Watch Babylon Berlin

Babylon Berlin is a German crime drama series set in the 1920s. It is based on the bestselling detective novels by Volker Kutscher. The series is directed by Tom Tykwer, Achim von Borries, and Hendrik Handloegten. It originally premiered on Sky Deutschland in 2017, and later aired on Netflix in other countries.

The show is set in Berlin in the year 1929, during the Weimar Republic era. It is a time of political instability and social upheaval in Germany, with the aftermath of World War I still being felt and the rise of the Nazi party looming on the horizon. Against this backdrop, the series follows the investigations of detective Gereon Rath (Volker Bruch) and his partner Charlotte Ritter (Liv Lisa Fries) as they try to solve various crimes in the city.

Gereon Rath is a traumatized war veteran who has been sent to Berlin from his hometown of Cologne to assist in a political investigation. He is suffering from PTSD and is dependent on morphine to control his symptoms. Despite his personal struggles, Rath is a competent detective who is determined to get to the bottom of the cases he is working on. Charlotte Ritter is a young woman who works as a stenographer for the police department. She is ambitious and wants to become a detective herself, but faces discrimination and sexism because of her gender and social class.

The cases that Rath and Ritter investigate are varied and often intertwine with each other. The first season focuses on the murder of a pornographic film actress and the theft of a train carrying gold. As the investigation progresses, they uncover a web of corruption and conspiracy involving the police department, the criminal underworld, and the German government. The second season delves deeper into the political intrigue, as Rath and Ritter become embroiled in a power struggle between different factions vying for control of the city.

The show is notable for its attention to detail in recreating the atmosphere of 1920s Berlin. The production design, costumes, and music all contribute to a vivid portrayal of the period. The city itself is a character in the show, with its contrasts between the glittering nightlife of the cabarets and the poverty and squalor of the slums. The series also touches on important social issues of the time, such as the rising influence of National Socialism, the oppression of the LGBTQ+ community, and the role of women in society.

The acting in Babylon Berlin is superb, with Volker Bruch and Liv Lisa Fries delivering nuanced and compelling performances as Rath and Ritter, respectively. The supporting cast is also strong, with notable performances from Peter Kurth as Rath's boss, Helga Wessels as a wealthy socialite caught up in the criminal underworld, and Matthias Brandt as a corrupt police commissioner.

Overall, Babylon Berlin is a gripping and immersive show that transports viewers to a fascinating period in German history. Its mix of crime drama, political intrigue, and social commentary makes for a rich and rewarding viewing experience. The series has been praised for its writing, direction, and production values, and has won numerous awards, including the International Emmy for Best Drama Series.

Babylon Berlin is a series that is currently running and has 3 seasons (37 episodes). The series first aired on October 13, 2017.