The Polish series 'Lead Children,' which premiered on February 11, 2026, has become a global phenomenon on Netflix. Directed by Maciej Pieprzyca, the production tells the heroic story of Dr. Jolanta Wadowska-Król's fight against lead poisoning among children in Szopienice in the 1970s. The series has taken first place in viewership rankings, surpassing the acclaimed 'Heweliusz' and sparking widespread interest in the history of industrial Silesia.

Global success of the Polish series

The production 'Lead Children' achieved hit status, securing first place in viewership rankings, including in Poland and the USA.

History of lead poisoning in Szopienice

The plot introduces the figure of Dr. Jolanta Wadowska-Król and her fight against lead poisoning among children in the shadow of the Szopienice Smelter.

Controversy over cinematic fiction

Residents of Upper Silesia and experts point to numerous historical inaccuracies in the series, which is only inspired by facts.

The series 'Lead Children' debuted on Netflix on February 11, 2026 and quickly dominated viewership rankings, becoming number one not only in Poland but also in many countries worldwide, including the United States. The production has surpassed another high-profile Polish premiere—'Heweliusz'—in popularity. The plot focuses on Dr. Jolanta Wadowska-Król, who, during the Polish People's Republic, discovered mass cases of lead poisoning among children living near the Szopienice Smelter. Despite commercial success, the production evokes mixed feelings in Upper Silesia. Residents of the region point to numerous deviations from historical facts and fictional storylines introduced by the creators for dramatic purposes. Although the action is set in Katowice's Szopienice, actual filming locations were scattered across various cities in the region, utilizing authentic industrial architecture. Actor Sebastian Pawlak, who plays one of the key roles, described the main character as "one of the first feminists," emphasizing her courage in fighting an oppressive system. The creators note that the series is inspired by facts, which grants them some artistic freedom. Viewers outside Silesia praise the atmosphere and narrative pace, while historians and witnesses of those events engage in lively debates about the boundaries between truth and cinematic fiction, highlighting 11 key situations that did not actually occur. In the 1970s, communist authorities sought to conceal the scale of lead poisoning in Upper Silesia, fearing reputational damage and the need for costly relocations of residents from contaminated areas. „This is a story about a woman who not only fought a disease but, above all, fought a soulless systemic machine, becoming one of the first true feminists in that reality.” — Sebastian Pawlak Interest in the series has translated into increased sales of books about the history of the so-called Lead Mary, as Dr. Wadowska-Król was called. The doctor's research saved thousands of children from irreversible health damage, though she herself remained in the shadows of official history for years. Netflix's current success is bringing this figure back into public awareness, turning a regional tragedy into a topic of global reach. 11 — February 2026 saw the premiere of the series Netflix Series Popularity Ranking in Poland: Lead Children: 1, Heweliusz: 2, Other productions: 3

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