BBC Acquires German Crime Drama The Black Forest Murders

Via BBC Press - Barbara Kramer (Nina Kunzendorf), Thomas Riedle (Tilman Strauß). (Image: SWR/Lailaps Films/Luis Zeno Kuhn)

By Jon Donnis

The BBC has secured the rights to the gripping German crime drama The Black Forest Murders, a four-part series based on real-life events from 2016. Written by Robert Hummel and Martina Mouchot, the series is adapted from Walter Roth's non-fiction book SOKO Erle and will be available on BBC iPlayer and BBC Four.

Set in the south of Germany, The Black Forest Murders follows the intense investigation into the mysterious deaths of two young women. The series delves into the complex and often harrowing process of solving such brutal crimes, blending real-life events with fictional elements to create a compelling and realistic portrayal of police work.

The story begins with the disappearance of a young woman. After an extensive search, her body is discovered, bludgeoned to death by an unknown assailant. Senior Detective Barbara Kramer, portrayed by Nina Kunzendorf, is tasked with leading the investigation alongside her team, including Thomas Riedle, played by Tilman Strauß. Despite their efforts, they struggle to make significant breakthroughs, and the case grows more complicated with the discovery of a second murder.

As the investigation progresses, the team becomes a special investigation unit, sifting through hundreds of pieces of evidence in an attempt to connect the dots. The case takes on a larger scope when parallels are drawn to a similar case in Austria from four years earlier. With mounting pressure from the public and their superiors, the police officers work tirelessly to solve the case, their persistence eventually leading to a breakthrough.

Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition, praised The Black Forest Murders for its authenticity and depth, stating, "The Black Forest Murders is an authentic and compelling crime series focusing on the work of a meticulous investigative team. As well as being a gripping murder mystery, the series offers a detailed look at the challenges of solving complex crimes, and the psychological toll on those involved in such high-stakes investigations."

The series features a talented cast, with Nina Kunzendorf as Barbara Kramer and Tilman Strauß as Thomas Riedle. Additional cast members include Aliki Hirsch, Božidar Kocevski, Atrin Haghdoust, David Richter, Liliane Amuat, Florian Hertweck, Markus Krojer, Katja Bürkle, Sophia Schober, and Mira Huber.

The Black Forest Murders is produced by Lailaps Film, a STUDIOCANAL Company, in collaboration with SWR and supported by the FilmFernsehFonds Bayern. The series is directed by Stefan Krohmer, with Nils Dünker serving as the producer and Caroline Daube as the executive producer. The editor for SWR is Katharina Dufner. It is distributed by STUDIOCANAL.

The series promises to offer viewers a suspenseful and realistic crime drama, highlighting the emotional and professional challenges faced by those tasked with uncovering the truth behind brutal murders. The Black Forest Murders will be available on BBC iPlayer and BBC Four.