If The Pitt left you craving more intense, morally complex medical drama, Netflix has an answer coming from an unexpected corner of Europe. Anesthesia (Znieczulenie), a brand-new Polish medical drama series, is heading to Netflix globally in the second half of 2026 — and the premise alone is enough to put it firmly on your watchlist.
Anesthesia Netflix Series — Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Title | Anesthesia (Znieczulenie) |
| Country | Poland |
| Genre | Medical Drama / Procedural |
| Network | Netflix (Global) |
| Release Window | Second half of 2026 |
| Director | Lukasz Ostalski |
| Lead Actor | Leszek Lichota |
| Female Lead | Aleksandra Poplawska |
| Medical Consultant | Neal Baer (ER, Law & Order: SVU) |
What Is Anesthesia About?
The show follows a brilliant but arrogant neurosurgeon who is forced out of a prestigious clinic following a failed operation. He finds himself reassigned to a small county hospital where his big-city attitude immediately clashes with the staff and locals — but his unconventional, rule-bending methods turn out to be exactly what the patients there desperately need.
Think House M.D. energy with a gritty Eastern European texture. Netflix’s own description teases ethical dilemmas, moral grey areas, and a protagonist who is simultaneously infuriating and indispensable — the kind of character TV drama does best.
The Team Behind the Show
Director Lukasz Ostalski previously helmed Netflix Poland’s Family Secrets (2022). The writing team includes Dana Łukasińska (Infamia) and Bartosz Janiszewski (The Breslau Murders), bringing solid genre experience to the room.
What really sets this apart from typical international medical shows is the involvement of Neal Baer as medical consultant. Baer is a real-world paediatrician who worked on the landmark medical series ER in its early seasons before becoming a veteran showrunner on Law & Order: SVU. His involvement signals Netflix is genuinely committed to medical authenticity here — not just surface-level hospital aesthetics.
Anesthesia : Cast
Leading the series is Leszek Lichota, a hugely popular Polish actor best known internationally as the lead of Netflix’s hit 2023 film Forgotten Love. His co-star Aleksandra Poplawska, who appeared alongside him in HBO’s Wataha, plays the female lead. The supporting ensemble includes Filip Kowalewicz, Karolina Gruszka, Dorota Kolak, and Gamou Fall.
This is part of Netflix Poland’s massive 12-title 2026 slate that also includes 1670 Season 3, the rock biopic Less of a Stranger, and the classic literary adaptation The Doll. For more on upcoming global Netflix originals and everything streaming in 2026, check out our complete Netflix and OTT coverage at TechnoSports and our international series preview guide.
