SkyShowtime Expands Polish Originals with New Series ‘Pionek’

Streaming service SkyShowtime has officially announced the continuation of its acclaimed Polish crime drama, Śleboda, under the working title Pionek. The show, which quickly became a top performer in the market, will return for a new season, further exploring the gripping narrative established in the original series. This news was confirmed by the joint venture of Comcast and Paramount Skydance on Thursday.

Continuing a Successful Narrative

Pionek will draw from the second novel in the popular series written by Małgorzata Fugiel-Kuźmińska and Michał Kuźmiński, which originally inspired Śleboda. Production for the new season is set to commence later this year. The series will again feature lead actors Maria Dębska and Maciej Musiał, reprising their roles as Anka Serafin and Sebastian Strzygoń, respectively.

In Śleboda, viewers followed Anka, a young anthropologist, as she navigated a murder mystery in the picturesque Podhale region, located at the foot of the Tatra mountains. The series captivated audiences with its blend of personal discovery and suspense, quickly making it the best-performing series for SkyShowtime in Poland and leading to its availability across the platform’s more than 20 global markets.

A Commitment to Local Talent

Creative talents behind Pionek will include writers Karolina Frankowska and Katarzyna Golenia, with direction from Michał Gazda and Bartosz Blaschke. Cinematography will be managed by Maciej Lisiecki. Producing the series will be Magdalena Szwedkowicz of MAG Entertainment, known for her work on projects such as Forgotten Love.

According to Kai Finke, Chief Content Officer of SkyShowtime, the recommission of Pionek signifies a thrilling new chapter in Polish drama. Finke expressed enthusiasm for continuing the dynamic storyline of Anka and Sebastian, emphasizing the platform’s commitment to authentic, locally produced content that resonates with viewers.

The upcoming series joins a growing roster of original Polish productions available on SkyShowtime, which includes titles like The Cop. A New Chapter and the anticipated documentary series Krychowiak: One Step From the Top.

As streaming platforms increasingly focus on localized content, SkyShowtime’s investment in Pionek reflects a broader trend towards enriching the viewing experience with culturally relevant narratives that engage diverse audiences.