‘The Tattooist of Auschwitz’ Teaser: Melanie Lynskey Listens to Harvey Keitel Relive Meeting His Wife in a Concentration Camp

Samantha Bergeson
·2 min read
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Melanie Lynskey is continuing her TV reign, and this time, is part of a decades-sweeping true story.

The “Yellowjackets” and “The Last of Us” star is part of the ensemble cast of “The Tattooist of Auschwitz,” based on the novel of the same name. Lynskey portrays real-life author Heather Morris, who interviewed Holocaust survivor Lali Sokolov (Harvey Keitel) about meeting his future wife Gina (Anna Próchniak) in a concentration camp. The novel is inspired by the real-life love story of Lali and Gita Sokolov, who met while prisoners in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during the Holocaust.

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The official synopsis reads: “‘The Tattooist of Auschwitz’ is an event series inspired by the real-life story of Jewish Holocaust survivors Lali and Gita Sokolov. Lali (Jonah Hauer-King) arrived at Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1942, and shortly after arrival, he was made one of the tätowierer (tattooists), charged to ink identification numbers onto fellow prisoners’ arms. One day, he meets Gita (Anna Próchniak) when tattooing her prisoner number on her arm. They experience love at first sight, and so begins a courageous, unforgettable, and human story. Under constant guard from a volatile Nazi SS officer Baretzki (Jonas Nay), Lali and Gita became determined to keep each other alive.

Around 60 years later, Lali (Harvey Keitel) meets novice writer Heather Morris (Melanie Lynskey). Recently widowed, Lali finds the courage to tell the world his story. In recounting his story to Heather, Lali, in his 80s, faces the traumatic ghosts of his youth and relives his memories of falling in love in the most horrific of places.”

Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer and Kara Talve comprise the score for the period piece.

The six-episode series is produced by Synchronicity Films and is a coproduction for Sky and Peacock. The show will premieres on Peacock in the U.S. and on streaming service NOW in the U.K., Ireland, Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland this May. The series is distributed by NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution and All3Media International.

“The Tattooist of Auschwitz” is executive produced by Claire Mundell, Adrian Burns and Mark Young (Synchronicity Films), Serena Thompson (Sky Studios), with director Tali Shalom-Ezer and writer Jacquelin Perske. Fellow series writer Evan Placey is an associate producer; Gabbie Asher also writes.

Author Heather Morris, whom Lynskey portrays in the series, served as a story consultant.

Outside of “The Tattooist of Auschwitz,” Lynskey is set to reprise her role for an expected “Yellowjackets” Season 3, and even teased a possible “Two and a Half Men” reunion.

“The Tattooist of Auschwitz” premieres May 2 on Peacock. Check out the teaser below.

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