Babylon Berlin

Set against the decadent swirl of late 1920s Berlin, Babylon Berlin follows Gereon Rath, a wary police investigator who moves from Cologne to the city at the heart of political upheaval, crime and shifting loyalties. The new post is a maze of smoky cabarets, corrupt officials, and whispers of revolution as Rath digs into a sprawling case that tangles him with journalists, gangsters and powerful figures who pull the strings of a society on the brink. As he navigates a metropolis where prosperity sits beside simmering violence, Rath must decide what kind of truth is worth pursuing and who deserves protection in a city straining to redefine itself. Rath's encounters with a city that blends decadence with danger pull him into a web of secrets that test his loyalties and his ideas of justice.

Produced and created by Tom Tykwer, Achim von Borries and Hendrik Handloegten, Babylon Berlin premiered in 2017 and it's adapted from Volker Kutscher's Gereon Rath novels, delivering a richly textured period crime drama with cinematic scope. The crew blends careful period research with modern storytelling pacing.

The show has become a touchstone for modern German television thanks to its lush production design, authentic 1920s wardrobes, and sprawling street scenes that capture Weimar Berlin's tension between glamour and danger. Its mood and scale have drawn international attention to period crime dramas.

Critics praised its ambition, complex plotting, and strong performances, particularly of Volker Bruch and Liv Lisa Fries. Themes revolve around power, corruption, the clash of old order and modernity, gender roles in a changing city, and the role of media in society.

Awards: The series has earned nominations and wins at major German awards and international festivals, reflecting its technical craft, score, cast depth, and daring approach to a turbulent era that resonates beyond the screen.