A new Polish-language mini-series adaptation of Boleslaw Prus’s 1890 novel “The Doll” (“Lalka”) is set to debut on Netflix this Wednesday, potentially introducing the classic work to a broader international audience. The six-part period drama, set in 19th-century Warsaw, offers a richly detailed narrative centered on the entangled lives of the emerging merchant class and the declining aristocracy under Russian imperial rule.
“The Doll,” a novel long celebrated in Poland but largely unknown outside the country, follows the story of Stanislaw Wokulski, a wealthy businessman obsessed with Izabela Lecka, a beautiful but financially struggling aristocrat. The novel weaves themes of social class, unrequited love, and political undercurrents prevalent during a time when Warsaw was part of the Russian Empire. Its intricate plot includes elements such as the fall of the Polish aristocracy, the rise of nationalism, and debates about science and society.
Director and co-writer Pawel Maslona described the Netflix adaptation as a reinterpretation rather than a strict translation of the nearly 700-page novel. He acknowledged that certain complexities, especially the historical and political context, are difficult to fully capture in a limited series format. Instead, the show emphasizes the “horrible love affair” between Wokulski and Izabela, a choice reflecting both narrative focus and modern viewing preferences.
To bring 19th-century Warsaw back to life, the series was filmed in multiple Polish cities and utilized elaborate sets and computer-generated imagery, compensating for the city’s heavy destruction during World War II. The story includes period drama hallmarks, such as lavish balls, duels, and ornate costume designs.
The portrayal of Izabela has been notably updated in this adaptation. Historically seen as a superficial antagonist and often mistaken for the titular “doll,” Izabela is reimagined as a complex character struggling with the limitations imposed on women of her era. Actress Sandra Drzymalska, who plays Izabela, said she aimed to depict her as a “modern girl” with ambitions beyond marriage, including a subplot revolving around Izabela’s pursuit of a career in a progressive women-led newspaper. This reinterpretation offers insight into the character’s motivations and her complicated relationship with Wokulski, portrayed as a social climber whose obsessive love eventually leads to his undoing.
The series finale reportedly contains several unexpected twists that depart from the source material, which could surprise even those familiar with the novel. Maslona noted that the trajectory the adaptation takes became “a little bit surprising” even for the creative team.
The Netflix release closely follows a separate film adaptation set to premiere in Polish cinemas on September 30. This simultaneous rollout of two new screen versions of “The Doll” for the first time since a 1977 television mini-series has stirred playful comparisons in Poland to the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, highlighting the renewed interest in Prus’s work amid the growing international prominence of Polish cultural productions.