Netflix’s Polish Period Drama ‘The Doll’ Explores Ambition and Class in 1870s Poland
The new Netflix series ‘The Doll’ follows Izabela Łęcka, a rebellious young woman in 1870s Poland, and merchant Stanisław Wokulski, who seeks noble status through marriage.
‘The Doll’ is a Netflix-produced Polish drama set in the 1870s, adapting Bolesław Prus’s novel about a woman defying rigid aristocratic expectations. Sandra Drzymalska portrays Izabela Łęcka, who aspires to launch a magazine and travel for stories rather than settle into a conventional marriage. Her father, Tomasz (Jacek Braciak), continues reckless investments that threaten their estate, leading Izabela to explore legal proxies for its management.
Tomasz Schuchardt plays Stanisław Wokulski, a merchant who inherited his late wife’s business under dubious circumstances and now seeks entry into the nobility by courting Izabela and proposing a joint venture with her father. The first episode mixes opulent settings, a chaotic society ball, a shooting, and a fire-set money-making scheme, while also featuring brief sexual content. Critics note strong performances, especially Drzymalska’s, and suggest the series may evolve beyond typical period-drama tropes.
