It’s been almost six months since Peacock released its latest historical drama series, The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Now, the show is rising in popularity on Max, with viewers in countries like Argentina, Belize, Mexico, Peru, and others watching it intensely.
The Harvey Keitel-led drama has made its way into the platform’s Top 5 worldwide. With a solid 76% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this emotional and powerful series is a must-watch for history enthusiasts.
The show is based on the novel by Heather Morris, which is itself inspired by a true story. The Tattooist of Auschwitz brings to light one of the darkest periods in human history.
The story is told through flashbacks, revealing the younger years of Keitel’s character, Lali Sokolov, who was tragically sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau during the Nazi occupation of Poland.
As Lali recounts his story to Morris, played by Melanie Lynskey, the heartbreaking drama unfolds through the perspective of the younger Lali, portrayed by Jonah Hauer-King (The Little Mermaid). Lali was forced to tattoo numbers on the arms of prisoners arriving at the concentration camp.
Despite the grim circumstances, Lali’s story is also one of hope and love, as he meets and falls in love with fellow inmate Gita, played by Anna Próchniak, while enduring the horrors of the camp.
The series also features Jonas Nay (The Four of Us), Tallulah Haddon (The Last Duel), and Mili Eshet (Beyond the Mountains and Hills). Much of the story in The Tattooist of Auschwitz is said to be true, with the book’s author, Heather Morris, supporting the series’ historical accuracy.
One character who is portrayed as cruel and monstrous is Stefan Baretzki, played by Jonas Nay, who was an SS officer and guard at Auschwitz. Nay has spoken about the challenges of researching the horrific actions his character committed in the camp.
The Music Behind the Mini-Series
The music in The Tattooist of Auschwitz also plays a significant role in the series’ success. The background compositions, which enhance the emotional depth of each episode, might sound familiar to viewers. This is because the series was scored by the legendary Hans Zimmer and Kara Talve.
They also collaborated with Walter Afanasieff and Charlie Midnight on the original song for the show, “Love Will Survive.” Audiences will recognize Zimmer’s work from films like Gladiator, The Last Samurai, the Pirates of the Caribbean series, and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune and Dune: Part Two.
Viewers in the U.S. can watch The Tattooist of Auschwitz on Peacock, while those outside the country can stream the series on Max.
