Series synopsis
The Thaw, also known as Odwilż is a drama crime mystery television series that premiered on HBO Max on April 1, 2022. It was created by Valery Todorovsky. It stars Katarzyna Wajda, Bartłomiej Kotschedoff, Cezary Łukaszewicz and Juliusz Chrząstowski.
The series is set in 1961. Cameraman Viktor Khrustalyov is in a difficult situation; he is suspected of being involved in the death of his friend, talented screenwriter Kostya Parshin, who committed suicide during a drinking-bout. The authorities try to put Khrustalyov in prison by any means. Viktor needs to shoot the comedy "The Girl and the Brigadier" in order to get permission to make the film "Shards" after the wonderful scenario left from his deceased screenwriter friend. Young director Yeg ...
Premise
The series is set in 1961. Cameraman Viktor Khrustalyov is in a difficult situation; he is suspected of being involved in the death of his friend, talented screenwriter Kostya Parshin, who committed suicide during a drinking-bout. The authorities try to put Khrustalyov in prison by any means. Viktor needs to shoot the comedy "The Girl and the Brigadier" in order to get permission to make the film "Shards" after the wonderful scenario left from his deceased screenwriter friend. Young director Yegor Myachin wants to adаpt this screenplay. Khrustalyov arranges him as a trainee to the venerable director Krivitsky for a comedy. In the same film act Khrustalev's ex-wife Inga and his young sweetheart Maryana, with whom Yegor Myachin is also in love.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Katarzyna Wajda as Katarzyna Zawieja
- Bartłomiej Kotschedoff as Krzysztof Trepa
- Cezary Łukaszewicz as Andrzej Radwan
- Juliusz Chrząstowski as Bogdan Pietrzak
- Karol Dziuba as Piotr Madejski
- Agnieszka Dygant as Maria Lańska
- Marta Malikowska as Ada Kamińska
- Sebastian Fabijański as Marcin Kosiński
Supporting cast
- Piotr Trojan as Tomasz Woźniak
- Mirosław Zbrojewicz as Andrzej Lański
- Nikodem Rozbicki as Marek Lański
- Andrzej Grabowski as Jan Zawieja
- Tomasz Schuchardt as Wiktor Molski
- Bogusław Linda as Michał Strzelecki
- Aleksander Kaleta as Oliwier Galewski
- Eryk Kulm as Paweł Lański
- Andrzej Konopka as Stanisław Galewski
- Arkadiusz Buszko as Policeman
- Joanna Matuszak as Policewoman Aneta
- Konrad Pawicki as Policeman
Guest cast
- Arkadiusz Buszko as Policeman
- Joanna Matuszak as Policewoman Aneta
- Konrad Pawicki as Policeman
- Wojciech Sandach as Policeman 'Cichy'
- Konrad Beta as Policeman
- Adam Kuzycz-Berezowski as Policeman
- Anna Krotoska
- Agnieszka Pilaszewska as Mirosława Janas
- Mirosław Kropielnicki
- Natalia Sikora as Journalist
- Paweł Adamski
- Marcin Kłosiński
Episodes
This series spans 3 seasons with 18 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 6 | April 1, 2022 | April 15, 2022 |
| Season 2 | 6 | August 23, 2024 | September 27, 2024 |
| Season 3 | 6 | October 17, 2025 | November 21, 2025 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 Still reeling from her husband’s death, Detective Katarzyna Zawieja launches an investigation into a murder of a young woman and her missing newborn. |
April 1, 2022 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Zawieja investigates the links between the murder and the suspicious debts and business dealings of the victim’s husband Kosiński. |
April 1, 2022 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 As Zawieja and Trepa search for links between the victim and former patients at a psychiatric hospital where she worked, Strzelecki receives a suspicious package. |
April 8, 2022 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode One After encountering a suspicious shipping container, Katarzyna is tasked with bringing down a crime lord with ties to a notorious trafficking ring. |
August 23, 2024 |
| 2 |
Episode Two After learning a dark truth about her late husband's undercover work, Zawieja makes a series of rash decisions that could jeopardize the case. |
August 30, 2024 |
| 3 |
Episode Three As she loses herself in her work, Zawieja discovers another shocking connection between her past, Oliwier's murder and the trafficking ring. |
September 6, 2024 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode One Having been demoted to a beat cop, Katarzyna Zawieja investigates a spate of drug overdoses while balancing an increasingly chaotic home life. |
October 17, 2025 |
| 2 |
Episode Two After the murder of a high-school teacher reveals a connection to the local drug trade, Zawieja and Trepa investigate possible leads. |
October 24, 2025 |
| 3 |
Episode Three As tensions flare between Zawieja and Trepa, the investigation uncovers a possible gang war brewing between Nowak and Molski. |
October 31, 2025 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | HBO Max |
|---|---|
| First aired | April 1, 2022 |
| Last aired | November 21, 2025 |
| Runtime | 50 minutes |
| Status | continue |
| Schedule | Friday |