5 Minutes
Introduction and Context
One of Poland's most enduring crime dramas is back. SkyShowtime has announced the return of Glina — internationally titled The Cop. A New Chapter (Glina. Nowy rozdział) — marking the franchise's comeback 17 years after it last aired. The continuation will premiere on October 16 across more than 20 territories on the European streamer SkyShowtime, a joint venture between Comcast and Paramount. The revival reunites fans with the Warsaw Homicide Department and promises a modern, cinematic take on a show that originally ran on TVP from 2004 to 2008.
Plot and Content Overview
The new season thrusts viewers once again into the morally ambiguous streets of Warsaw. Series veterans Artur Banaś (Maciej Stuhr) and Jóźwiak (Jacek Braciak) remain at the center of the Homicide Department, now navigating a city that has changed in ways both obvious and subtle. They are joined by Tamara Rudnik (Nela Maciejewska), a young, ambitious officer whose arrival forces the squad to confront new crimes and old habits. According to the official synopsis, Rudnik is "thrown into the heart of the brutal Warsaw underworld, where the lines between good and evil often blur dangerously," and as each case deepens, the detectives face ruthless criminals and their own inner demons.
Artistic Direction and Cinematography
A refreshed visual language
The Cop. A New Chapter appears to lean into atmospheric, neo-noir cinematography, using Warsaw's urban textures as both backdrop and character. Early visuals shared by SkyShowtime hint at high-contrast lighting, rain-slicked streets, and intimate close-ups that prioritize performance over spectacle. Such a visual approach aligns with current trends in premium television: cinematic framing, measured pacing, and production design that foregrounds authenticity. Warsaw-based indie Apple Film produces the series with scripts by Maciej Maciejewski, suggesting continuity with the tonal DNA of the original while embracing contemporary streaming aesthetics.
Cast and Crew Highlights
Returning leads and new energy
Maciej Stuhr returns as Artur Banaś, reflecting on how the character's years in the force have left a deep mark. Jacek Braciak's Jóźwiak remains the solid, old-fashioned presence whose toughness conceals a family-centric heart. Newcomer Nela Maciejewska brings the fresh, kinetic energy of Tamara Rudnik — a role she describes as a long-held dream: "I always wanted to play a policewoman — a strong, determined woman who runs, shoots, and investigates." Behind the camera, Apple Film's production values and Maciejewski's scripts indicate a commitment to elevated storytelling and tight procedural plotting.
Reception, Impact, and Cultural Relevance
Glina's return taps into the international appetite for regional crime dramas that combine local specificity with universal themes: corruption, loyalty, and moral ambiguity. The original series earned a devoted following in Poland during 2004–2008, and making classic episodes available on SkyShowtime ahead of the launch smartly primes new viewers and nostalgic fans alike. The revival also reflects the broader influence of streaming platforms in reintroducing and repackaging national TV heritage for global audiences — a trend that continues to reshape how film and television history is preserved and rediscovered.
Critical Perspective and Review
The Cop. A New Chapter faces a familiar challenge: balancing nostalgia for long-time viewers with the need to reinvent for contemporary audiences. Early indicators — casting, production team, and the tonal teaser — suggest the series aims to do both. If the show leans into character-driven storytelling and layered cinematography, it could become a standout example of Polish crime drama on the international stage. Potential pitfalls include overreliance on legacy plot points or a mismatch between the slow-burn tone and streaming viewers' expectations. Still, with seasoned actors like Stuhr and Braciak combined with fresh blood in Maciejewska, the series is well positioned to be both a critical and cultural talking point when it premieres on October 16.
For fans of high-quality series, international crime drama, and artful cinematography, The Cop. A New Chapter is a revival worth watching — a thoughtful exploration of policing, memory, and the changing face of Warsaw's underworld.
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