Saagar Kote
Netflix’s ‘Heweliusz’ chronicles the journeys of individuals connected to the horrifying incident in 1993, when a ferry called the MS Jan Heweliusz overturned off the Baltic Sea’s Rügen coast. The Polish historical drama series is based on a true story and explores the struggles of the survivors. After the disastrous ferry incident, an off-duty captain demands answers for the departed. Individuals fight legal battles against those responsible for the mishap, although it is a tough journey towards justice. Written by Kasper Bajon and directed by Jan Holoubek, the series intricately examines the theme of survival.
Jolanta Ułasiewicz (Magdalena Różczka), Captain Ułasiewicz (Borys Szyc), Binter (Michał Żurawski), and others find themselves dealing with the aftermath of the naval disaster, while also navigating the challenges of facing the state. If you are intrigued by the visual elements, investigations, legal battles, grounded storytelling, and complex characters of the story, these shows, similar to ‘‘Heweliusz’ will entertain you.
8. The Investigation (2020)
‘The Investigation’ or ‘Efterforskningen’ follows the experiences of Jens Møller (Søren Malling), the chief of Copenhagen Police’s Homicide unit. The crux of the show is the aftermath of the murder of a thirty-year-old female Swedish journalist named Kim Wall. As the case falls on the shoulders of Møller, he must find a way to solve it and ensure justice for the victim. In his efforts, he is helped by Chief Prosecutor Jakob Buch-Jepsen (Pilou Asbæk), who also plays a vital role in the story. Based on real incidents, the Danish crime drama series, written and directed by Tobias Lindholm, is a brutal examination of truth. Like ‘Heweliusz,’ it is based on a true story and looks at the intricate workings of the state system. Characters in both stories battle against the odds to secure justice for the victims.
7. Five Days at Memorial (2022)
Apple TV+’s ‘Five Days at Memorial’ recounts the harrowing five days at a New Orleans hospital in the aftermath of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. The medical drama series, created by John Ridley and Carlton Cuse, examines the struggles of doctors, nurses, and other medical staff in the ICU of the hospital as they face power outages. Dr. Anna Pou (Vera Farmiga), Susan Mulderick (Cherry Jones), and others find themselves fighting against the odds in the show based on Sheri Fink’s book titled ‘Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital.’ The narrative is connected to ‘Heweliusz’ as it is also based on true events and features a visually tense depiction of individual struggles. The two shows are spiritually connected due to the theme of survival.
6. The North Water (2021)
BBC Two’s ‘The North Water,’ based on Ian McGuire’s novel of the same name, narrates the tale of Patrick Sumner (Jack O’Connell), a former army surgeon seeking redemption after disgrace. In the show created by Andrew Haigh, he joins an Arctic expedition as the ship’s doctor and hopes to improve his life in the British mystery drama series. During the journey, he encounters Henry Drax (Colin Farrell), the harpooner of the ship, who also happens to be a savage killer with dangerous ideas. Patrick’s journey and his quest to leave his horrific past behind turn into a desperate attempt for survival in the unforgiving Arctic wilderness in the company of a killer. On the lines of ‘Heweliusz,’ it features elements of danger involving the ocean. The shows contain similar visual tones, while also dealing with the ideas of survival in the face of existential threats.
5. The Terror (2018–2025)
‘The Terror’ is a supernatural, semi-historical horror anthology series where each season explores a real-life incident. The first season chronicles the ordeal of the British warships, the HMS Terror and the HMS Erebus, as they become ice-trapped in the Arctic while searching for the Northwest Passage. The crews, including Captain Francis Crozier (Jared Harris) and Commander James Fitzjames (Tobias Menzies), face unimaginable hardship while being hunted by a demonic polar bear. The second season follows a Japanese-American man who investigates a series of supernatural attacks, which may be the work of a shapeshifter.
Created by David Kajganich, Max Borenstein, and Alexander Woo, talks about survival in all its complexities. Based on the eponymous novel by Dan Simmons, the AMC series resembles ‘Heweliusz’ due to its haunting depiction of disasters based on true events. Despite the differences in the plot, both shows feature portrayal of maritime crises, and the way people deal with them.
4. High Water (2022)
Netflix’s ‘High Water’ or ‘Wielka woda’ chronicles the efforts of government officers and scientists when the city of Wrocławia is faced with incoming floods in 1997. The individuals responsible for the handling of the crisis find themselves in a tough spot as they must make decisions that could either ensure the death or survival of others. The situation gets more complex when it is suggested that the surrounding villages be flooded in order to save the urban areas. Amidst the chaos, hydrologist Jaśmina Treme (Agnieszka Zulewska) faces tough battles as she returns to the city after many years to manage the floods. Created by Jan Holoubek and Bartłomiej Ignaciuk, the Polish historical drama series is based on real events, just like ‘Heweliusz.’ Both narratives involve elements of water-related disaster, survival, and moral complexities.
3. The Days (2023)
Created by Jun Masumoto, Netflix’s ‘The Days’ depicts the immediate aftermath of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Okuma, Japan. Based on ‘On the Brink: The Inside Story of Fukushima Daiichi’ by Ryusho Kadota, it follows the Japanese government, Tokyo Electric Power Company, and the factory workers as they try to manage the resulting Fukushima nuclear disaster. Masao Yoshida (Kôji Yakusho) and others must handle the crisis, while also facing a tough battle against popular perceptions of the event. Akin to ‘Heweliusz,’ the Japanese drama series depicts real incidents, while also dramatizing the harrowing experiences of the people involved.
2. Estonia (2023-)
‘Estonia’ narrates the sinking of the MS Estonia, Europe’s deadliest civil maritime disaster in 1994. It chronicles the incident and aftermath, using new footage and interviews to explore the details and potential causes. Following the official investigation across Finland, Sweden, and Estonia, the Finnish drama series created by Miikko Oikkonen integrates multiple perspectives, including those of Henri Peltonen (Jussi Nikkilä). The viewpoints, ranging from events on the car ferry, the sinking, and the rescue efforts, are all based on actual investigation reports. On the lines of ‘Heweliusz,’ it is grounded in reality and dramatizes the happenings around the real incidents it is based on.
1. Chernobyl (2019)
Created by Craig Mazin, HBO’s ‘Chernobyl’ is a dramatic retelling of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986 in the Soviet Union. The nuclear leak causes a catastrophic situation in the country and in the geopolitical neighborhood as it becomes increasingly dangerous. The historical drama series looks at the incident from the perspectives of various characters, including Valery Legasov (Jared Harris) and Boris Shcherbina (Stellan Skarsgård) as they try to make sense of one of the biggest tragedies. Based on true events, the series is intricately connected to ‘Heweliusz’ due to its portrayal of disastrous incidents from multiple perspectives. The elements of truth and justice in all their complexities are explored in both shows in similar visual tones.
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