The new Polish period drama Lead Children arrived on Netflix on February 11, 2026, and viewers are already talking about its heavy subject matter and powerful lead performance. The six-part miniseries tells the true story of a doctor who fought the communist system to save children poisoned by lead from a local smelter in 1970s Poland. But with its grim tone and slow pace, many potential viewers are asking a simple question: Should you watch it or skip it?
This guide breaks down the true story, the cast, the critical reviews, and everything you need to know before pressing play on Lead Children.
The True Story Behind Lead Children Is Both Inspiring and Devastating
Lead Children is based on the real-life efforts of Dr. Jolanta Wadowska-Król, a Polish pediatrician who worked in the Szopienice district of Katowice during the 1970s . She noticed that children living near the local metal smelter were suffering from strange symptoms including stunted growth, neurological damage, and severe anemia. After conducting her own research, she connected the illnesses to lead poisoning caused by decades of industrial waste contaminating the soil, water, and air.
What makes this story remarkable is that Dr. Wadowska-Król refused to stop even when local communist party officials pressured her to drop the matter. The smelter was a major employer, and authorities feared that acknowledging the contamination would hurt production and expose systemic failures. Despite threats and career risks, she continued testing children, publishing her findings, and demanding action .
Her persistence led to real change. Affected children received proper treatment, the most contaminated homes near the smelter were demolished, and families were relocated to safer areas. Dr. Wadowska-Król received an honorary doctorate from the University of Silesia in 2021 for her work. She passed away in June 2023, but her story now reaches a global audience through this Netflix production .
The series is adapted from the book of the same name by Michal Jedryka, who documented the full scope of the Szopienice lead contamination crisis .
Lead Children Cast: Joanna Kulig Carries the Weight of History
The casting is the strongest reason to watch Lead Children. Joanna Kulig plays Dr. Jolanta Wadowska-Król, and critics agree that her performance transforms the series from a standard docudrama into something more personal and urgent .
Kulig is best known internationally for her role in Cold War, the 2018 Polish film that earned three Oscar nominations. In Lead Children, she brings the same emotional intensity to a real-life hero. She spoke to Netflix about stepping into the role, saying:
“In the character of Jola Wadowska-Król, I saw above all honesty, extraordinary courage, persistence, and uncompromising nature. Her life story poses the question of whether we, in her place, would find enough strength in ourselves to stand alone against the system.”
The supporting cast adds depth to the story. Sebastian Pawlak plays Zbigniew Król, Jolanta’s husband who works at the local hospital and struggles with the strain her fight places on their family . Zbigniew Zamachowski portrays Zdzisław Grudzień, the local governor more concerned with protecting his position than protecting children . Michał Żurawski plays Hubert Niedziela, a security service officer assigned to bury the scandal . Agata Kulesza appears as Prof. Krystyna Berger, an academic who initially refuses to support Jolanta’s thesis before later admitting she was pressured by hospital administrators .
Every performance serves the story rather than overshadowing it. There are no showy monologues or unnecessary melodrama. The cast treats the material with respect, understanding that the facts themselves carry enough weight.
Streaming Release: Where and When to Watch Lead Children
Lead Children debuted globally on Netflix on February 11, 2026 . All six episodes were released simultaneously, which means viewers can watch at their own pace.
The series is available to subscribers in all regions where Netflix operates, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and across Europe and Asia. The runtime for each episode is approximately 60 minutes, making the total investment about six hours .
Polish language audio is available with subtitles in multiple languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Hindi, and others.
Viewer Guide: Should You Watch or Skip Lead Children?
This is not a light watch. Lead Children deals with sick children, bureaucratic denial, and the emotional toll of fighting a system designed to silence you. But here is a practical breakdown to help you decide.
Watch Lead Children if:
- You appreciate historical dramas based on verified true events
- You admire stories about ordinary people who force change against powerful opposition
- You enjoyed HBO’s Chernobyl and want another slow-burn contamination story with period accuracy
- You follow Joanna Kulig’s career and want to see her deliver another layered, grounded performance
- You are interested in Polish history and the everyday realities of life under 1970s communist rule
Skip Lead Children if:
- You prefer fast-paced, action-driven entertainment
- You are sensitive to stories involving seriously ill children (this is the central focus)
- You struggle with subtitles and the English dubbing does not match the emotional tone of the original performances
- You are looking for a uplifting or feel-good period drama. This is a story of endurance, not easy victory
Pacing and Tone
Critics note that Lead Children moves slowly. Roger Ebert’s review describes the series as best enjoyed over multiple sittings rather than in one binge session . The direction is described as “utilitarian” and “unobtrusive,” meaning the camera does not distract from the faces and the facts. This works for viewers who value authenticity. It may frustrate viewers who expect more visual flair from prestige television.
Comparisons to Other Contamination Dramas
Reviewers have compared Lead Children to films like Erin Brockovich and Dark Waters, as well as HBO’s Chernobyl . The comparison to Chernobyl is primarily visual: both productions use gray, overcast cinematography and period-accurate costumes to create a world where hope feels scarce. The comparison to Erin Brockovich is thematic: both stories center a woman who refuses to accept that pollution is just the price of industry.
But Lead Children differs in one important way. Dr. Wadowska-Król was not seeking fame or financial compensation. She was a local doctor doing her job, who simply refused to look away. That quieter, more private form of courage defines the series.
Also Read:
The Real Legacy of Dr. Jolanta Wadowska-Król
The series ends with text cards explaining what happened after the events depicted. Viewers who want additional context should know that Dr. Wadowska-Król worked as a pediatrician in Silesia for decades after the lead contamination crisis. She did not seek media attention. Her work was not widely recognized in Poland until recent years .
In 2021, the University of Silesia awarded her an honorary doctorate. The university also produced a documentary titled The Mystery of the Poisoning of the Children of Szopienice, which preserves her testimony and research footage. She passed away in June 2023 at the age of 76 .
Lead Children ensures that new generations, both in Poland and around the world, will know her name.
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