German-Language Black Gold Recruits New Talent

Kinescope Film and FilmNation Entertainment’s historical German-language epic Black Gold, distributed by Fifth Season, has cast new talent, including Gwendoline Christie (Severance, Game of Thrones).

Marton Csokas (The Luminaries, Cuckoo, The Equalizer) and Merlin Sandmeyer (Die Discounter) also join the cast. Two-time Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer and violinist and composer Aleksey Igudesman will compose the soundtrack.

In Black Gold, as an oil rush threatens to tear the farming community apart, an impossible love ignites between Richard Pape, the privileged heir, and Joanna Lambert, the determined daughter of the farmers. Against a backdrop of greed, betrayal and social divide, the Lambert women lead a daring fight for justice.

Matthias Greving, producer and CEO at Kinescope Film, said: “With Black Gold, we set out to tell a story that is both epic in scale and deeply human—a tale of ambition, love and resistance set against the seismic shift of Germany’s industrial awakening. Rooted in the striking landscapes of the North German heath and inspired by the first oil discovery in Wietze, it’s a chapter of history rarely told on-screen. Partnering with Fifth Season and FilmNation allows us to bring this uniquely German story to a truly global audience. Welcoming Gwendoline Christie, Marton Csokas and Merlin Sandmeyer to our already brilliant cast is a thrilling moment; their characters bring a bold, outsider energy to where history and drama collide. And with Hans Zimmer and Aleksey Igudesman’s unmistakable musical voices shaping the emotional landscape, we believe Black Gold will resonate far beyond borders.”

Jennifer Ebell, executive VP of television distribution at Fifth Season, added: “Black Gold is a sweeping, emotionally charged story that brings a fresh perspective to a chapter of history we don’t often associate with Germany. Set against the backdrop of an oil rush, it’s a drama of greed, betrayal and shifting fortunes, told with real scale and heart. Having Gwendoline, Marton and Merlin join the exceptional cast, along with Hans Zimmer to bring the soundtrack life, makes the series even more powerful. As our first German production, we’re especially proud to back a project that combines true prestige storytelling with broad international appeal.”

FilmNation’s Kirstie Macdonald and Andy Kim said: “We’re delighted to partner with Kinescope and Fifth Season to bring the remarkable historic epic Black Gold to life. We know this truly international series, featuring an exceptional cast and musical score, will resonate with audiences far beyond Germany, and we can’t wait for viewers worldwide to experience this brilliant story.”

Executive producers are Kirsten Lukaczik and Dennis Becker. The series was co-created and executive produced by Greving for Kinescope Film, together with FilmNation’s Macdonald and Kim, 4film’s Anita Juka and Daniel Kresmery and Hero Squared’s Jonathan Halperyn.

The series was created by Justin Koch, who also serves as head writer. It is directed by Tim Trachte and Nina Wolfrum. The production is supported with funds from the German Motion Picture Fund.