Sky and Peacock announce today that multi-Academy Award®-winning composer Hans Zimmer (Inception, Interstellar, Dune) and Kara Talve (Prehistoric Planet) will compose the score for upcoming adaptation of globally bestselling novel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz, produced by Synchronicity Films in association with Sky Studios and All3Media International.

The limited series, which completed filming in Europe this summer and stars Jonah Hauer-King, (The Little Mermaid, World on Fire), Anna Próchniak (Baptiste, Warsaw 44), Harvey Keitel (The Irishman, Youth), Melanie Lynskey (The Last of Us, Yellowjackets), and Jonas Nay (Deutschland 83, 86, 89), is set to debut globally next year and will be the first TV drama series fully composed by Hans Zimmer and Kara Talve.

Zimmer, who is best known for his iconic soundtracks to movies The Lion King, Rain Man, Gladiator, and The Dark Knight, will work alongside Kara Talve who is set to score Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming project, Faraway Downs, and is part of Bleeding Fingers, an Emmy-winning and BAFTA-nominated composer collective that was co-founded by Zimmer.

Hans Zimmer says: "Within the depths of Auschwitz, here is a story of hope and love, that transcends boundaries and resonates with the very essence of our humanity. I stand humbled to be part of this extraordinary production and both Kara and I are deeply privileged to compose this score. We invite you to join us on this journey, as we celebrate the human spirit and the power of hope within the darkest corners of history.”

Kara Talve says: “This is a dream project for me; not only does it challenge me artistically but also deeply resonates personally. Like millions of others, my family perished in the camps and to have the privilege to work alongside this incredibly talented team and help bring this story of hope to life has been a unique chance to reflect and as it stands has been the most honorable undertaking of my career thus far.”

Based on the globally bestselling novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris, the limited series is inspired by the true-life story of Lale and Gita Sokolov.

Lale (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 SS officer Baretzki (Jonas Nay), Lale and Gita became determined to keep each other alive. 

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

Claire Mundell, Executive Producer for Synchronicity Films, adds: “Everyone at Synchronicity is honoured that Kara and Hans will be scoring The Tattooist of Auschwitz, especially given this is the first time Hans has composed a UK high-end scripted series. This is a poignant story and we couldn't be prouder to be working with them both on a project which resonates so strongly.”

The Tattooist of Auschwitz is produced by Synchronicity Films in association with Sky Studios and All3Media International, The Tattooist of Auschwitz was commissioned by Serena Thompson, Executive Producer at Sky Studios for Zai Bennett, Managing Director of Content, Sky UK. Claire Mundell is Executive Producer for Synchronicity Films. Lead Writer Jacquelin Perske is also an Executive Producer on the project and Heather Morris is Story Consultant. Evan Placey and Gabbie Asher are episode writers. Director Tali Shalom-Ezer is directing all six episodes.

NBCUniversal Global Distribution and All3Media International are jointly handling international sales of the series. Stan, Australia’s leading local streamer is taking the Original rights to the series in their territory, with Viaplay taking Viaplay Series rights for Nordics (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland), Baltics (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), the Netherlands, and Poland.

New line: The series will be available on Sky Atlantic and streamer service Now in 2024 in the U.K. and Ireland, Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland and on Peacock in the US.

Photo credits:

Zoe Zimmer (left)

Sage Etters (right)