Heweliusz: Netflix Premieres Major Polish Drama Detailing the 1993 Maritime Tragedy

Netflix, the streaming giant, has scheduled the highly anticipated premiere of its ambitious five-part mini-series, “Heweliusz,” for November 5, 2025. This major Polish drama centers on the catastrophic sinking of the ferry “Jan Heweliusz” in 1993. Director Jan Holoubek aims to go beyond merely reconstructing the tragic events that claimed 55 lives in the Baltic Sea. The series promises a deep dive into the systemic failures and underlying causes that ultimately led to the vessel’s demise. This project is being hailed as one of the most significant Polish cinematic undertakings in recent memory.

The production phase for “Heweliusz” was marked by an extraordinary scale and complexity. Filming spanned eight months, running from January through August 2024, utilizing diverse locations across Poland, including Szczecin, Warsaw, and Świnoujście. Furthermore, a specialized aquatic complex in Brussels was constructed specifically for the shoot. To achieve realistic storm sequences, an astounding 700 tons of water were deployed. The sheer scope of the cast and crew involved more than 3,000 extras and featured over 120 distinct characters. The narrative pivots around the ill-fated crossing of January 14, 1993, when the ship, traveling from Świnoujście to Ystad, encountered Hurricane Verena, characterized by wind gusts reaching 160 km/h and waves cresting at five meters.

Beyond depicting the actual maritime disaster, the mini-series meticulously chronicles the subsequent years-long battle waged to uncover the truth and secure justice. Central to this emotional drama is the plight of the victims' families, who were forced to confront bureaucratic inertia and systemic resistance while seeking official acknowledgment of responsibility for the tragedy. The plot also follows the actions of the captain, who was not on duty during the incident. This storyline draws heavily on authentic court documents and real-life testimonies, lending the drama the weight of a powerful social investigation.

The history of the “Jan Heweliusz,” launched in 1977, is riddled with alarming precursors to the eventual tragedy. During its fifteen years of service, the vessel—owned by Polish Ocean Lines and operated by Euroafrica—was involved in approximately 30 serious incidents. A critical point highlighted is a major fire in 1986, after which around 70 tons of concrete were used to repair the deck. Experts suggest this repair critically compromised the ship's stability. Compounding these issues, the stern ramp was damaged just four days prior to its final voyage, yet these technical faults were left unaddressed. Ultimately, the ship, locally nicknamed the “floating coffin,” departed with a two-hour delay, carrying 35 passengers and 29 crew members. The ensemble cast, featuring Magdalena Różczka, Michał Żurawski, and Borys Szyc as Captain Ulasewicz, is tasked with conveying the intense emotional spectrum, from the fight for survival in the icy 2 °C water to the profound grief and determination of the bereaved.