7 Shocking Realities Behind 'We Were The Lucky Ones': The True Story Of The Kurc Family And The Hulu Adaptation

The story of survival and separation at the core of We Were The Lucky Ones has captivated millions, and as of the current date in late 2025, the conversation around its powerful Hulu adaptation is more relevant than ever. This eight-episode limited series, which premiered in March 2024, is not just a work of historical fiction, but a meticulously researched, harrowing account of one Jewish family’s relentless fight to reunite during World War II. It stands as a testament to human resilience, adapted from Georgia Hunter’s New York Times bestselling novel, which itself is based on the extraordinary true events of her own relatives, the Kurc family. The series has been lauded for its emotional depth and unflinching portrayal of the Holocaust, bringing a fresh, crucial perspective to a generation-defining tragedy.

The success of the miniseries, starring acclaimed actors Logan Lerman and Joey King, has reignited interest in the real-life journey of the Kurc siblings and their parents. Their saga, which spans continents from their home in Radom, Poland, to the shores of Brazil and beyond, showcases the almost unbelievable combination of luck, courage, and sheer will that allowed them to survive. This deep dive explores the key figures, the harrowing facts, and the critical reception that cements We Were The Lucky Ones as a landmark historical drama.

The True-Life Protagonists: The Kurc Family and Author Georgia Hunter

The foundation of We Were The Lucky Ones is the remarkable true story of the Kurc family, a Polish Jewish family from Radom, Poland. The family's story was meticulously pieced together by author Georgia Hunter, the great-granddaughter of Addy Kurc.

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Biography of Georgia Hunter

• Full Name: Georgia Hunter
• Connection to Story: Great-granddaughter of Addy Kurc (her grandfather).
• Discovery of Family History: Learned about her family's Jewish heritage and Holocaust survival story at age 15.
• The Book: We Were The Lucky Ones (2017), a novel based on her extensive research into her family’s history.
• Role in Series: Served as an Executive Producer and Co-Producer on the Hulu miniseries, ensuring authenticity.
• Research Method: Flew around the world to interview surviving relatives, followed the siblings' footsteps across continents, and consulted numerous archives.

The Core Kurc Family Members

The family at the heart of the story consisted of the parents and their five children, whose survival paths were all dramatically different:

• Nechuma Kurc (Mother) & Sol Kurc (Father): The resilient patriarch and matriarch who maintained a fierce determination to keep their family connected, even as they faced the horrors of the Radom Ghetto and forced labor.
• Addy Kurc (Logan Lerman): The author’s grandfather. A talented musician and engineer who was separated from his family early, his journey took him through France, North Africa, and ultimately to Brazil. He was the one who worked tirelessly to secure papers and visas for his relatives.
• Halina Kurc (Joey King): The youngest and perhaps most tenacious of the siblings. Her resourcefulness and courage were central to the family's survival efforts within Poland, often risking her life to help her parents and other family members.
• Mila Kurc: The eldest sister, who was focused on protecting her young daughter, Felicia, throughout the war. Her path involved incredible risks and hiding in plain sight.
• Genek Kurc: The principled, protective older brother. His path led him through Soviet-occupied territory and into the brutal realities of a Soviet Gulag.
• Jakob Kurc: A quiet, intellectual brother whose survival hinged on his quick thinking and the help of his wife, Bella, as they navigated life in the Radom Ghetto.

The Harrowing Journey: Paths to Survival and Reunion

The narrative of We Were The Lucky Ones is defined by the sheer geographical and emotional distance the family had to travel. When the Germans invaded Poland in September 1939, the Kurc family was scattered across the globe, a separation that lasted nearly a decade.

The Global Separation and Individual Fates

The Kurc siblings’ paths were a microcosm of the Jewish diaspora during the Holocaust, each facing unique and terrifying challenges.

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• The Eastern Exodus: Genek, with his wife Herta, initially fled east into the Soviet-occupied zone, a move that led to Genek's imprisonment in a Siberian labor camp (Gulag).
• The Western Escape: Addy, who was studying in Toulouse, France, when the war began, spent years seeking refuge. His musical talent and engineering skills helped him secure work and visas, eventually leading him to Brazil, where he became a beacon of hope for the rest of his family.
• The Peril in Poland: Halina, Mila, and Jakob, along with their parents Nechuma and Sol, remained in Radom, forced into the ghetto. Halina, in particular, became an essential figure in their survival, using false papers, securing positions in factories, and orchestrating escapes.

The title itself, We Were The Lucky Ones, reflects the almost miraculous fact that nearly all 30-plus members of the extended Kurc family survived the war—a profound statistical anomaly in the context of the Holocaust.

Critical Acclaim and The Power of the Adaptation

The Hulu miniseries, which aired its final episode in May 2024, received widespread critical praise for its powerful storytelling, stunning cinematography, and the performances of its ensemble cast.

A Rare Counter-Narrative of Resistance

Critics frequently highlighted the show’s ability to portray the horrors of the Holocaust while maintaining a focus on hope, love, and the fierce determination to resist. The series was described as a "harrowing tale of resilience," avoiding the pitfalls of sensationalism by grounding the drama in the Kurc family’s unbreakable bond.

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• Authenticity: Author Georgia Hunter’s involvement as a co-producer ensured the series maintained fidelity to the historical record and the emotional truth of her family's saga.
• Casting Success: Joey King’s portrayal of Halina Kurc was frequently singled out as a standout performance, capturing the character’s fierce resourcefulness and spirit. Logan Lerman, himself of Jewish ancestry, brought a compelling depth to Addy Kurc, the family member who became a lifeline from afar.
• Emotional Impact: The production was praised for its grueling narrative that nevertheless propelled viewers toward a known, yet still deeply moving, ending: the reunion.

The Reunion and Life After the War

The series culminates in the family’s post-war reunion, a moment of extraordinary joy and relief that serves as the emotional payoff for years of separation and suffering. The Kurc family members, scattered across continents, eventually found their way back to each other, primarily settling in Brazil and the United States.

The final reunion, which took place in Brazil, was a testament to Addy’s relentless efforts in securing their visas and passage. This moment of coming together, with over 30 family members eventually reuniting, is the ultimate fulfillment of the series' title—the profound realization that, against all odds, they were indeed the lucky ones. This final message of hope and the enduring power of family is what cements We Were The Lucky Ones as one of the most important historical drama adaptations of recent memory.