Bestselling novel based on the horrific events in the Holocaust, The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris, is being adapted into a Stan original series – with first look images released mid-January.
Published in 2018, the Holocaust novel skyrocketed to the top of the New York Times Bestselling Books, selling more than three million copies in its first year and was greenlit for a multi-part television series within the same year.
The Irishman actor Harvey Keitel will play the lead role as modern day Lale Sokolov.
(Image: Stan)“Within six months [after it was published in 2018], there were lots of conversations [with studios] going on,” Heather told TV WEEK.
Heather originally wrote Lale’s story as a screenplay, not a novel – and was thrilled for it’s screen-adaptation.
“For me, it always should have been on the screen. That’s how I wrote it. That’s how Lale wanted it. So that was the dream,” she said.
Academy Award nominee Harvey Keitel will take the lead as protagonist Lale Sokolov in the later years of his life, whilst Jonah Hauer-King and Anna Próchniak will star as young Lale and his wife Gita Furman respectively.
The novel is autobiography of sorts written from anecdotes the real life Lale gave New Zealand author Heather Morris, following Lale’s journey at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp as a tätowierer tasked with inking identification numbers onto fellow prisoners’ arms.
Despite being under near constant guard of Nazi led SS officers, especially the volatile Baretzki (who will be portrayed by Jonas Nay), Lale falls in love with Gita, and the pair do whatever they can to stay alive and survive Auschwitz together.
What follows is a heartbreaking story of survival, love, and the strength of the human spirit to endure and overcome the very worst.
Jonah Hauer-King, Anna Próchniak, Melanie Lynskey and Jonas Nay will also star.
(Image: Stan)The television series will also show how the book was created by following Heather, played by YellowJackets star Melanie Lynskey, as she conducts several face-to-face interview with older Lale, recalling his life – an aspect which the author originally denied.
“That was never meant to be,” Heather told TV WEEK of her role in the series. “I said no at first!”
Reflecting on what it meant to be cast in the titular role of an elderly Lale, Harvey said it was an honour.
“The love story in this project, in the face of the horror, gives testimony to the spirit and goodness of people,” he says.
His younger counterpart, Jonah shared in this sentiment, sharing that it was a ”huge privilege” to be telling Lale’s ”incredible story.”
“I have the utmost respect and admiration for his ability to find humanity and kindness in the most inhumane of places,” he confesses. “These scripts heartbreakingly and vividly depict this appalling time in our history, and I feel proud to be honouring Lala and Gita’s remarkable story.”
The real life Lale and Gita with their now 62 year old son Gary.
(Image: Echo Publishing)The series will consist of six episodes, directed by Academy Award-winning director Tali Shalom-Ezer and set to premiere on May 2, 2024 on Stan.
”In Auschwitz, a factory of death and dehumanization, Lale and Gita’s love story is an act of defiance. It is the choice to remain human. I’m inspired and honoured to bring this story to life, alongside the talented team of people assembled,” the director previously said.
Sadly, Lale passed away in 2006, aged 90, three years on from the death of his beloved Gita. They are survived by their son Gary.
To read The Tattooist of Auschwitz before its television premiere, click here.
The series releases in May.
(Image: Stan).jpg?fit=126%2C128){kind=avatar}