Netflix’s new series. What is Hevelius about?

`The Hevelius’ – a new look at the 1993 drama

On the night of 13 to 14 January 1993, the ferry MS Jan Heweliusz set off from Świnoujście to Ystad. There were 64 people on board – crew and passengers. Shortly after departure, the vessel encountered a strong storm – waves reached a height of several metres and the wind exceeded 160 km/h. At 5:12 in the morning, the ferry turned on its side and soon sank near the German island of Rügen. Fifty-five people died – the biggest disaster in the history of Polish civilian shipping. Only nine people survived.

Unexplained circumstances of the sinking of MS Jan Heweliusz

Even then, there were doubts as to whether the ferry should set sail in such difficult conditions. In addition, the ship had been struggling with technical problems for years – it had been damaged several times, including by fire and collisions. Experts accused the shipowner of ignoring warnings and safety procedures.

Many questions arose around the disaster, to which there are still no clear answers. Was the captain acting under pressure? Was the ferry adequately prepared? Did the emergency and rescue systems work? The series “Hevelius” tries not only to tell the story, but also to bring back the memory of the victims and show the drama of the survivors.

‘Hevelius’ – the Netflix series that could shake up Poland

The series “Hevelius” debuted on the Netflix platform on 5 November. It is a production with a flair that features a realistic representation of storm conditions, action scenes and a strong emotional charge. The cast includes Borys Szyc as the captain of the ferry , as well as Magdalena Różczka, Tomasz Schuchardt and Piotr Rogucki. The actors admit that participating in the project was an extreme experience for them. Scenes were shot in cold water and the emotional tension was almost palpable.

The production not only reconstructs the disaster, but is also based on authentic materials, reports and witness accounts. The creators spoke to the families of the victims, survivors and shipping experts. As a result, the series has not only fictional but also documentary qualities.

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