Netflix to produce first Polish original

Netflix has announced its first original series in Poland, a key market for the global streaming video leader in central and eastern Europe.

The eight-episode show – a Man in the High Castle-like alternative history that imagines the aftermath of a major terrorist attack in Poland in the wake of the Solidarity movement’s rise that halted the course of the course of Poland’s liberation and the fall of the Soviet Union – will be directed by Agnieszka Holland and Kasia Adamik.

Holland also directed HBO’s first major foray into original production in the central and eastern Europe region – Czech historical drama Burning Bush – and has directed episodes of House of Cards for Netflix.

Netflix’s Polish drama 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

“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,” said Holland.

“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,” said Erik Barmack, vice-president of international original Series at Netflix.