Netflix’s recently released Polish miniseries, Hound’s Hill, might disappoint viewers with its narrative choices, given the way it pretends to be a slow-burn thriller only to jam-pack all the plot threads into one of the most ludicrous endings ever seen. But at the same time, it should be acknowledged that there was no dearth of efforts from the cast, who were exceptionally good at highlighting the ambiguous, unreliable nature of the characters they played in the series. The strong performances of the cast allowed the series to swiftly juggle between plot threads based on dysfunctional parental relationships, small-town power struggles and corruption, the role of the media, and the state of judiciary control—providing a rough idea about the socio-political condition of Poland, that is until the series’ ending messed up everything. For what it’s worth, the drawbacks of the series highlight that, with a better script, the cast could have surely offered something memorable.
Tomasz Glowacki Played By Robert Wieckiewicz
Polish Actor Robert Wieckiewicz is a well-reputed name in Polish media, having a career that spans three decades and starring in a number of acclaimed silver screen and small screen roles. Some of his notable performances include playing the role of Lech Walesa in the biographical movie, Walesa: Man of Hope, and Leopold Socha in the historical drama In Darkness. In Hound’s Hill, Robert Wieckiewicz played the role of Tomasz ‘Tomek’ Glowacki, the traditional-minded patriarchal figure of the Glowacki family, who appears to be a guardian figure for his community in the small township of Zybork. A hotheaded, perceptive individual, Tomek is a people’s champion in the way he seems to genuinely care about the well-being of the townsfolk and upholds the values and ideals ingrained into the simplistic lifestyle of the residents of Zybork. From the way he vehemently opposes the aggressive takeover of the political, authoritarian regime in control of Zybork, he risks himself and his family to stop outsider German investors from turning the town into an instrument of capitalism. Irrespective of what his intentions were, in reality, Tomek is a wolf in sheep’s guise, as along with his loyalists, he brandishes his own puritanical form of violent justice—as seen in the way he orchestrated the brutal killings of Daria’s murderers. In fact, he punishes those who remained silent even after knowing the truth in a similar manner. Tomek’s idea of justice stems from regressive, patriarchal social values that propagate lawlessness to justify putting an end to similar lawless behaviors.
Tomek’s toxic influence on his son, Mikolaj, is significant enough for us to realize what kind of a person he truly is. Although it remains unknown whether Tomek was aware of Mikolaj’s involvement in Daria’s harrowing demise, after that particular incident, a rift was created between father and son, as Mikolaj gave in to addiction for a long while. Despite making a career after moving out of Zybork, Mikolaj continued craving his father’s approval, while hating him for his lack of attention. Finally, after returning to Zybork, when Mikolaj loses himself again after resorting to addiction following his conflict with Justyna and the resurgence of the trauma of past memories, Tomek takes him under his wings by showing him tough love through revealing his true face to him. Tomek is cunning enough to not choose to be mayor of the town even while having the best opportunity to be in that position, as he can command much more control from the shadows.
Justyna Played by Jasmina Polak
Polish actor Jasmina Polak had found acclaim for her role in movies like Hardkor Disko, The Cracks, and Green Border. Playing the role of Justyna, the idealist investigative journalist in Hound’s Hill, Jasmina’s performance provided depth to the character by showcasing her different facets. Justyna appears as a loving, supporting wife the way she helped Mikolaj to get over his addiction, then again she couldn’t help but fall for her editor with whom she was engaged in an extramarital affair to cope with her loneliness. As a journalist with a certain integrity Justyna is willing to put even her career on the line to serve true justice by helping Tomek to protect his town, Zybork, from the coalition of corrupt small-town administration and seedy corporates. However, at the end, Justyna’s idealism and naiveté turns to be the reason for her undoing, as she becomes aware of Tomek’s true nature. The worst part is Mikolaj leaves her as well, as he too gives in to his darker side, resulting in Justyna returning to her old life with deep remorse and guilt.
Mikolaj Glowacki Played By Mateusz Kosciukiewicz
Polish actor Mateusz Kosciukiewicz has acted in a number of Polish movies and drama series, and some of his recent work includes roles in Informer, Netflix’s thriller series 1983, and the anthropomorphic drama movie EO. Mateusz’s performance as Mikolaj, a troubled writer haunted by his past, was one of the highlights of Hound’s Hill. Mikolaj’s deep-seated guilt and remorse caused by his girlfriend Daria’s horrifying assault and murder cover up the truth about him being an accomplice, or an active participant as a perpetrator who subjected the poor teenage girl to hell. As a result, Mikolaj continues to see Daria’s spirit taunting him for his past actions, reminding him about the truth he denies so vehemently that he wrote a book to absolve himself through his self-pity, holding the townsfolk to be accountable for all the miseries in his life. Mikolaj accepts his true self by siding with his father and turns his back on the only voice of reason in his life—his wife, Justyna. However, Mikolaj is doomed to suffer forever, no matter whether he tries to escape his past or embrace it, as the series ends with showing Mikolaj relapsing to his addiction to cope with his troubling reality.
Miscellaneous Characters
Among the supporting cast of Hound’s Hill, Polish actor Jan Dravnel’s portrayal of the mentally unstable brother of Daria, Gizmo, who was unjustly framed for his sister’s assault and murder, left a mark. The role of Daria and Gizmo’s sister, Kaska, was portrayed by Zofia Stafiez, whose performance was memorable despite having brief screen time.
