Netflix Slates First Original Series Made in Germany

BEVERLY HILLS: Marking the first German original series for Netflix, Dark, a family saga with a supernatural twist, will debut exclusively on the internet TV network in 2017.

The drama is set in present day in a German town where the disappearance of two children exposes the double lives and fractured relationships among four families. The story takes on a supernatural twist that ties back to the same town in 1986. Production is expected to start on the 10×1-hour series later this year.

Dark is directed by Baran bo Odar, who is also behind the German box-office success Who Am I: No System is Safe. Odar’s next film will be Sleepless Night with Oscar-Winner Jamie Foxx.

Odar commented: “We’re very excited to shoot the first Netflix original series made in Germany. To be part of the family that brought amazing shows like House of Cards and Bloodline to its audience is a huge honor. As Dark will be an ensemble mystery series, I especially look forward to discovering and working with new German talent. This will be a fantastic ride and I can’t wait to get started.”

Writer Jantje Friese added, “The way Dark was embraced by Netflix was extraordinary. We’re so happy to be making this show in Germany for Netflix subscribers around the world to enjoy. We couldn’t be happier to team up again with Quirin Berg, Max Wiedemann and Justyna Müsch as production partners, who have already shown with Who Am I that they can take an idea the extra mile.”

“Dark is an incredible German story that will appeal to a global audience,” said Erik Barmack, the VP of international originals at Netflix. “Bo and Jantje are creative talents that have developed great projects in both Berlin and Hollywood, and we are thrilled to be working with them on our first original series entirely authored, shot and produced in Germany.”

“Dark is a milestone for the German market and for us as a company,” said producer Quirin Berg, co-founder of German production company Wiedemann & Berg. “Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese are outstanding talents and we are glad they shared this amazing idea with us. We feel privileged to continue our collaboration with both of them and we are all thrilled to join forces with a great team at Netflix to create something truly unique.”