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Serienfieber Illustration of a hand clicking a remote control© Colourbox / Image editing Goethe-Institut Los Angeles

Binge Fever!

Television “Made in Germany” is having a golden moment with the rise of international streaming services. German series that appeal to global audiences through smart and original writing, diverse themes, talented lineups and opulent productions have never received so much attention. In this dossier, we’ll highlight binge-worthy German serials and fill you in on where to watch them in India.
 


From Germany to India

For viewing in Germany

We are kind of lucky to get our hands on some of the most amazing German series in India. However, there are a few that cannot be accessed from here. But, if you happen to be in Germany, here's a quick collection of some binge-worthy shows for you check out!

  • <b>Weissensee</b><br> Weissensee is a series about the decline of the GDR and two East Berlin families who could not be more different: while one is loyal to the regime and works closely with the Stasi, the other is part of the dissident underground. It’s a story of love between members of two warring families, of betrayal, greed, struggle and power. But Weissensee is also a political thriller in which German history plays an important role before, during and after reunification. Photo (detail): © picture-alliance/dpa/Nestor Bachmann
    Weissensee
    Weissensee is a series about the decline of the GDR and two East Berlin families who could not be more different: while one is loyal to the regime and works closely with the Stasi, the other is part of the dissident underground. It’s a story of love between members of two warring families, of betrayal, greed, struggle and power. But Weissensee is also a political thriller in which German history plays an important role before, during and after reunification.
  • <b>Das Boot</b><br>If you suffer from claustrophobia, then this series might cause some anxiety. <i>Das Boot</i> retells the events that took place aboard German Kriegsmarine U 612 submarine in 1942, and realistically recreates the oppressive atmosphere on board. The price tag is not for the faint of heart either: the 2018 series sequel to Wolfgang Petersen's 1981 film cost 26.5 million euros. So <i>Das Boot</i> was even more expensive per episode than pay-TV channel Sky’s mammoth <i>Babylon Berlin</i>. Photo (detail): © Nik Konietzny/Bavaria Fiction GmbH, 2018
    Das Boot
    If you suffer from claustrophobia, then this series might cause some anxiety. Das Boot retells the events that took place aboard German Kriegsmarine U 612 submarine in 1942, and realistically recreates the oppressive atmosphere on board. The price tag is not for the faint of heart either: the 2018 series sequel to Wolfgang Petersen's 1981 film cost 26.5 million euros. So Das Boot was even more expensive per episode than pay-TV channel Sky’s mammoth Babylon Berlin.
  • <b>Bad Banks</b><br> Money makes the world go round... and down the tubes. How much are your morals worth? What would you be willing to sacrifice to be a player in the male-dominated banking world? Your relationships, your values, your health, your loyalty? The series Bad Banks is about the European financial market, but its relevance is global. An open question throughout the series is whether Jana, the lead, has to “act like a man” to survive in a cutthroat environment, and only at the close of the series does she form an alliance that strikes a redemptive note. © ZDF und Sammy Hart
    Bad Banks
    Money makes the world go round... and down the tubes. How much are your morals worth? What would you be willing to sacrifice to be a player in the male-dominated banking world? Your relationships, your values, your health, your loyalty? The series Bad Banks is about the European financial market, but its relevance is global. An open question throughout the series is whether Jana, the lead, has to “act like a man” to survive in a cutthroat environment, and only at the close of the series does she form an alliance that strikes a redemptive note.
  • <b>Babylon Berlin</b><br> In the current boom in German TV dramas, no show has drawn more rave reviews worldwide than Babylon Berlin. Based on Volker Kutscher’s bestselling novels, the first season follows a police detective into the nightlife and political turmoil of Weimar Berlin. The series’ lavish budget is all there on the screen, but critics are swooning over far more than the extravagant production values. © Frédéric Batier/X Filme
    Babylon Berlin
    In the current boom in German TV dramas, no show has drawn more rave reviews worldwide than Babylon Berlin. Based on Volker Kutscher’s bestselling novels, the first season follows a police detective into the nightlife and political turmoil of Weimar Berlin. The series’ lavish budget is all there on the screen, but critics are swooning over far more than the extravagant production values.
  • <b>Tatort</b><br> Since the very first episode in 1970, Tatort has been a Sunday evening ritual for many Germans and a ratings darling for broadcasters that draws a loyal viewership of around ten million viewers each week. The series follows a number of crime detecting duos in various locations, and viewer favourites like Chief Superintendent Thiel from Münster and his moody partner Professor Boerne, or tough detective Lena Odenthal from Ludwigshafen, can drive ratings even higher. © picture alliance/dpa-Bildarchiv
    Tatort
    Since the very first episode in 1970, Tatort has been a Sunday evening ritual for many Germans and a ratings darling for broadcasters that draws a loyal viewership of around ten million viewers each week. The series follows a number of crime detecting duos in various locations, and viewer favourites like Chief Superintendent Thiel from Münster and his moody partner Professor Boerne, or tough detective Lena Odenthal from Ludwigshafen, can drive ratings even higher.
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“TV has cracked. A symmetry of consumption has given way to a minefield of choice.”

–  Jason Parham / Wired Magazine


 


On topic: German TV series

Serienfieber Spotify Playlist Illustration einer Hand mit Fernbedienung© Colourbox / Bildbearbeitung Goethe-Institut

BINGE FEVER! Spotify Playlist

Binge this! Soundtracks and original scores from streaming German TV series in this “Binge Fever!” Spotify playlist. Play it on shuffle for sublime binge-listening pleasure!
 


Watch this! German Film Trailers

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