Advanced Television

Lisa Vicari and Peter Kurth investigating Struwwelpeter murders in German HBO Original

March 24, 2026

In Heinrich Hoffman’s 19th century German children’s book Struwwelpeter, children face severe consequences for misbehavior. In the six-part German HBO Original, these stories serve as inspiration for a series of gruesome murders targeting seemingly respectable citizens.

Filming is currently underway in Berlin, Brandenburg, and Saxony-Anhalt.

Anke Greifeneder, VP Original Production for HBO Max in GSE and France, commented: “The stories of Struwwelpeter have unsettled generations of children far beyond Germany’s borders. In our series they become a brutal reality. It’s not just a gripping thriller – it allows us to explore existential themes: punishment and forgiveness, responsibility, and the question of what makes us good parents, good people.”

Jantje Friese and Baran bo Odar, Executive Producer Dark Ways, added: “When Matija Dragojević first presented us with his idea for a serial killer show inspired by the Struwwelpeter tales, we were immediately captivated. What struck us most was the way he uses the genre to explore something profoundly intimate: the fragile relationship between being raised and being a parent. In Lennart Ruff, we found a director who not only brings extraordinary visual power to his storytelling but is also able to capture this emotional and psychological complexity with great cinematic precision.”

About the series

A series of ritualistic murders inspired by the dark tales of Struwwelpeter forces BKA investigator Anja Vogler to return to the hometown she once fled. Each scene is an indictment, but the charge remains obscure. As Anja follows the trail of cryptic clues, she must face a guilt she has long suppressed — and the son she left behind.

Starring in the HBO Original are Lisa Vicari (Dark, Hijack) as Anja Vogler and Peter Kurth (Babylon Berlin) as detective Norbert Troschitz. Recurring roles include Jan Friedrichsen as Anja’s son Max, Iris Böhm as Anja’s mother Kerstin, Merlin Rose, Maria Simon, Mišel Matičević, and Stipe Erceg.

Created by Matija Dragojević and written by Dragojević with co-head writer Bob Konrad (Kleo), the six-part series is directed by Lennart Ruff (Unfamiliar), with cinematography by Christian Stangassinger (Unfamiliar). The thriller series is produced by Dark Ways for HBO Max, executive producers are Jantje Friese and Baran bo Odar, Nora Markwald, and Benedikt Bothe. Executive producer for HBO Max is Anke Greifeneder, who also serves as head of the editorial team.

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