New crime series on Friday: Doro Beitinger returns to her job as a detective after a long period of caring for a relative. Her new boss at the criminal investigation department, Chiara Locatelli, is a young and ambitious colleague who is significantly ahead of her in terms of career. Despite their differences, the two women quickly realize that they are an unbeatable team and can solve seemingly unsolvable cases in the Lake Constance region. In the episode “Die große Gier” (The Great Greed), Johanna Bittenbinder takes on the role of “Susanne Herrenberg,” while Sebastian Fritz plays “Sebastian Mockwitz” in “Wein und Wahrheit” (Wine and Truth). Available to stream on ZDF from February 27. Casting: Tessa Frank, Bavaria Fiction.

Im Zweifel für den Zweifel
Star chef Dobek has been murdered. Detectives Flierl, Neuhauser, and Schaller question his successor, Gerg. The prosecutor presses Gerg's interrogation with remarkable intensity. Starring Miriam Ohlmeyer as Milena Kraus. January 31 at 8:15 p.m. on ZDF and in the ZDF media library. Casting: Patricia Schetting, TV60.

2. Staffel
It seems as if the four friends Christiane, Doris, Inès, and Miriam have come to terms with their lives and their husbands under a cloak of silence. But when Emily Wagenthein arrives at Sophianum as a new student and lifts this cloak, it becomes clear that still waters run deep. Sissy Höfferer returns as “Frau Grünberger.” The new season will be available to watch in the ARD media library from January 16, 2026. Casting: Nicole Schmied.

Geld wie Heu
Alexander Dierbach's film will be shown on RTL on January 20, 2026, at 8:15 p.m. and will subsequently be available on RTL+. Former police officer Eric Seeler works as a street worker in Lübeck. When one of his protégés comes under suspicion of murder, his paths cross with Inspector Hannah Vogt, who initially has little time for Seeler's unconventional ways. But as the investigation intensifies, confrontation gives way to trust—and opposites become a team. Screenplay: Alexander Dierbach and Mike Bäuml, Director: Alexander Dierbach.

On January 13, 2026, at 6 p.m., Dieter Fischer will be a guest on the quiz show with Kai Plaume. Dieter will team up with Wotan Wilke Möhring to compete against Max Müller and Bernhard Hoëcker.

Pechmarie
The new episode of the popular crime series will be broadcast on January 29, 2026, on Das Erste and is already available in the ARD media library. It was directed by Joana Vogdt. A terrible discovery shocks the tranquil town of Schwanitz. Four bodies are found in a nearby forest, apparently the remains of a drug deal that went wrong. The cocaine is still there, but the money has disappeared.

Meine Reise mit Robert Habeck
Lars Jessen's highly personal documentary is currently showing in cinemas. The film takes a look behind the scenes of Robert Habeck's 2025 election campaign – a campaign that began with high expectations and ended with significant losses for the Green Party. Habeck then retired from politics. Few German politicians have stirred up more emotion in recent years: for some, he is a beacon of hope, for others, a projection of everything they reject about the present.

We are delighted that the Netflix series starring Tom Beck will be getting a second season. Filming will begin in 2026. Production: Geißendörfer Pictures, Casting: Die Besetzer.

Filming for the ARD/ORF thriller has been completed. It tells the story of Kodjo, a young man from Togo who is living illegally in Vienna. When he witnesses a cold-blooded murder one night, his already fragile life is thrown into complete disarray. The film was directed by Alexander Dierbach.

Lea's family falls into the clutches of a cosmic cult that promises salvation in a higher existence on Jupiter. In flashbacks that lead deeper and deeper into the past, the family's struggle to hold on to life is gradually revealed, while the girl must decide whether to follow her parents Barbara and Thomas or go her own way on Earth. “Jupiter” starring Laura Tonke will be available to watch in the ZDF media library from December 19 and on free-to-air TV on December 22 at 12:15 a.m.