The Thaw

A frozen river gives up a body, and an investigation opens not just into a death but into everything the dead woman left behind. Set in Szczecin, The Thaw follows local investigators and people tied to the case as they try to piece together who she was, how she died, and the lives she touched. The series moves slowly through interviews, crime scenes, and quiet streets, letting the environment and small details suggest motives and history. Personal histories surface, loyalties are tested, and the community's routines start to show cracks as the search for answers widens without promising tidy resolutions.

The Thaw premiered in 2022 and is a Polish production starring Katarzyna Wajda, Bartłomiej Kotschedoff, Juliusz Chrząstowski, Karol Dziuba, and Marta Malikowska, bringing a somewhat literary, character-driven feel to a crime framework.

There are no records of major international awards or high-profile nominations for the series. It did not appear on prominent global award shortlists, so its recognition has been more modest and largely regional.

On release the show drew mixed responses, holding an average user score of about 6.47 out of 10 from 60 votes. Viewers and reviewers tended to praise the cast and the setting while noting the pacing can be slow and the procedural elements familiar. The small sample of reactions suggests it appeals most to viewers who prefer atmosphere and character over high-octane plot twists.

The series left a mark on conversations about contemporary Polish crime drama, mainly for its use of Szczecin as more than a backdrop, and for how the melting ice motif underscores memory and exposure. It inspired discussion among fans of Nordic-style mood pieces, and contributed to a growing interest in regionally rooted mysteries on streaming and local TV.