Watch Our Miracle Years

Our Miracle Years is a German drama television series, originally titled "Unsere wunderbaren Jahre". The eight-part series aired on the public broadcaster ZDF in Germany in 2020 and is now streaming on PBS Masterpiece. The show is based on the novel of the same name by German author Peter Prange and is set in Germany from the 1950s to the 1980s.

The show follows the lives of four friends: Bernd, Klaus, Alex, and Maria. They live in a small German town where they grow up together and experience all the changes and upheavals of the post-war period. The story is told through the eyes of Maria, who is played by Elisa Schlott. Vanessa Loibl plays her best friend and fellow fighter for women, Eva.

The series starts in the aftermath of World War II when Germans were picking up the pieces of their lives, and the country is split into two halves. The show depicts how the country is changing as a result of rising expectations, new technologies, and the liberation of women from their traditional roles. As children, the four friends witness the trial of a Nazi war criminal, and this event has lasting consequences for all of them.

As the years roll by, the friends are forced to confront the realities of life in a society that is rapidly changing. They experience the transformation of their country in different ways and have to navigate the complexities of family, politics, and relationships. Bernd, who is played by Lucas Reiber, becomes a rising star in the West German political landscape, while Klaus (Jannis Niewöhner) moves to East Germany to pursue his dream of becoming a filmmaker.

Maria, in the meantime, is determined to break free from the traditional expectations of her gender and find her voice in a world that is still dominated by men. She becomes a newspaper journalist and takes on a series of investigative stories that challenge the status quo. Eva, on the other hand, dreams of becoming a singer but struggles to find her place in a changing world.

Our Miracle Years is a gripping and emotional story that explores the transformation of post-war Germany through the eyes of its younger generation. The show also deals with essential issues such as the role of women in society, political instability, and the impact of the past on the present. The series is hugely successful in Germany and has been hailed as a masterpiece of television drama.

One of the strengths of the show is its excellent cast. Elisa Schlott delivers a vulnerable and nuanced performance as Maria, while Vanessa Loibl is outstanding as her best friend Eva. Lucas Reiber and Jannis Niewöhner bring depth and complexity to their characters, and the chemistry between the four friends is palpable.

Another strength of the series is its attention to detail in recreating the period setting. The show's production design and costumes are meticulous, and the soundtrack features an impressive selection of German pop and rock music from the 1960s and 1970s. The result is a visually stunning and immersive viewing experience that transports the audience to a bygone era.

Overall, Our Miracle Years is an excellent series that will appeal to fans of historical drama, social commentary, and powerful storytelling. The show's themes are as relevant today as they were in the post-war period, and the characters' struggles and triumphs will stay with viewers long after the final episode has ended. Highly recommended!

Our Miracle Years is a series that is currently running and has 2 seasons (12 episodes). The series first aired on August 27, 2021.