Swiss Sky and German ARD have unveiled first images from their new mini TV series THE DEATH OF SHERLOCK HOLMES which is set to arrive sometime next year with Rafe Spall in the lead role. The series begins with one of the most famous moments in literary history: the apparent death of Sherlock Holmes at the Reichenbach Falls. While the world believes the master detective perished in his final duel with Professor Moriarty, the series reveals for the first time what happened during the three mysterious years between his disappearance in 1891 and his return in 1894 – a chapter that Arthur Conan Doyle left untold and which now finds its story.
After their The Empress series ends later this year with the final third season, the creators are teaming up with Netflix on another historical series. WITCHES will be set in medieval Germany, following the story of three sisters as they face the rising terror of a rarely dramatized chapter of European history: The German witch hunts. The show will revolve around a family torn apart by suspicion, accusation and betrayal, and tell a story of protecting loved ones in the grip of fear and fanaticism and of unyielding resistance in the shadow of one of Europe’s darkest chapters.
As you
all probably well remember your trusted spy was among the first ones to
inform you about this one and then kept you informed throughout the years about
Hagen starts his battle in cinemas this October
it, but now we can feast our eyes on our lieblings Jannis Niewohner in the brand new trailer from movie adaptation of HAGEN epic
fantasy saga inspired by the Nibelung myths! If I got it right, the film will arrive into German cinemas on October 17th titled HAGEN - IN THE VALLEY OF THE NIBELUNGS (HAGEN - IM TAL DER NIBELUNGEN) and directed by Cyrill Boss and Philipp Stennert, and will then stream sometime next year on German streamer RTL+ in the form of an epic mini TV series that will continue and expand the story from the film and will after that hit linear RTL channel in Germany also as a series. Freemantle is handling worldwide distribution.
THE STORY OF HAGEN EPIC TV SERIES
follows Burgundian weapons master Hagen von Tronje (Gijs Naber) who has his hands full ensuring that the kingdom does not collapse under the weight of many crises. As his dark past seems to become more and more apparent, he fights against his suppressed feelings for the king's daughter Kriemhild (Lilja van der Zwaag). And as if all that wasn't enough, the famous dragon slayer Siegfried von Xanten (Jannis Niewöhner) also shows up in Worms and causes a lot of chaos. But the new, young King Gunter (Dominic Marcus Singer) sees Siegfried as an opportunity to save the empire. His plan is for him to take the unpredictable Valkyrie Brunhild (Rosalinde Mynster) as his wife. When Kriemhild finally falls in love with Siegfried, Hagen has to make a decision. Is he following his heart or his responsibilities?
WHO ELSE IS IN THE CAST?
The cast also includes Jördis Triebel, Jörg Hartmann, Bela Gabor Lenz, Alessandro Schuster, Johanna Kolberg, Emmapreisedanz and Maria Erwolter. You will remember that our favourite German star Jannis led Maximilian epic TV series, Turncoat WW2 drama and Narcissus und Goldmundmedieval movie and Felix Krull. He has also starred in a number of English language films in recent years as their most sought after star.
German Beta Film is planning a six episode period set series on Thomas Mann based on Tilman Lahme 1920s-set novel ‘Die Manns – Geschichte Einer Familie’ THE MANNS - STORY OF A FAMILY.
The book will be turned into a six episode series
The story will be told through the eyes of the younger generation finding their place in a changing world.
Thomas Mann's literary work towers above the competition - and it
dominates the family. His wife Katia has his back and keeps the children
away. Her sharp tongue is feared. The beautiful son Klaus wants to be
as famous as his father as a writer. Erika, the eldest daughter, loves
as passionately as she hates. The shy Golo seeks his happiness away from
his family. Michael wants to become a great musician and fights against
his short temper and the high demands of his family. Father's favorite,
Elisabeth, talks to animals and wants to save the world. And everyone
gossips about Monika. The siblings experiment with love and drugs,
squander their parents' money - and become serious opponents of Hitler.
Wherever fate takes them: the Manns stick together. And they betray each
other.
We are launching new week with a World War II epic movie coming from Germany which will hit USA cinemas November 22nd right for Thanksgiving.
The movie will arrive to USA this November
BONHOEFFER, both written and directed by Todd Komarnicki, has the story set in Berlin during the Third Reich, and examining Dietrich Bonhoeffer's determination to live his life with uncompromising political and spiritual courage, while speaking truth to power, in his attempt to save countless Jewish lives. When a pacifist is called to a political act that could change the course of history, how will a man of honor respond? This is the true story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a man who preached love while plotting the assassination of an evil tyrant. With world-shattering stakes, Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. begs the question, how far will you go to stand up for what’s right? With Jonas Dassler in the lead role, the cast also includes other well known German actors such as Moritz Bleibtreu, Flula Borg and August Diehl with David Jonsson also starring.
Available on PBS channel over at Prime Video from last weekend, June 7th is German series GREETINGS FROM AMERICA (Ein Hauch von Amerika). Set in post-war Rhineland Palatinate in the early
This new series is available on PBS from June 7th
1950s, when worlds collided after hundreds of thousands of US soldiers were stationed in the strictly religious province, this period drama tells the story of the friendship of two young women who are looking for their place in the new society.
Farmer’s daughter Marie (Elisa Schlott) takes a job
on the base and meets Black GI George (Reomy D. Mpeho), who
experiences freedom for the first time in Germany but continues to
struggle with racism within the military.
Marie’s best friend, Erika (Franziska Brandmei), the daughter
of the mayor (Dietmar Bär), welcomes the Americans
with open arms, throwing herself into the thriving nightlife and
dreaming of a life in the States. But in the turmoil of the times, the
friends grow in opposite directions: Marie’s burgeoning love for George,
and her job with Colonel McCoy (Philippe Brenninkmeyer) and his cultured wife, Amy (Julia Koschitz), open up new horizons for her, prompting her to separate from her
childhood sweetheart, Siegfried (Jonas Nay).
Meanwhile, Erika’s desire for freedom is thwarted by her conservative
Catholic mother, Annaliese (Anna Schudt), and threatens to
break due to the local norms and role models.
As you all probably well remember your trusted spy was among the first ones to inform you about this one and then kept you informed throughout the years about it, but now we can feast our eyes on our lieblings Jannis Niewohner in the brand new images from RTL+ series adaptation ofHAGEN epic fantasy saga inspired by the Nibelung myths! Freemantle is doing the world wide distribution and will present it to the buyers this Friday at London TV Screeningss.
THE STORY OF HAGEN EPIC TV SERIES
follows weapons master Hagen (Gijs Naber) as he keeps a crisis-ridden kingdom together, while hiding his secret love for the king’s daughter Kriemhild (Lilja van der Zwaag)
and his own unpredictability. He is forced to decided between love and
loyalty after the inexperienced king asks dragonslayer Siegfried von
Xanten (Jannis Niewöhner) to help him secure the hand of the dangerous Valkyrie Brunhild in marriage. Dominic Marcus Singer, Rosalinde Mynster, Jördis Triebel and JörgHartmann also star.
The project will be made into a cinematic film and six part TV series
Something colourful and animated for you today: first images from animated movie adventure FLAMINGO FLAMENCO which is being producedas an international co production between Germany’s
The movie will arrive in late 2026
Studio 100 Media and Spain’s 3Doubles Producci- ones! It is expected that the film will fly into cinemas at the end of 2026 with the script written by Rob Sprackling, whose credits include “Shaun the Sheep Movie,” “Gnomeo & Juliet” and “The Queen’s Corgi.”
FLAMINGO FLAMENCO
follows the journey of Rosie, a young and exuberant
flamingo, as she navigates personal loss and seeks to rediscover the joy
of dance. The action is set against the backdrop of the beautiful
Fuente de Piedra lagoon in Andalucía, Spain. The family-friendly
entertainment feature promises an enchanting and passionate blend of
adventure, comedy and heartwarming moments with the story of this delightful new animated movie emphasizing
the importance of perseverance, self-discovery and the power of
determination.
After the rival Sisi series over at RTL which already started work on its third season, THE EMPRESS series from German Netflix, which also follows the life of the Austrian Kaiserin, has also officially launched production as of today! The first season which saw young Bavarian countess marry Franz Joseph the emperor of Austria-Hungary, was renewed only a month after the stream start of the first season which amassed more than 160 million viewing hours since then. In the first season marital crisis has been overcome between the imperial couple, but now dark clouds gather again over Schönbrunn Palace: a powerful adversary appears on the scene in Europe. And Sisi faces pressure to produce an heir to the throne who will secure the future of the empire. She has to fight, for her family and for herself. She will also face her mother-in-law, Archduchess Sophie, who is convinced that the Empress is too young to raise the children, and takes it upon herself to bring up her children. She will also go to Hungary to settle a crises there and that is where her first daughter will sadly die. This will end Sisi's efforts to be a good mother and she will remain cold towards her offspring till the end of her life. Returning cast includes Devrim Lingnau as Elisabeth,
Philip Froissant as Franz Joseph I of Austria,
Melika Foroutan as Archduchess Sophie,
Johannes Nussbaum as Archduke Maximilian,
Elisa Schlott as Duchess Helene in Bavaria,
Jördis Triebel as Princess Ludovika of Bavaria, Sisi's mutter. Exciting new additions to the cast include Josephine Thiesenas Princess Marie and Christoph Favre as Napoleon III. The second season is shooting over in Bavaria, the Czech Republic and Italy!
Sky has released first look at their new seven part German dystopian series HELGOLAND 513 that will air on Sky and NOW streamer. It’s 2036 and Helgoland has become the last safe haven for humanity. A small community of survivors are entrenched on Germany's only deep-sea island following an apocalypse that has thrown the rest of the world into chaos. A totalitarian society is established, tolerating only 513 people on the island at any one time.
The survivors trapped on the island have limited resources to share and an inhumane social-ranking system determines the lives of each of the 513 inhabitants. Helgoland’s only doctor is high on the priority list, whilst others are far behind and have to fight for a better place and, their ultimate survival. But they face another threat from the outside. On the mainland, a group of rebels are preparing to conquer the island and disrupt the last safe place for mankind.
Out currently in German speaking countries and also in Argentina is German period set thriller THE FORGER starring lovely Louis Hofmann who caught
The Forger will soon arrive to US cinemas too
our eye in Life After Life. Here he is a 21-year-old Cioma Schönhaus who won't let anyone take away his zest for life, especially not the Nazis. He wants to discover life, but has the misfortune of living as a Jewish person in Berlin in the 1940s. Since the best hiding spots are in plain sight, Cioma decides to go out into the light to escape deportation. Using the identity of a marine officer he created for himself, he throws himself into the city's nightlife and even finds a fragile hope for love during the darkest moments of the war. Throughout the day he forges IDs with just a brush, some ink and a steady hand - and saves the lives of many others. His talent puts him in more and more danger, though, and at some point Cioma's only hope to survive is a last forged ID - with his own name on it. Kino Lorber will soon release it in USA as well.
Sky has unveiled a slate of their new original German dramas and among them is seven part Robert Schwentke drama HELGOLAND set in 2034 after after a global apocalypse, where the North Sea island of Helgoland has
New Frankenstein is coming to Sky
become humanity’s last safe haven. A totalitarian society has been established that only allows 513 people on the island and as resources are scarce, an inhumane social ranking system evaluates the lives of the inhabitants according to their ‘usefulness.’ At the same time, a dangerous force from the mainland prepares to invade.
FRANKENSTEIN UNTOLD
will, meanwhile, be a radical reimagining of Mary
Shelley’s fantasy classic. Intense and emotionally complex drama is told
through the eyes of eight powerful characters and explores the
philosophical and political depths of the novel, centering around
the search for love and belonging, as well as revenge.
Set in 1816, locations include dirty streets of Ingolstadt, Germany,
Switzerland’s Lake Geneva, and the vast ice desert of the North Pole.
Philipp Stölzl is the creator.
DON'T FORGET TO DROP BY TOMORROW FOR A SPOTLIGHT ON ALL THE EPIC AND PERIOD SET SHOWS WE CAN EXPECT THIS AUTUMN
I am not exactly sure how this one had managed to escape my radar, especially as it stars our most favourite German super star, always brilliant and charismatic Jannis Niewohner, but CONFESSIONS OF FELIX KRULL (Bekenntnisse des Hochstaplers Felix Krull), the latest big screen adaptation of famous Nobel prize winner Thomas Mann's novel, about a handsome youth of humble origins who rises in society through his connections made as an elevator attendant in a luxury hotel, was released in Germany last Autumn directed and writen by Detlev Buck.
THE STORY OF FELIX KRULL
Handsome and charismatic orphan FELIX KRULL (Jannis Niewöhner, who has
been praised for his performance of Krull whom he made more heartfelt
and empathetic than he was in the novel) has a talent for
Jannis Niewohner plays the lead role brilliantly
always gaining
an advantage with compelling, entertaining narratives and eloquent
tips. Advantages that he urgently needs - his social status is extremely
expandable. Deeply in love with a similarly cunning lady of the
Felix has been made for friendly and heartfelt in the movie
night
named Zaza (Liv Lisa Fries), he plans to work on his social advancement
in a Paris luxury hotel and thus enable a comfortable old age for two.
But the criminal head waiter Stanko (Nicholas Ofczarek), the
Maria Furtwangler sports some amazing gowns as Madame Houpfle
inscrutable
permanent guest Madame Houpflé (Maria Furtwängler) and the foolish
Marquis Louis de Venosta (David Kross) are reasons for Felix to
constantly adjust his plans...
We can expect a number of period set mini series coming from Germany next year (stay tuned for our list of all the historical shows to arrive in 2022) and among them is HOTEL EUROPA (Das Weiße Haus am Rhein or TheWhite House on the Rhine) which will air sometime next year on German
Two part mini series will air on ARD
national broadcaster ARD produced by our fave Beta Film, directed by Thorsten M. Schmidt and starring Jonathan Berlin, Benjamin Sadler and
Katharina Schüttler. Today I have the first poster for the series. The movie version of the two part series premiered in October at Cologne Film Festival.
Set between WWI and WWII, the predictably sumptuous true story series
portrays down
the years the dreams, foibles and destinies of members of the Dreesen
hotelier dynasty, owners of the Rhein hotel Dreesen, built on the very
banks of the Rhine, and a popular place of stay for celebrities from
many
First look at the cast of the new mini series: the Dreesens
walks of life. It is the unbelievable and dramatic story of
an entire continent, portrayed through the personal fates of the Dreesen
family. In this unique hotel, where Charlie Chaplin and Adolf Hitler
were sleeping wall to wall, you
Jonathan Berlin plays the lead role of Emil Dreesen
can experience the incredible history of
Europe with all its ups and downs. It is a place that magically
attracted and accommodated rulers of all political stripes, artists,
philosophers and international stars, and in which dreams of great
power, revolutions and the idea of Europe were developed.
Ich will tell you an eine kleine secret, my lieblings spylings, so listen very carefully - I spy with my little eye that the highlight of this year's festive television programmes won't be some cute and cosy little British series or
Sisi will be the highlight of holiday programmes
some of them sweet Hallmark movie lemonades, but a six part German saga SISI. Why, you may ask? Because it will air these holidays in the larger part of Europe. As of December 12th it will stream on RTL PLus in Germany and air on France television, and after the streaming premiere it will also air on regular mothership channel RTL on December 28th, 29th and 30th and also on Austrian national broadcaster ORF. Before that, from December 26th it will start airing on Epic Drama Serbia and in all other Balkan countries that
Dominique Devenport plays Empress Sisi in the series
have that channel on their cable systems. And it might air in some other countries too, like Hungary, Slovakia etc, but I'm not informed currently. So there you go, most of Europe will enjoy young Sisi's road to become one of
Jannik Schumann is Austrian emperor Franz Joseph
Austria's most famous empresses after hunting down one of Europe's most eligible imperial bachelors Franz Joseph. If the show turns out nice and you find yourself wanting for more, don't forget that Netflix will stream their own
The series will air in six episodes or in three two hourlong ones
Sisi series The Empress sometime next spring and that we also have Corsage movie coming up with Vicki Krieps playing the empress in her later years when, superficial and vain, she couldn't really handle the fact she was getting old so she started using all kinds of insane cosmetics treatments while calming her imperial nerves with bad old cocaine. That pretty much turned her into Europe's original rock star after her death and the legend of her beauty and vanity resulted in merchandise about her selling like hot cakes at the end of the 19th century.
SISI THE SERIES
tells the love story of two young people between personal
desires and political constraints. How do they bring power, feelings and
political duties together?
Sisi starts airing December 12th
Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary, who is called
Sisi (Dominique Devenport), is considered to be the most beautiful woman in Europe. She defies
courtly customs and uses her popularity for her ideals. Her partner,
Franz Joseph I (Jannik Schuman), feels the weight of the crown and finds an unusual ally
in Sisi.The series tells of the dichotomy between personal desires and
political pressures, between power and vulnerability of an extraordinary
woman. Duchess Elisabeth in Bavaria, called Sisi, is a carefree
teenager who falls head over heels in love with a man who is powerful,
attractive and
The series was shot earlier this year on locations around Europe
desirable - but also has a dark and dangerous side: Franz
Joseph I, Emperor of Austria. Sisi rises to the challenge and develops
from a Bavarian girl to a self-confident, adult empress. But on her way,
Sisi has to learn to make difficult decisions, to deal with loss and to
play an independent role as a modern empress.
EUROPEAN LOCATIONS The drama series is a modern retelling of the subject of the Empress of Austria-Hungary, which has already been adapted many times. The version is based on historical events and shows Sisi as a complex personality from heryouth. It was shot in various European locations to capture the historical flair. These include the old town of Riga, the Latvian capital, and Lithuania's capital Vilnius, which stand for historical Vienna. In Vilnius, for example, the
Julia Stemberger,Marcus Grusser,Pauline Renevier as Sisi's family
National Philharmonic and Vilnius University acted as filming locations, which can be seen in the series as the Vienna Hofburg. German locations can also be found in the series: scenes were filmed in Würzburg's residence and in Berchtesgadener Land in Bavaria. The quarry north of Zill, the
Giovanni Funiati,David Korbmann,Yasmani Stambader also star
Schwarzbachalm and the Höglwörther lake with the monastery on the shore served as the backdrop. The four-month filming time also took the Sisi production team to locations in Austria and Hungary's capital Budapest, where Sisi spent many years of her life at Gödöllő Castle.
with one of the most famous moments in literary history: the apparent death of Sherlock Holmes at the Reichenbach Falls. While the world believes the
master detective perished in his final duel with Professor Moriarty, the series reveals for the first time what happened during the three mysterious years
between his disappearance in 1891 and his return in 1894 – a chapter that Arthur Conan Doyle left untold and which now finds its story.
with one of the most famous moments in literary history: the apparent death of Sherlock Holmes at the Reichenbach Falls. While the world believes the
master detective perished in his final duel with Professor Moriarty, the series reveals for the first time what happened during the three mysterious years
between his disappearance in 1891 and his return in 1894 – a chapter that Arthur Conan Doyle left untold and which now finds its story.
