ZDF Crime Series "Jenseits der Spree" Returns for Sixth Season
The popular German detective drama is back with eight new episodes and features a final appearance by the late actress Luna Jordan.
The hit German television crime series "Jenseits der Spree" has officially returned to ZDF for its sixth season, bringing millions of viewers back to the Köpenick district in Berlin. The premiere aired on Friday, October 16, 2026, during primetime, continuing the weekly broadcast schedule of eight new episodes running through early December.
For fans eager to watch ahead of the broadcast, the network adopted an online-first approach, making the entire season available to stream for free on the ZDF Mediathek platform starting October 9. The new season once again centers on complex criminal investigations handled by lead investigator Robert Heffler, played by veteran actor Jürgen Vogel, alongside detective Mavi Neumann, portrayed by Aybi Era.
In the season opener, titled "Kontrollverlust," Heffler and Neumann tackle the brutal murder of a stadium security guard whose pregnant girlfriend narrowly survives the attack. Alongside the gripping criminal plots, the new episodes showcase ongoing developments within Heffler's family, including Emmi taking on more responsibility and Stella preparing for a journey.
This latest season also carries profound emotional significance for the cast and crew following the sudden death of young actress Luna Jordan in May at the age of 25. Jordan portrayed Stella Heffler, the daughter of Jürgen Vogel's character, for six years. Her final performance in the role was broadcast during the season premiere.
Before the first episode aired, ZDF honored the late actress with a dedicated tribute card bearing the message, "In loving memory of Luna Jordan." Because of her passing, her character's departure from the storyline was written as a quiet exit involving a trip to South America, which producers described as an encouraging and gentle farewell.
Months after her sudden passing, leading actor Jürgen Vogel spoke publicly about the tragedy for the first time in a video shared on social media. Addressing why he remained silent initially, Vogel explained that grief is a deeply personal experience and that he wanted to avoid any misunderstanding that the cast had simply moved on.
Describing her death as a massive disruption for everyone involved, Vogel emphasized how deeply she is missed by her colleagues after six years of close collaboration. The series continues to feature its established ensemble cast, including Lea Zoë Voss as Carlotta Heffler, Elisabeth Baulitz, Philippa Jarke, and Bella Bading, as the show presses forward with its sixth successful year on air.