Adaptations of Bolesław Prus’s Lalka in 2026

In late 2026, several adaptations of Bolesław Prus’s classic novel ‘Lalka’ are scheduled for release in Poland.

TVP 1 announced it would begin broadcasting the 1977 television series adaptation in early September. This broadcast occurs alongside two new major projects.

A Netflix series directed by Paweł Maślona, described as being ‘inspired by the novel’ rather than a strict adaptation, premiered on September 16. This six-episode, multi-genre reinterpretation blends period drama with elements of crime, irony, and grotesque realism. Starring Tomasz Schuchardt as Stanisław Wokulski and Sandra Drzymalska as Izabela Łęcka, the series introduces significant departures from the source material, such as Izabela pursuing a career in journalism and the inclusion of dark investigative subplots. The production has garnered international attention, with foreign media comparing its style to ‘Bridgerton’. Locally, the release has inspired creative tributes, including special themed packaging from the Warsaw confectionery Lukullus.

Additionally, a large-scale film adaptation directed by Maciej Kawalski is set for theatrical release on September 30. This production focuses on depicting 19th-century Warsaw with historical detail and features a prominent cast including Marcin Dorociński, Kamila Urzędowska, Marek Kondrat, and Andrzej Seweryn. The film is noted for its significant production scale involving thousands of extras. While the film production originally considered a 10 million PLN funding partnership with TVP, producers declined the offer to maintain creative independence.