Lavish Polish Period Drama ‘The Doll’ Lands Netflix Premiere
Netflix's ambitious take on a beloved Polish novel is set to premiere in September.
Netflix may be known for series like Bridgerton and Stranger Things — along with its truly wild collection of true-life crime documentaries — but the streamer also deserves applause for its dedication to big, ambitious foreign language content. Series like The Leopard and The Empress have proven very successful for the streamer among both domestic and international audiences, so it’s no wonder that more offerings, from more countries than ever, are suddenly in the proverbial pipeline.
Its forthcoming Polish Original, The Doll, is a historical epic based on the classic novel by Bolesław Prus. Set during Russian rule in 19th-century Warsaw, it chronicles the tragic obsession and subsequent struggles of self-made merchant millionaire Stanisław Wokulski with the aristocratic Izabela Łęcka.
A sprawling tale that explores themes of class conflict, political tensions, romantic infatuation, and anti-semitism, Prus’s work is considered by many to be the greatest Polish novel. If the trailer is anything to go by, it seems that Netflix has taken the job of adapting it properly very seriously indeed, adding a contemporary sheen to many of its themes, particularly in the way we’re meant to consider Stanislaw and Izabela’s relationship.
(Though one does wish they’d kept the chef’s kiss perfect use of Radiohead’s “Creep” from the original Polish teaser trailer. Whether Stanislaw is a creep or not is the question that’s up for debate.)
Here’s the series’ synopsis.
A classic of Polish literature in an original contemporary reinterpretation in which love mixes with obsession and social status comes with a very high price. Stanisław, driven by ambition and blinded by desire to move up in the world tries to break into Warsaw’s high society and his fascination with Izabela becomes his obsession. Meanwhile very independent Izabela does everything she can to slip out of the narrow confines of aristocracy and redefine her place in a rapidly changing reality. The feeling that engulfs them is stretched between a chasm of class difference, the longing for freedom and the seductive power of wealth.
(Photos: BLACK VOLGA/Netflix)
The series stars Sandra Drzymalska (Sexify) as Izabela and Tomasz Schuchardt (High Water) as Stanislaw. The ensemble cast also includes Dariusz Chojnacki, Jacek Braciak, Julia Wyszyńska, and Magdalena Cielecka.
It’s directed by Paweł Maślona (Scarborn), who also co-wrote the episodes alongside Pawel Demirski and Jagoda Dutkiewicz.
Strangely enough, Netflix’s series adaptation of The Doll isn’t the only take on Prus’s story arriving in 2026. A feature film adaptation, featuring a completely different cast and directed by Maciej Kawalski, is also slated to hit Polish cinemas in September.
The Doll will premiere on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, on Netflix.
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