Lead Children (orig. title: Leaden children; literal translation: Lead children) is a 2026 Polish drama series film produced by Orient-Film. The film premiered on the Netflix movie platform on February 11, 2026.
Lead Children is a psychological historical drama series premiering on Netflix on February 11, 2026. It is a Polish work that attracts attention with its social and political charge, based on a true story from the 1970s - an incident that reveals the fight against the system in the era of communism and the price of personal courage in the name of the common good.
Set in Upper Silesia (Górny Śląsk) in the late 1970s, the main character is Dr. Jolanta Wadowska-Krol, a young and idealistic doctor who notices an unusually high number of cases of serious illnesses among local children - symptoms she soon associates with the menacing dispersion of lead from the nearby Huta Czopienice factory.
After realizing that it was a case of mass poisoning with heavy metals (lead), she decided to go beyond the confines of her safe career and resist attempts to cover up the truth by the communist state apparatus, which did not want a scandal that threatened industrial interests and power status.
The series follows not only Iolanta's medical discoveries, but also the social conflict between her desire to save children and the forces that want to preserve the status quo, regardless of the human cost, revealing the real risks to her career and family.
Behind the project is director Maciej Pepšica, who is known for his attention to socio-historical themes and human psychology. Lead Children was filmed with a realistic, almost documentary approach – with a focus on the atmosphere of industrial Silesia, the reconstruction of the era (from sets to costumes) and a detailed construction of the social tension in 1970s society.
The series promises an emotionally charged drama that balances personal stories with the broader contexts of political pressure, fear, and moral choices – all set in the atmosphere of the PRL (Polish People's Republic).
At the center of the story is Joanna Kulig, who plays Jolanta Wadowska-Kröl – a doctor whose courage and moral compass transform her from an ordinary medical professional into a fighter for the truth. Agatha Kulesha brings weight and complexity to the role of Professor Berger, an influential figure in the medical community who vacillates between service to the system and true duty to patients. Kinga Preis introduces Viesya Wilczek, an experienced nurse who initially looks at Iolanta with distrust, but later becomes her closest ally.
Michal Żurawski plays the role of Security Service officer Hubert Nedzela, who represents the state control forces trying to silence the scandal. The supporting cast also includes Zbigniew Zamakhovski, Marian Dziedziel, as well as Sebastian Pawlak, which add depth to the political and social dimensions of the story.
Lead Children is one of the most anticipated European television productions of 2026 – a series that, through personal drama and political context, tells a powerful story about human courage, moral choices and the price of truth. With strong acting, realistic direction and historical basis, it promises to be an emotionally impactful and socially relevant experience for a wide audience.
