will appear in the new season?
Iconic characters including Dzharo, Kukata, and Ivo Andonov return to the screen alongside newly introduced figures.
How can viewers get involved?
Share your thoughts on the evolution of Bulgarian crime dramas in the comments below, explore our archive for more investigative reports, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for the latest updates on television and public affairs.
Worth a look