Holocaust-Themed Novels Become TV Series

Best-selling Holocaust novels “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” and “We Were the Lucky Ones,” are coming to television in 2020.

Based on the true story of Ludwig ‘Lale’ Sokolov, who tattooed identification numbers on the arms of fellow prisoners and fell in love with one of them— a young woman named Gita— “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” is set to be made into a series debuting in 2020 by Synchronicity Films.

Author Heather Morris met Sokolov in 2003 and originally wrote about his life story as a screenplay before reshaping it into her debut novel.

“Lale Sokolov placed a great deal of trust in me when he first shared his story. I am now passing that baton on and am so pleased that Synchronicity Films was successful in negotiating for the rights,” Morris said in a statement. “I know Lale will be smiling down at this new phase of his and Gita’s story.”

Also based on a true story, “We Were the Lucky Ones” chronicles the saga of several members of a Polish-Jewish family fighting to survive, and ultimately reunite, after being torn apart by World War II and the atrocities of the Holocaust. Old 320 Sycamore has optioned Georgia Hunter’s novel, which was inspired by her grandfather’s wartime experiences.

“Georgia and I have been friends for almost 20 years. I remember, years ago, when she first mentioned her desire to illuminate this remarkable piece of her family history,” Old 320 Sycamore’s Thomas Kail said. “I am overjoyed to be partnering with her to create a television version of this story that honors this incredible book.”

No air date has been set yet.