Warner Bros. Discovery Announces THE EASTERNGATE As One Of The First Max Original Series In Poland

THE EASTERNGATE is one of the first Max Original series in Poland, which started production in March 2024.

THE EASTERNGATE is a suspense thriller series that delves into the world of modern espionage during an emerging conflict and international unrest. It paints a vivid picture of the clandestine world while also exploring the personal struggles of an individual caught in the web of the secret service.

NATO’s eastern flank, Russian war maneuvers at a hotspot of strategic importance for the entire continent. THE EASTERNGATE follows the journey of Ewa Oginiec, who, after a personal drama, aims to exit the secret service and start over. Things take a twist when her partner, also an agent, gets outed by Russian intelligence and vanishes mysteriously.

The series explores the mechanism of provocation on the global stage, as well as the high stakes-battle between intelligence agencies in a world gripped by the complexities of hybrid warfare.

The title THE EASTERNGATE refers to the Suwałki Gap, which is a critical spot along the border between Poland and Lithuania, both NATO member states, as well as Belarus and Russia (including the Kaliningrad Oblast which is a separate exclave from the main Russian territory). The Suwałki Gap is widely recognized as one of Europe’s top three hotspots, a critical territory for protecting NATO’s eastern flank and maintaining regional stability.

The narrative unfolds during the spring of 2021 – in Belarus (Minsk), Poland, and Russia.

Ewa Ogniniec is played by Polish actress Lena Góra. The series is directed by award-winning Jan P. Matuszyński.

About Lena Góra: Born in Poland, Lena began her acting career at 16 she went on to perform on stage in London and New York. Her TV debut was the female lead role in the 2019 CANAL+ awarded TV series “The King of Warsaw.” Her portrayal of her own mother in “Imago,” a movie which she also wrote, got her recognition and awards such as the Best Polish Actress in Leading Role during 48. FPFF, the film also won best music and the Silver Lions as well as the FIPRESCI Critics Award for Best Film during 2023 Karlovy Vary Film Festival. Lena is also starring alongside John Hawkes in Roving Woman, a feature film, which she also co-wrote, executive produced by Wim Wenders which premiered at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival in New York. Some of her other films include “Traveling Light” directed by Bernard Rose, a Netflix Original Feature “A Night At The Kindergarten” or “Saint.” Lena is the winner of the Bella Women’s Golden Angel Award for Best European Actress 2023, Silver Lions and Best Actress in Leading Role at 48. FPFF. She is represented exclusively by LBI Entertainment.

About Jan P. Matuszyński: Jan P. Matuszyński is one of the most interesting European movie creators. Winner of the Golden Lion in Gdynia Film Festival for the film “The Last Family.” Director of the series “Król” as well as the film “Leave No Traces” – the Polish candidate for the Oscar in 2022 (shown in the main competition in Venice International Film Festival). His international project “Minghun” will soon premiere, starring Marcin Dorociński in the leading role. The casting for the film took place also in the United States, Great Britain, and France.