Variola Vera (ep. 1, 2)

A new series from Polish Television tells the story of an unexpected epidemic in Wrocław. “The Black Death” combines elements of a medical thriller with a spy-like atmosphere, focusing on characters forced to confront an invisible enemy. The action begins on May 22, 1963, in Wrocław. When Łucja Winter completes her foreign intelligence mission, no one anticipates that the capital of Lower Silesia will soon become the epicenter of a dangerous infectious disease. The outbreak of smallpox rapidly transforms the face of the entire city. Authorities make a drastic decision to impose isolation, leading to the creation of a kind of social microcosm. The residents of Wrocław find themselves cut off from the outside world, beginning an unprecedented struggle for survival. 
At the heart of the drama are two key characters representing contrasting attitudes. Weronika Przybysz embodies the scientific approach to the crisis — as a young specialist, she leads a team of doctors striving to contain the spreading disease. Igor Bielik, a representative of the journalistic world, is an investigative reporter who suspects hidden connections between Łucja’s return from India and the outbreak of the epidemic.