Netflix’s new drama miniseries is based on a shocking true story — but it’s too intense to binge-watch

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‘Lead Children’ shows perseverance against overwhelming odds

Joanna Kulig as Jolanta Wadowska-Król in "Lead Children" on Netflix (2026)
(Image credit: Robert Palka / Netflix)

I’m usually all for binge-watching a series, especially if you need something to pass the time or catch up on the latest streaming originals. But rarely have I found myself hesitating, until Netflix released its new drama “Lead Children.” While the miniseries is structured in a bingeable format, its basis in a shocking true story and its heavy themes make it best experienced over a few sittings rather than all at once.

Following last year’s true-story drama “Toxic Town,” Netflix is now spotlighting a gripping series about a doctor uncovering a mysterious health crisis affecting children near an industrial plant. This six-episode Polish drama is inspired by real events from 1970s Upper Silesia during Communist‑era Poland. Though “Lead Children” adds characters and narrative structure for dramatic effect, its central story about a doctor exposing widespread lead poisoning among children is rooted in documented historical events.

It’s clear the series has resonated with viewers since its release, slipping into Netflix’s top 10 charts, and it’s great to see an international original getting the attention it deserves. Here’s everything you need to know about “Lead Children” before adding it to your watchlist.

What is ‘Lead Children’ about?

Lead Children | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube Lead Children | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube
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“Lead Children” is set in 1970s Communist Poland, following a dedicated young doctor named Jolanta Wadowska-Król (Joanna Kulig) as she works in a small industrial city dominated by a large smelting plant. When local children begin showing signs of serious illness and developmental problems, Jolanta starts investigating the unusual pattern of sicknesses.

She quickly identifies that the children living near the steelworks are suffering from dangerous health effects related to pollution from the plant and goes on a risky effort to understand the full scope of the crisis. Jolanta must work around resistance from local officials and authorities who are focused on political appearances ahead of an important official visit rather than the growing medical crisis in the community.

‘Lead Children’ should be on your watchlist this week

Joanna Kulig as Jolanta Wadowska-Król in "Lead Children" on Netflix (2026)

(Image credit: Robert Pałka / Netflix)

In the 1970s in Szopienice, a district of Katowice in Upper Silesia, Poland, many children were falling ill with symptoms of lead poisoning after living near the local smelting plant, which emitted high levels of lead and other heavy metals into the environment. A real‑life pediatrician, Dr. Jolanta Wadowska‑Król, noticed unusually high rates of anemia and illness among young patients and began investigating, eventually linking the sickness to environmental contamination from the plant. She conducted medical examinations of thousands of children and worked to raise awareness of the crisis.

“Lead Children” is based on these remarkable true events and the efforts of Jolanta to expose the public‑health scandal. The series opens on a grim note and only grows darker from there, but that isn’t a flaw, especially if you’re drawn to the true events that inspired it. This show makes it clear that there are still moments for individuals to take a stand and drive change, a message that shines through even in what can feel like an otherwise bleak and heavy story.

Michał Żurawski as Hubert Niedziela in "Lead Children" on Netflix (2026)

(Image credit: Robert Pałka / Netflix)

At six hours, the weight of “Lead Children” can feel especially heavy, so it’s most effective when taken in small doses rather than binged all at once. That grim tone, however, is essential for showing the vulnerability and struggles of the people at the heart of the story. It’s painful to watch a community and its leaders ignore an obvious threat to public health, which is part of what made “Toxic Town” such an impactful series. While “Lead Children” sticks to a familiar format, it remains a powerful and worthwhile watch, reminding us of the importance of speaking out when it matters most.

Joanna Kulig told Netflix: “Lead Children shows resistance to change and the strength one must find within oneself to oppose it. 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.”

Stream "Lead Children" on Netflix

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Alix Blackburn
Alix Blackburn
Senior Streaming Writer (UK)

Alix is a Senior Streaming Writer at Tom’s Guide, which basically means watching the best movies and TV shows and then writing about them. It’s a dream job for someone who’s been obsessed with storytelling since she first figured out how to work a remote. 


Before joining Tom’s Guide, Alix honed her skills as a staff writer with outlets like Screen Rant and Bough Digital, where she discovered her love for the entertainment industry. 


She heads to the cinema every week as a tradition, no matter what’s showing. For her, movies aren’t just entertainment — they’re a ritual, a comfort, and a constant source of inspiration. When she’s not at her desk or at the cinema, you’ll probably find her deep into a horror video game on her PC.

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