Joey King and Logan Lerman, starring in the Hulu series “We Were the Lucky Ones,” found their roles in this World War II and Holocaust narrative to be deeply resonant on a personal level.
The series debuts on March 28 and brings to life Georgia Hunter’s novel about the Kurc family’s harrowing journey of separation and survival during the Holocaust. King portrays Halina Kurc, the family’s youngest daughter, while Lerman steps into the shoes of her brother Addy, a character inspired by Hunter’s grandfather.
For the cast, many of whom share a Jewish heritage, this project was more than another acting job. “There was a closeness because this cast is Jewish, and we all have our own story and connection with our family to this period in history,” King shared with Yahoo Entertainment. This connection brought an added layer of emotional depth to their performances, making the experience profoundly impactful.
Meet Joey King (Credits: Allure)
The series, executive produced by Erica Lipez, Thomas Kail, and Jennifer Todd, explores the survival tale of a Jewish family spread across Europe and South America during the Holocaust. It features a stellar ensemble cast, including Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Hadas Yaron, and Amit Rahav.
Hunter’s novel, which serves as the series’ foundation, stemmed from her childhood discovery that she was a descendant of Holocaust survivors. This realization occurred during a high school assignment, leading her to uncover her grandfather Eddy’s (originally Addy’s) remarkable survival story—a previously unknown narrative.
Reflecting on the experience, Lerman expressed awe at the realization of participating in a project that recounts true, lived experiences. “It adds a different level of connection to the material at the end of the day,” he noted, underscoring the significance of telling these authentic stories.
Joey King (Credits: The Hollywood Reporter)
King and Lerman both highlighted the series’ role in educating younger audiences about the Holocaust, stressing the importance of remembering and learning from the past.
“This is one of many stories from this period,” King mentioned, emphasizing the honor of sharing such a vital family story. Lerman added insight into the unique circumstances and perspectives their real-life characters brought to this dark chapter in history.
Over time, King acknowledged the pressing need to continue sharing these stories. As the last of the Holocaust survivors age, the responsibility falls to the current and future generations to keep the memory alive, ensuring that the horrors and lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten.
