Obsessed with spy thrillers that have a political or historical edge? Then Winter of the Crow should be firmly on your radar! The upcoming film, set in Cold War-era Poland, sees the The Crown's Lesley Manville step into an epic new role and revolves around a gripping race against the clock that ensues when the country declares emergency martial law.

Manville plays Dr. Joan Andrews, a psychiatry professor visiting Warsaw in 1981, just as the country descends into chaos. As martial law is declared, the streets fill with tension - and after Joan witnesses a brutal murder carried out by the secret police (nicknamed the ‘Crows’), she becomes a target herself. Alone, out of her depth and hunted in a foreign country, Dr. Joan must fight for her own survival.

While we wait for the Winter of the Crow to hit the big screen, here’s everything you need to know about it, from the cast to the plot, to how to watch it.

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What is Winter of the Crow about?

The film based on a 1998 short story by called Professor Andrews Goes to Warsaw by author Olga Tokarczuk, Starring Lesley Manville and Tom Burke, the film follows British psychiatry academic (Manville) who arrives in Warsaw as a guest university lecturer just as the country imposes martial law. As the official synopsis explains: “Taxis have been replaced by tanks; citizens are treated like criminals. But as chaos engulfs the city, armed with her camera she witnesses a brutal murder by the secret police.”

“In mortal danger and trapped as Poland is closed down, Joan becomes a hunted fugitive running for her life. Using her intellect and newly formed connection with a young student, Joan navigates the labyrinthine streets of Warsaw desperately battling against the clock to make the last plane out. British Ambassador (Tom Burke, picture in Strike below) could be her ally, but can he trust those who are working with him?

“Compelled by a conscience she did not know she had, Joan finds the courage and determination to try and outsmart a totalitarian regime and pursue a path to justice for her new Polish friends. But in the face of such oppression, will she make the last flight home and manage to get her incriminating photos out into the world?”

Gabrielle Stewart, CEO of HanWay Films, told Variety: “As a Cold War spy thriller, Winter of the Crow feels truly original in that the lead protagonist is an everyday woman who is challenged to step up and make a difference in a completely unique situation. Lesley Manville will be simply brilliant and we can’t wait to reveal footage of this incredible film.”

Who’s in the cast of Winter of the Crow?

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Steffan Hill

The cast of Winter of the Crow includes:

  • Lesley Manville
  • Tom Burke
  • Zofia Wichłacz
  • Andrzej Konopka

What happened during Poland’s Cold War era that Winter of the Crow depicts?

In the ‘70s and ‘80s, Poland was facing a deep economic crisis. With food shortages, rapid inflation and public unrest, an independent trade union movement emerged called Solidarity (or Solidarność), led by Lech Wałęsa. The ruling Communist government was threatened by its growing influence, and the declaration of martial law was a move to shut it down. The government also censored the media, imposed a curfew and banned public gatherings, while protests and strikes were violently suppressed.

How can I watch Winter of the Crow?

We’ll have to hold on for a little longer, unfortunately - the film is premiering at Toronto International Film Festival on 6th September this year, but it won’t get a wider release until 2026. As soon as we have a confirmed date, we’ll share it here. While you wait, you can check out our list of the best spy thrillers to get stuck into now.

What else can I watch Lesley Manville in?

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Lesley Manville won an Emmy for her powerful turn as Princess Margaret in The Crown, and you can watch all 6 series on Netflix now. She also delivered a standout performance as grieving widow Julie Jackson in BBC One's Sherwood - you can watch series 1 and 2 on BBC iPlayer here. Prefer a film? She recently starred in charming British biopic Mr Burton as the landlady of Welsh actor Richard Burton, which premiered in April and is available to watch now on Apple TV+.