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Leipzig Homicide
Leipzig Homicide
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Leipzig Homicide
Series logo
Also known asSOKO Leipzig
GenrePolice procedural
Written by
Directed by
Starring
Theme music composerGeorg Kleinebreil
Composers
Country of originGermany
Original languageGerman
No. of seasons26
No. of episodes520
Production
Executive producers
ProducerTanya Momella Mallory
Production locationsLeipzig (Reclam-Carrée, Inselstraße)
Cinematography
  • Henning Jessel
  • Constantin Kesting
  • Matthias Papenmeier
EditorMatthias Pfeifer
Camera setupFilm; multiple-camera
Running time44 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkZDF
Release31 January 2001 (2001-01-31) –
present
Related
SOKO – Der Prozess, "Proof of Life"

Leipzig Homicide (SOKO Leipzig) is a German crime drama television series first broadcast on 31 January 2001 on ZDF. More than 400 episodes have been screened since. On 12 November 2008, the first of a two-part crossover between SOKO Leipzig and British police procedural The Bill, titled "Proof of Life", was aired, with the same version being shown on both ZDF and British television network ITV.[1] Soko Leipzig is the second offshoot of SOKO München, launched in 1978 under the name SOKO 5113. "SOKO" is an abbreviation of the German word Sonderkommission, which means "special investigative team".

Synopsis

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The series details the investigative work done by the special commission of the Leipzig police. The show's original team consisted of Hajo Trautzschke, Jan Maybach, Ina Zimmermann, and Miguel Alvarez. The commission mostly investigates serious crimes such as murder and manslaughter. After Alvarez is shot, Patrick Grimm replaces him, until he leaves Germany and goes to Africa, where his father died. His spot on the team is taken by detective inspector-candidate Vincent Becker, who lives with his superior, Hajo Trautzschke. Trautzscke has a daughter, Leni, a journalist who marries Jan Maybach during the series. They have a daughter, Charlotte. Maybach has a son named "Benni" with his first wife. A child at the beginning of the series, Benni later becomes an emergency physician. Leni and Jan later get divorced. Zimmermann gives birth to a son, Paul. She gets involved with several men during the series, including, in later seasons, with Maybach.

After Becker moves to Costa Rica, Tom Kowalski joins the team for nearly ten years. He breaks the rules and creates conflict with Hajo and is subsequently demoted. Hajo eventually retires, returning from time to time in a private capacity, since he is the grandfather of Charlotte. Zimmermann becomes the team's new leader.

Meanwhile, team assistant Olivia Fareedi becomes a permanent member, until she moves to Berlin. Kim Nowak, and later, after Kowalski leves, Moritz Brenner, join the team. Maybach nearly dies multiple times throughout the series, and he is fatally shot while investigating the man who killed Alvarez.

The team is supported by coroners Sabine Rossi and Mara Stein as well as laboratory assistant Lorenz Rettig and prosecutor Alexander Binz. In cases concerning sexual offenses, Dagmar Schnee is also on the team.

Crossovers

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On 3 April 2013, five SOKO teams were brought together for a five-part special titled SOKO – Der Prozess. In it, the teams from Munich, Cologne, Leipzig, Stuttgart, and Wismar have to solve the murder of a police officer. The five episodes were shown across Germany from 30 September to 4 October 2013.

A crossover episode with SOKO Donau, titled "Der vierte Mann", was broadcast on ORF on 2 November 2019 and ZDF on 8 November 2019. The screenplay was based on a true story related to the Viennese political activist Rudolfine Steindling.[2][3]

Cast and characters

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Current

[edit]
Actor Role Function Seasons Years
Melanie Marschke Ina Zimmermann chief inspector 1– 2001–
Johannes Hendrik Langer Moritz Brenner detective inspector 22– 2022–
Anna Stieblich Prof. Dr. Sabine Rossi coroner 10– 2009–
Michael Rotschopf Dr. Alexander Binz prosecutor 11– 2011–
Judith Sehrbrock Dr. Mara Stein coroner 11– 2011–
Daniel Steiner Lorenz Rettig laboratory assistant 12– 2012–
Petra Kleinert Dagmar Schnee chief inspector (vice squad) 13– 2013–
Caroline Scholze Leni Maybach born: Trautzschke daughter of Hajo, wife of Jan 1– 2001–
Maximilian Klas Benni Maybach son of Jan 1– 2001–

Former

[edit]
Actor Role Function Seasons Years
Andreas Schmidt-Schaller Hajo Trautzschke chief inspector 1–23 2001–2023
Marco Girnth Jan Maybach † chief inspector 1–26 2001–2026
Gabriel Merz Miguel Alvarez † detective inspector 1–7 2001–2006
Tyron Ricketts Patrick Diego Grimm detective inspector 7–10 2006–2009
Pablo Sprungala Vincent Becker detective inspector-candidate 10–12 2009–2012
Anne Arzenbacher Meike Schwarz police master 5–6, 8, 13 2005–2006, 2008, 2012
Nilam Farooq Olivia Fareedi detective inspector 13–19 2013–2019
Steffen Schroeder Tom Kowalski detective inspector 12–22 2012–2022
Silke Heise Dr. Sandra Schönfeld coroner 1–3 2001–2003
Margrit Sartorius Dr. Kathrin Conradi coroner 3–11 2003–2010
Michael Brandner Dr. Manfred Woernle police senior councillor 11–13, 16 2010–2012, 2015

Episodes

[edit]
Main cast of SOKO Leipzig (2006–2009)
Main cast of SOKO Leipzig (2012–2021)
Season Episodes Originally aired (Germany)
Season premiere Season finale
1 12 31 January 2001 18 April 2001
2 10 23 January 2002 27 March 2002
3 18 25 September 2002 28 March 2003
4 20 17 October 2003 2 April 2004
5 11 17 December 2004 18 March 2005
6 21 16 September 2005 19 May 2006
7 15 29 September 2006 19 January 2007
8 16 24 October 2007 11 April 2008
9 31 3 October 2008 5 June 2009
10 18 4 September 2009 26 March 2010
11 23 24 September 2010 11 March 2011
12 23 14 October 2011 30 March 2012
13 22 16 November 2012 22 March 2013
SOKO – Der Prozess 5 30 September 2013 4 Oktober 2013
14 20 25 October 2013 21 February 2014
15 21 19 September 2014 13 February 2015
16 20 2 October 2015 19 February 2016
17 26 16 September 2016 24 February 2017
18 16 13 October 2017 16 February 2018
19 22 14 September 2018 22 February 2019
20 14 18 October 2019 14 February 2020
SOKO – Der vierte Mann 1 8 November 2019
21 22 28 August 2020 5 March 2021
22 24 27 August 2021 18 February 2022
23 27 9 September 2022 17 March 2023
24 23 1 September 2023 23 February 2024
Special: Goldenes Blut 1 16 August 2024
25 25 27 September 2024 25 April 2025
26 26 3 October 2025 2026
[edit]

Shooting locations and sets

Special

[edit]
SOKO Leipzig headquarters

In April 2013, a five-part crossover between five ZDF SOKO series, titled SOKO – Der Prozess, began filming. The teams included in the show are 5113, Cologne, Leipzig, Stuttgart, and Wismar.

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Leipzig Homicide (German: SOKO Leipzig) is a German television series that follows the investigations of the Special Commission () unit of the police department into murders and other serious s. The series blends procedural elements with character-driven stories exploring the detectives' personal lives and challenges, set against the backdrop of , a dynamic city in eastern . Premiering on on 31 January 2001, the show has become one of Germany's longest-running crime series, with over 500 episodes aired across 26 seasons as of 2025. Episodes typically run for approximately 45 minutes and feature self-contained cases, though recurring themes and character arcs develop over time. Notable for its authentic portrayal of Leipzig's urban landscape, the series has included international 90-minute specials filmed abroad and crossovers with other programs, such as a two-part collaboration with the British series in 2008. The core cast includes Melanie Marschke as the ambitious lead investigator Ina Zimmermann and Marco Girnth as her colleague Jan Maybach, with supporting roles filled by actors like Amy Mußul and Steffen Schroeder portraying team members Kim Nowak and Tom Kowalski, respectively. The series has maintained a steady viewership in , earning a 5.7/10 rating on from 380 users, praised for its engaging mysteries and emotional depth despite a formulaic structure common to the genre. Produced by UFA Fiction, Leipzig Homicide continues to air new episodes, with Season 26 concluding in November 2025.

Overview

Premise

Leipzig, known in English as [Leipzig Homicide](/page/Leipzig Homicide), centers on the Sonderkommission () Leipzig, a specialized unit within the Leipzig police department dedicated to investigating murders, , and other serious violent crimes in the Saxon metropolis. The series portrays the unit's operations against the backdrop of post-reunification , highlighting the city's dynamic urban environment and the challenges of modern policing in eastern . The core team consists of chief inspectors who lead field investigations and interrogations, supported by forensic experts who analyze crime scenes and , coroners who conduct autopsies to determine causes of death, lab assistants who process scientific data, and a who provides legal oversight and coordinates with the courts. Key members include chief inspectors Ina Zimmermann and Jan Maybach, who exemplify the unit's blend of experience and determination in tackling complex cases, though recent changes such as Maybach's departure in 2025 have introduced new dynamics. This structure emphasizes collaborative, realistic police procedures, drawing on authentic elements of German to depict the intricacies of gathering and suspect pursuit. Episodes follow a procedural format, with each self-contained story typically resolving a single case within 45 minutes, though occasional multi-episode arcs explore deeper narratives. The series integrates contemporary social issues, such as migration, conflicts, and urban crime dynamics, reflecting Leipzig's evolution since and grounding the investigations in relatable societal contexts.

Background

Leipzig Homicide, known in German as Leipzig, is part of the long-established franchise, which began with the original series SOKO 5113 (later renamed SOKO München) premiering on in 1978. As one of the early spin-offs in the franchise, SOKO Leipzig debuted on 31 January 2001 with the episode "Flucht nach Fahrplan," airing in 's early evening slot. Set in the Saxon metropolis of —the largest city in eastern Germany—the series centers on the special crimes unit tackling homicides and other major cases, reflecting the dynamic social landscape of the region. From its launch, SOKO Leipzig achieved significant initial success, rapidly becoming one of Germany's most popular crime dramas due to its blend of suspenseful investigations and character-driven storytelling. This popularity propelled it to long-run status, with Season 22 alone drawing an average of 4.98 million viewers and an 18.2% market share in 2021–2022. By November 2025, the series has surpassed 500 episodes across 26 seasons, positioning it as the longest-running active entry in the SOKO franchise following the conclusion of SOKO München in 2020. The narrative focus of SOKO Leipzig has evolved considerably since its early seasons, which primarily emphasized regional crimes and local investigations in , to later incorporating broader contemporary national issues. Themes such as , conspiracy theories, and have become prominent, often interwoven with the personal lives of the investigators to highlight societal challenges in modern .

Production

Development

SOKO Leipzig, known in English as Leipzig Homicide, was produced by UFA Fiction for the German public broadcaster as an extension of the established franchise to the eastern region of Germany. Development began in the late 1990s, with the pilot episode airing on January 31, 2001, marking the first successful spin-off of the original SOKO 5113 series. Key figures in production include Jörg Winger, who has overseen hundreds of episodes, and ZDF commissioning editor Matthias Pfeifer, responsible for series oversight. Head writers such as Axel Hildebrand have influenced the procedural structure, emphasizing self-contained cases blended with character-driven narratives. The series achieved significant milestones with renewals extending beyond its 20th season in the , reflecting sustained viewer interest and ZDF's investment. Recent seasons (23 through 26) have incorporated modern themes like societal issues, including , , and contemporary crimes, adapting to evolving cultural contexts while maintaining the core investigative format. Production scheduling typically involves 20 to 25 episodes annually, shot in efficient blocks to optimize resources and ensure weekly broadcasts. ZDF's long-term commitment has supported continuity through format evolutions and personnel shifts, solidifying the series' position as a staple of German prime-time television up to 2025.

Filming

The production of Homicide (known in German as SOKO Leipzig) primarily takes place in Leipzig and the surrounding areas of , , leveraging authentic real-world locations to ground the series in its setting. Key sites include urban streets, the historic Leipzig Hauptbahnhof, parks such as Johannapark, and buildings like the Reclam-Carrée office complex on Inselstraße, which serve as stand-ins for police headquarters and investigative scenes. These choices emphasize the post-reunification East German urban landscape, blending modern infrastructure with remnants of the region's GDR-era to enhance realism. Interior scenes, including those at the police headquarters, are filmed at local production facilities in Leipzig, such as the Reclam-Carrée on Inselstraße, where practical set designs are constructed for authenticity. Produced by UFA Fiction since its inception, the series relies on practical set designs and on-location authenticity over extensive digital enhancements. Filming for each season typically spans from early spring (April) through late winter (March of the following year), allowing crews to capture a range of weather conditions in Saxony while prioritizing outdoor shoots during favorable seasons. This schedule supports efficient post-production, enabling episodes to air weekly on Friday nights at 9:15 PM on ZDF with minimal delays.

Cast and Characters

Current

As of November 2025, the core team of Leipzig Homicide (SOKO Leipzig) consists of experienced investigators handling complex cases in , with a focus on interpersonal dynamics and modern forensics. The current main characters reflect a blend of long-standing leaders and newer members who bring specialized skills to the unit. Andreas Schmidt-Schaller plays Hajo Trautzschke, the veteran and longstanding team leader since the series' debut in season 1 in 2001, renowned for his methodical and unflappable approach to investigations that often anchor the team's strategy. His character continues to appear in episodes through 2025, providing continuity amid evolving team structures, though Trautzschke retires at the end of season 26. Melanie Marschke portrays Ina Zimmermann, a chief inspector who joined as a core member in season 3 and remains central to the team, excelling as an empathetic investigator skilled in victim relations and building rapport during sensitive interrogations. Her role emphasizes emotional intelligence, making her indispensable for cases involving personal trauma, as seen in recent 2025 episodes like "Die letzten Tage." Marco Girnth embodies Jan , a ongoing since 11, serving as the tactical expert with deep personal story arcs that explore his and professional challenges within . Maybach features prominently in 2025 storylines of 26, his final season after over two decades on the series due to the actor's decision to step away for personal reasons. Amy Mußul depicts Kim Nowak, a introduced in season 19 (2019), who specializes in forensics and technology, injecting diversity and innovative methods into the team's investigative toolkit. Nowak's focus on and scientific analysis has become vital in contemporary episodes, such as "Schwarz ist alle Farben," enhancing the unit's adaptability to modern crimes. Johannes Hendrik Langer stars as Moritz Brenner, a who joined in season 22 as a replacement for Tom Kowalski and excels in undercover work, bringing a fresh perspective through his immersive field operations. Brenner's specialization in infiltration and supports the team's structure, highlighted in 2025 plots like "Mein Vater, dein Vater" that delve into his backstory while advancing cases.

Former

Steffen Schroeder portrayed Detective Inspector Tom Kowalski from season 12 to season 22 (2012–2021), a key member of the investigative team whose emphasized personal growth amid ongoing team conflicts and high-stakes cases. His tenure highlighted Kowalski's from a straightforward investigator to one grappling with interpersonal dynamics within the unit, often clashing with colleagues over procedural approaches. Schroeder's departure in September 2021 was driven by the actor's desire to focus on writing projects, marking the end of his nine-year run on the series. Caroline Scholze played Leni Trautzschke (later Maybach), a recurring role connected to the core team through her relationships, appearing prominently in early seasons starting from 2001. Her character's storyline in the culminated in a maternity resolution that led to her exit in 2018, wrapping up her involvement in the familial and supportive dynamics of the series. This departure allowed for narrative closure on Leni's personal life, shifting focus away from the extended elements she represented. Earlier exits included Udo Schenk as Hans-Gerd Stadler, who served in seasons 1 through 5 before departing in 2005, contributing to the initial team setup in the show's formative years. Additionally, brief roles such as forensic experts were phased out post-2010, streamlining the ensemble to emphasize core detectives over specialized support staff. These changes reflected broader cast rotations to maintain freshness. The impact of these departures involved recasting to refresh , such as introducing Brenner as a replacement for , which brought new tensions and investigative styles to the group. This approach helped sustain the series' longevity by evolving interpersonal relationships without disrupting the procedural format.

Episodes

Season Overview

Leipzig Homicide, known in German as SOKO Leipzig, is a long-running German that has produced 513 episodes as of November 2025, spanning 26 seasons along with various specials. The series, produced by UFA Fiction for , follows the investigations of the Special Commission () unit of the police into serious crimes such as murders and manslaughters. Episodes typically run for 45 minutes and air weekly on Fridays, maintaining a consistent format while evolving in scope and narrative style. The early seasons, from 1 to 10 (2001–2010), featured 10 to 22 episodes each, totaling 156 installments focused primarily on regional crimes within , such as local murders, thefts, and interpersonal conflicts rooted in Leipzig's post-reunification . These episodes emphasized standalone cases, often highlighting the city's industrial heritage and community dynamics, with investigators like Hajo Church and Thomas Wilsberg leading the team. By the end of this period, the series had established itself as a staple of German television, drawing on authentic locations for realism. Seasons 11 through 20 (2011–2021) marked an expansion, with approximately 200 episodes that incorporated broader social issues, including , , and challenges in eastern . Episode counts averaged around 20 per season, reflecting ZDF's commitment to annual production cycles. This era introduced more ensemble dynamics among the team, including characters like Ina Zimmermann and Jan Maybach, and began weaving subtle connections between cases to build viewer investment. In recent seasons 21 to 26 (2022–2025), the show has averaged 24 to 25 episodes per season, integrating contemporary themes such as cybercrimes, , and increased diversity in both the police team and storylines. Season 25 (2024-2025) consists of 25 episodes, exploring issues like online and multicultural tensions in . As of November 2025, season 26 has aired 8 episodes, with ongoing production promising further installments that continue to reflect modern societal shifts. Overall, the series has progressed from isolated procedural stories in its formative years to incorporating serialized elements, such as recurring personal arcs for investigators and multi-episode investigations, enhancing narrative depth while preserving its core focus on justice in . Special episodes, including holiday-themed cases, complement the regular seasons without disrupting the main progression.

Special Episodes

One of the most prominent special episodes in the series is the 2013 five-part miniseries SOKO – Der Prozess, which aired on ZDF from September 30 to October 4, 2013. This crossover event totaled approximately 225 minutes across its episodes, featuring investigators from five SOKO teams across different German cities collaborating for the first time on a high-stakes joint trial investigation involving a complex criminal case. The miniseries emphasized heightened tension through multi-team dynamics and legal proceedings, diverging from the standard single-team format of regular episodes. Holiday-themed specials have also appeared sporadically, often incorporating festive settings into crime narratives for seasonal appeal. For instance, the 90-minute Christmas episode "Das Weihnachtswunder" from season 24, aired on December 22, 2023, depicts the team investigating an armed disrupting holiday plans, resulting in a shooting incident. This extended runtime allowed for deeper exploration of personal team dynamics amid the yuletide chaos, marking a rare festive installment in the series' history. In the early years, some episodes featured extended formats, such as pilot-length installments around 90 minutes to establish the series' procedural style, though these transitioned to standard 45-minute runtimes by later seasons. Specials generally differ in format through longer durations, elevated narrative stakes, and occasional guest directors; for example, SOKO – Der Prozess was directed by Jörg Mielich for key segments, bringing a fresh cinematic approach. No dedicated or holiday specials have been produced since 2023, but recent season finales in seasons 24 through 26 have adopted semi-special elements, including resolutions and extended investigations to bridge arcs.

Crossovers

Domestic

The domestic crossovers of Homicide (SOKO Leipzig) primarily involve collaborations with other series in the German-language franchise, highlighting themes of interstate and cross-border cooperation among special investigation units to tackle intricate crimes such as kidnappings, murders, and organized criminal networks with historical or economic dimensions. A notable example is the 2013 five-part miniseries SOKO – Der Prozess, which centered the Leipzig team alongside counterparts from SOKO München, SOKO Köln, SOKO Wismar, and SOKO Stuttgart in a multi-city investigation into a high-profile exposing and . Aired daily on from September 30 to October 4, 2013, the storyline followed the teams' joint efforts to uncover evidence and protect witnesses in a case spanning Germany's federal states, emphasizing the challenges of coordinating across jurisdictions for a shared suspect network. In 2019, Leipzig Homicide featured in the 90-minute special Der vierte Mann, a collaboration with the Austrian SOKO Donau (known as SOKO Wien in ), marking the first direct team-up between the and units. The plot begins with the of acclaimed violinist Philipp Baumgarten during a in , where the perpetrator also steals the victim's violin, leading to a trail of murders linked to illicit business dealings between former and . investigators travel to to consult a , while Vienna's team joins the pursuit, underscoring binational cooperation in resolving crimes with transnational roots; the episode aired on on November 8, 2019, following its ORF premiere on November 2. These crossovers illustrate the franchise's emphasis on unified responses to complex offenses, such as those involving historical ties or multi-regional syndicates, fostering narrative depth through character interactions across teams without overshadowing individual series arcs.

International

The international crossover for (known as SOKO Leipzig in ) occurred in 2008 with the British series , marking the first such collaboration outside the domestic SOKO franchise. Titled "" on the UK side and forming a two-part storyline overall, the episodes centered on the of an 18-year-old German girl, Charlotte, on British soil, prompting a joint investigation by London's Sun Hill CID—led by DCI Jack Meadows—and Leipzig's team under Hauptkommissar Hajo Trautzschke. The narrative spanned and , involving detectives from both forces tracking the perpetrators across borders, with key characters including DC Terry Perkins, DC Mickey Webb, and DC Kezia Walker from The Bill, alongside Leipzig's Ina and others. Aired on November 12 and 13, 2008, as a two-part special on ITV in high definition, the same version was broadcast on on September 4, 2009, featuring English subtitles for the German dialogue to accommodate viewers. This crossover, co-produced by talkbackTHAMES and UFA Fernsehproduktion to celebrate 's 25th anniversary, highlighted the global appeal of police procedurals by blending talents from both nations and fostering ideas for pan-European programming. It boosted the franchise's international visibility, serving as a pioneering of German television formats and encouraging cross-cultural storytelling in crime drama. The episodes emphasized differences in policing styles, incorporating light-hearted cultural exchanges—such as a German detective quipping, "We Germans have no sense of humour"—to underscore contrasts between British and German investigative approaches while showcasing collaborative enforcement. No additional international crossovers for SOKO Leipzig have occurred since 2008, though the series has inspired adaptations abroad, demonstrating its enduring influence on global crime television. A notable example is the Czech adaptation Specialisté, produced by Studios, which relocates the elite investigative team to Prague's streets to tackle homicides and heists, drawing directly from the original's format of emotionally charged cases blending professional and personal elements. This Eastern European underscores the franchise's adaptability and appeal in diverse markets.

Reception

Viewership

The premiere episode of Leipzig Homicide aired on January 31, 2001, on and achieved strong initial ratings, exceeding 5 million viewers, which helped secure its move to the prime-time slot. Throughout its run, the series has maintained consistent viewership of 4 to 6 million for its Friday evening broadcasts on , reflecting its status as a reliable ratings performer in German television. Viewership peaked during seasons 10 through 15 in the and , averaging approximately 5.5 million viewers per episode, driven by engaging storylines and the show's established fanbase. For the 2024-2025 period, season 25 averaged 4.51 million viewers, with solid performance in key demographics. Episodes from season 26, aired up to November 2025, have drawn 3.9 to 4.2 million viewers each, maintaining strength among the 14-49 age group with market shares around 17-19 percent. Internationally, Homicide has been exported through Studios, with dubbed and subtitled versions enhancing its global appeal.

Awards

In 2024, SOKO Leipzig won the Award for Best National Series, recognizing season 24's enduring popularity through a public vote conducted by TV Spielfilm and Cinema magazines. Earlier in its run, the series earned a for Best Series at the 2005 German Television Award, underscoring its early critical recognition among German television productions. It also received nominations at the 2010 Monte-Carlo TV Festival for Outstanding Actress, Outstanding Actor, and Outstanding European Producer, and a for the Golden Nymph at the 2012 Monte-Carlo TV Festival. These accolades have bolstered the series' reputation and supported ZDF's ongoing investment, culminating in the renewal for season 26 with 25 new episodes ordered in April 2025.

References

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