Netflix mini-series based on ‘diabolical’ real life ship disaster breaks into most-watched charts

Netflix fans are watching a captivating mini-series based on a shocking real-life disaster ‘in one sitting’.

The streaming service regularly shakes up its content, pulling some titles from its platform to make room for new ones. And viewers have been left in awe over the attention to detail in one new TV series, which dramatizes the events of a true ship catastrophe that shook Europe.

On January 14, 1993, the doomed MS Jan Heweliusz capsized in the Baltic Sea, claiming the lives of at least 56 people. The biggest Polish boat disaster in peacetime history, nine people somehow survived the ordeal.

The ferry was two hours behind schedule when it departed from Świnoujście, bound for Ystad, Sweden.

The voyage sailed into what became very severe weather, with intense storm conditions bringing winds of up to 160 km an hour and waves of up to six meters.

The series released to Netflix earlier in October (Netflix)

During the storm, the ship began to list, tilting and swaying over to one side.

Earlier repairs to the boat, a heavy cargo load, and the ferry's stern becoming damaged all contributed to the ship capsizing.

At around 4am, the list became 'serious' and by 5.12 am the ship capsized and sank about 24 km off Cape Arkona, near the German island of Rügen.

Because the listing and sinking occurred rapidly, many lifeboats could not be properly launched; rescue efforts were delayed by miscommunication regarding the ship's location and the extreme sea state.

Now, Netflix has retold the story in a dramatic, five-part drama.

Fans were hooked on the dramatic series, based on true events (Netflix)

The series in question is called Heweliusz, and it has broken through into the global most-watched charts, according to FlixPatrol.

Taking to X, viewers were quick to share their thoughts on the drama.

One expressed their disbelief at the 'diabolical' corruption explored in the series.

"Five hours of this series is just right for an afternoon," another viewer wrote.

Over on IMDB, one social media user rated the series a '10/10' and summed it up as 'authentic and convincing'.

"The Polish can act brilliantly, direct superbly and write a compelling storyline that will keep you on the painful edge of your seat," they added.

Another claimed it was 'a punch-packing, riveting series,' as somebody else admitted to finishing the entire thing 'in one sitting.'

"Lost track of time, that's how good the series was," they added. "Very carefully constructed episodes, that don't drag."

Heweliusz is streaming now on Netflix.