Hearts of courage

A powerful drama explores a true-life romance set against a backdrop of unspeakable horror

- CAREN CLARK, SEAN MARLAND

NEW DRAMA 
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Thu, 9pm, Sky Atlantic & Sky Showcase (box set, Sky Box Sets & NOW)

Following the death of his adored wife Gita in 2003, Lali Sokolov recounted the poignant story of how they fell in love amid the devastation of Auschwitz to budding author Heather Morris. The writer eventually turned Lali's recollections into a bestselling 2018 book, The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and now Sky's inspirational six-part drama brings the story to our screens.

The series begins as Jewish octogenarian Lali (Harvey Keitel) is living in Australia and sharing his memories with writer Heather (Melanie Lynskey). Flashbacks then reveal how, in 1942, the young Lali (Jonah Hauer-King), who was born in what is now Slovakia, is sent to the Nazi concentration camp.

There, he reluctantly becomes a tattooist, branding identification numbers on his fellow prisoners, including spirited Gita (Anna Próchniak), with whom he forms an instant connection.