On February 11, Netflix is releasing Lead children, a Polish drama series from director Maciej Pieprzyca that revisits a shocking public health scandal in 1970s Silesia. Inspired by real events, the show follows a young doctor who uncovers massive lead poisoning among local children and the brutal pushback she faces from the communist state determined to bury the truth.
A real-life medical scandal at the heart of industrial Silesia
At the core of Lead children is the story of Jolanta Wadowska-Król, a young, idealistic physician working in an intensely industrialized region of Silesia. She starts noticing a pattern: many children suffer from unexplained illnesses that don’t fit the usual diagnoses.
Her investigations lead her to a disturbing conclusion: these health problems are linked to large-scale lead poisoning. The source is traced back to the operations of the Szopienice smelter, a plant located in the middle of a dense industrial area. What begins as medical concern for her young patients quickly turns into the uncovering of a major environmental and public health disaster.
A doctor who defies the system
Once Jolanta understands what is happening, she decides she cannot stay silent. She pushes to protect the children and to bring the full extent of the crisis to light, even as the risks surrounding her grow.
Her decision has serious consequences. The authorities apply pressure in an effort to silence her and prevent any scandal. As she resists repeated attempts to shut the case down, Jolanta jeopardizes not only her career, but also the safety and stability of her own family. In a political context where exposing uncomfortable truths is dangerous, her fight becomes a test of personal courage against an authoritarian system.
How a health crisis becomes a political battlefield
Lead children portrays the many obstacles Jolanta faces when she tries to reveal the scale of the poisoning. Powerful figures within the communist apparatus step in to block any disclosure, fearing the political and economic fallout that could follow if the scandal is acknowledged.
Among those pushing back is a security services officer tasked with containing and neutralizing the situation. Regional political leaders are also shown torn between guarding their power and dealing with the harsh reality facing the people they are supposed to represent. The series lays bare how an issue of children’s health is transformed into a high-stakes political confrontation.
A strong ensemble cast and layered characters
The series is driven by Joanna Kulig, who plays Jolanta Wadowska-Król, the doctor at the center of the story. Around her, an experienced ensemble brings different social groups of 1970s Silesia to life.
Kinga Preis appears as a seasoned nurse from Szopienice, while Michał Żurawski portrays the security services officer involved in suppressing the affair. The cast also includes Agata Kulesza, Marian Dziędziel, Zbigniew Zamachowski, and Sebastian Pawlak. Together, they embody the medical community, the political elite, and the working-class populations who are all entangled in the crisis.
Recreating 1970s Silesia on screen
Director Maciej Pieprzyca, known for his focus on social issues and Silesian identity, places viewers directly inside the industrial atmosphere of the era. To capture the historical setting as accurately as possible, filming took place in several Silesian cities, including Katowice, Zabrze, Gliwice, and Bytom.
Across its six episodes, Lead children fits into the tradition of fact-based dramas that examine collective responsibility and the bravery it takes for individuals to resist oppressive systems. The show invites audiences to confront how state power, industry, and public health can collide with devastating consequences.
Release date, episode count, and true story angle
When does Lead children come out on Netflix?
The series will be available to stream on Netflix starting February 11.
Is Lead children based on a true story?
Yes. The show draws inspiration from the real-life work of doctor Jolanta Wadowska-Król and actual cases of lead poisoning that occurred in Silesia in the 1970s.
How many episodes does the series have?
Lead children consists of six episodes.
FAQ
What is Lead children about?
Lead children is a Polish drama series set in 1970s Silesia. It follows doctor Jolanta Wadowska-Król as she uncovers widespread lead poisoning among children linked to the Szopienice smelter and faces intense resistance from the communist authorities who want to keep the scandal hidden.
Who directed Lead children?
The series is directed by Maciej Pieprzyca, a filmmaker noted for exploring social themes and Silesian identity, which shapes the way the story’s industrial and political context is portrayed.
Where does the story of Lead children take place?
The story is rooted in the Silesian industrial region. The production was filmed in several Silesian cities, including Katowice, Zabrze, Gliwice, and Bytom, to faithfully recreate the historical environment of the time.
Which actors star in Lead children?
Joanna Kulig plays lead character Jolanta Wadowska-Król. The cast also features Kinga Preis as an experienced nurse from Szopienice, Michał Żurawski as a security services officer, and Agata Kulesza, Marian Dziędziel, Zbigniew Zamachowski, and Sebastian Pawlak in key supporting roles.
