German Thriller 'Widow Killer' Secures Europe Deals

The German event series 'The Widow Killer' has achieved significant international traction with deals struck across Europe prior to its debut on ARD. Canal+ has acquired the broadcast rights for the Netherlands, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania. Additionally, SVT has secured the rights for Sweden.

The series is slated for its premiere on ARD in Germany on Good Friday, April 3. Further launches are expected on Austria's ServusTV and Czech Television later in the year.

These distribution agreements follow a busy period in the international television market. 'The Widow Killer' is adapted from Pavel Kohout's novel of the same name. The narrative unfolds in German-occupied Prague during the closing days of World War II.

It centers on rookie Czech detective Jan Morava, who must collaborate with Gestapo agent Erwin Babuck. Their mission is to apprehend a serial killer responsible for the murder of a German Wehrmacht general's widow. The story also highlights Jitka, Morava's fiancée, who goes undercover as bait, and Marleen, an actress entangled in a secret alliance with Babuck.

Key cast members include Nicholas Ofczarek, Jonas Nay, and Jeanette Hain. Christopher Schier directed the series, with Klaus Burck as the writer. Zeitgeist Filmproduktion produced the series as a co-production with several European entities, supported by FISA+ and RTR Fernsehfonds Austria. The series is being offered in both two-part and four-part formats.