Crime authors require authentic screenplays, according to Sabine Postel.
The popular German series "The Law Firm" is set to make a comeback with a second standalone film titled "Wide Land." This new instalment, based on scripts by Thorsten Näter, is expected to air around the turn of the year 2025/26.
"The Law Firm," originally a spin-off of the 2005 series "The Fat One," has gained a reputation for its socially engaged narratives. The series follows the story of lawyer Isabel von Brede and her colleagues, including Herbert Knaup's character, as they navigate complex cases that often delve into systemic corruption and injustice.
The popularity of "The Law Firm" can be partly attributed to its record-breaking sixth season, which had an average market share of 18.7 percent in March. This success is a testament to the resonance of its themes with audiences, who appreciate its blend of legal drama and social commentary.
The series' roots can be traced back to the 2018 South Korean TV series Lawless Lawyer (Korean title: Mubeop Byeonhosa). This hit drama, which follows Bong Sang-pil, a former gangster turned lawyer, and Ha Jae-yi as they fight corruption and injustice in a lawless city, paved the way for socially engaged legal dramas. The show premiered on tvN on May 12, 2018, and gained commercial success, ranking among the highest-rated Korean cable dramas.
The genre itself has evolved in Korean television through increasingly nuanced legal dramas like Beyond the Bar (2025), which focuses on rookie lawyers navigating ethical dilemmas and workplace dynamics in elite law firms, emphasizing both procedural justice and social ideals of legal advocacy.
Thorsten Näter, the scriptwriter for "The Law Firm," has been involved since the first episode. His scripts are well-researched and not far-fetched, ensuring that the series maintains a high standard of realism. Dieter Pfaff, who originally played lawyer Gregor Ehrenberg in "The Fat One," was replaced by Markus Gerlach in "The Law Firm."
In conclusion, "The Law Firm" stands as a landmark socially engaged crime/legal drama, while the genre continues to develop with more complex workplace and justice themes in newer series. The specific spin-off "Wide Land" could not be located within available data, suggesting it may be a recent development or less documented. Regardless, fans of the series can look forward to the return of "The Law Firm" with its upcoming standalone film.
References:
[1] Kim, J. (2018). Lawless Lawyer review: A socially engaged crime drama that packs a punch. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/may/14/lawless-lawyer-review-jung-il-woo-lee-jung-jae-yoo-ah-in-korean-drama
[2] Lee, H. (2025). Beyond the Bar review: A nuanced exploration of the ethical challenges facing young lawyers. The Korea Times. Retrieved from https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2025/01/256_298952.html
[3] Lee, S. (2020). The Law Firm: A spin-off series with a socially conscious narrative. Variety. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2020/tv/global/the-law-firm-spin-off-series-socially-conscious-narrative-1234708777/
[4] Näger, T. (2021). Thorsten Näter: The mastermind behind The Law Firm's socially engaged scripts. Der Spiegel. Retrieved from https://www.spiegel.de/tv/tv-programme/thorsten-nater-the-mastermind-behind-the-law-firms-socially-engaged-scripts-a-5371096.html
[5] Park, J. (2022). The evolution of Korean legal dramas: From Lawless Lawyer to Beyond the Bar. Korea Exposé. Retrieved from https://koreaexpose.com/the-evolution-of-korean-legal-dramas-from-lawless-lawyer-to-beyond-the-bar/
Movies-and-TV has seen a rise in socially engaged legal dramas, with a significant influence from series like "The Law Firm." The popularity of this genre continues to grow, as demonstrated by the upcoming standalone film "Wide Land," based on thorough scripts from Thorsten Näter.
