Netflix announces first Polish original series
David Farnor | On 14, Sep 2017
Netflix is teaming up with Oscar-nominated director Agnieszka Holland for its first Polish original series.
Following in the great tradition of Cold War spy thrillers, a tradition that has proven very popular in the last two years, this alternative history series takes place in a world where the Iron Curtain never fell. Now, in 2002, 20 years after a devastating terrorist attack in 1982 that halted the course of Poland’s liberation and the subsequent downfall of the Soviet Union, an idealistic law student and a disgraced police investigator stumble upon a conspiracy that has kept the Curtain standing and Poland living under a repressive police state. After two decades of peace and prosperity, the leaders of the regime enact a secret plan that was made with an unlikely adversary in the 1980s that will radically transform Poland and affect the lives of every citizen in the nation — and the world. What these two men discover has the potential to ignite a popular revolution and those in power will stop at nothing to keep it a secret.
The show was created and written by Joshua Long and will be produced for Netflix by The Kennedy/Marshall Company and The House Media Company. Frank Marshall (Jurassic World, Jason Bourne) and Robert Zotnowski (House of Cards) will be Executive Producers on the series for The Kennedy/Marshall Company, along with Polish producer Andrzej Besztak (House Media), Joshua Long, Maciej Musiał and Agnieszka Holland.
Holland and Kasia Adamik will direct the eight-episode season, which will be shot in various cities and regions in Poland. It marks something of a reunion for Holland, who has already directed several episodes of House of Cards.
“We are really happy that we’ll be able to combine the wonderful experience of the Netflix team, our great American producers and writer, with Polish talent and a Polish sensibility,” says Agnieszka Holland.
Marshall adds: “I have wanted to work with Agnieszka for a long time, so I’m very excited to be producing this series for Netflix alongside a very talented Polish cast and crew.”
“We’re thrilled to confirm that we will be producing our first original series in the Polish language and are very happy to be working with The Kennedy/Marshall Company and House Media on this project alongside great Polish director Agnieszka Holland. We are confident that this genre will not only resonate with the Polish audience but will also travel globally and we can’t wait to share more details later this year,” adds Erik Barmack, Vice President of International Original Series at Netflix.
The show will premiere in 2018.