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Everything You Need to Know About The Tattooist of Auschwitz

This Sky and Peacock Original limited series streams May 2.

By Peacock Staff
Lynskey and Keitel in The Tattooist of Auschwitz

With more and more information starting to come in about the Sky and Peacock Original limited series The Tattooist of Auschwitz, we took the liberty of compiling all the latest announcements in one place. This post will be regularly updated as new details are made public.

What is the series about? 

Based on the global bestselling novel of the same name by Heather Morris, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is inspired by the heart-breaking true-life story of Lale and Gita Sokolov. Lale arrived at Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1942, and shortly after arrival, he was made one of the tätowierer (tattooists), charged to ink identification numbers onto fellow prisoners’ arms. One day, he meets Gita when tattooing her prisoner number on her arm. They experience love at first sight, and so begins a courageous, unforgettable, and human story. Under constant guard from a volatile SS officer Baretzki, Lale and Gita became determined to keep each other alive.

Around 60 years later, Lale meets novice writer Heather Morris. Recently widowed, Lale finds the courage to tell the world his story. In recounting his story to Heather, Lale, in his 80s, faces the traumatic ghosts of his youth and relives his memories of falling in love in the most horrific of places.

Who has joined the cast? 

Academy Award®-nominee Harvey Keitel (The Irishman, Youth) will play the lead role as the modern-day Lale Sokolov. 

Previously announced lead roles include Jonah Hauer-King (The Little Mermaid, World on Fire) and Anna Próchniak (Baptiste, Warsaw 44) who are set to star as young Lale Sokolov and Gita Furman. Melanie Lynskey (The Last of UsYellowjackets) will star in the series as New Zealander Heather Morris, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz novel and Jonas Nay (Deutschland 83, 86, 89) will be joining the series in the role of Stefan Baretzki.

Additional cast members joining the series include Tallulah Haddon (Kiss Me First, The Last Duel) as Hanna, Mili Eshet (Beyond the Mountains, Hills) as Ivana, Yali Topol Margalith in her first screen role as Cilka, Phénix Brossard (Little Joe, Benjamin) as Leon, Ilan Galkoff (Good Omens, Hilda) as Aaron, and Marcel Sabat (Tenet, The Windermere Children) as Tomas.

Who is writing and directing?

Jacquelin Perske (also Executive Producer) is Lead Writer. Evan Placey and Gabbie Asher are episode writers. Tali Shalom-Ezer is attached to direct all six episodes. The Tattooist of Auschwitz is produced by Synchronicity Films in association with Sky Studios and All3Media International. 

Who is composing the score? 

This will be the first TV drama series fully composed by Academy Award®-winner Hans Zimmer (Inception, Interstellar, Dune) and Kara Talve (Prehistoric Planet).

Hans Zimmer (Inception, Interstellar, Dune) and Kara Talve (Prehistoric Planet) will compose the score for upcoming adaptation of globally bestselling novel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz, produced by Synchronicity Films in association with Sky Studios and All3Media International.  

What do the producers and director have to say about it?

Claire Mundell (Executive Producer): We began developing this story five years ago and I was struck by how the book became a bestseller during a time when awareness of the Holocaust was in decline. Our series tells one man’s story and experience of Auschwitz and how he found love in the darkest of places. It is a story that is as important today as it ever was. 

Tali Shalom-Ezer (Director and Co-Executive Producer): Claire and I talked about what a huge challenge it was going to be to make viewers believe in a love story that existed in this dark place and time. This was the task that I as director, Claire, Jacquelin and our team took upon ourselves, and I pray that we will be able to make viewers around the world believe in the wonderful love story of Lali and Gita. 

Where can I watch the teaser?

Peacock unveiled the teaser for the series on Feb 22 and can be watched on Peacock's YouTube channel.

How do I stream The Tattooist of Auschwitz? 

The Tattooist of Auschwitz will be available to stream on Peacock on May 2, 2024. 

Can I see any images from the show?

Peacock has released these first-look images:

Melanie Lynskey and Harvey Keitel in The Tattooist of Auschwitz
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
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