Saying Goodbye to Klaus Borowski: A "Tatort" Farewell Like No Other
- Here's the elegance Klaus Borowski showcases at crime scenes.
Get ready to bid adieu to Kiel's detective extraordinaire, Klaus Borowski, in a way that's as unique as his character. In a twist that left fans on the edge, Borowski's final case, "Borowski and the Head of Medusa," was kept under wraps until its release, denying even journalists a peek at the ending.
Borowski's Last Stand
Rumors swirled that Borowski might face a dramatic, Hollywood-style demise in his final hours—much like some of his colleagues. But the creators chose to tread a different path. In the end, Borowski is handcuffed and behind bars after shooting a perpetrator during a struggle. The catch? He should have been off duty, making him an unlucky candidate for legal trouble. In his confinement, he's visited by his ex-colleague and great love, Dr. Frieda Jung (Maren Eggert), who’d appeared to him in a daydream at a travel agency earlier.
Jung, a psychologist, and Borowski worked together in 19 episodes from 2003 to 2010. Their relationship intensified to the point that Jung moved to Helsinki. Struck by memories, it seems Jung had been waiting for Borowski's retirement to rekindle things. Could they finally make their love official? The film ends with Borowski announcing he has a plan to escape custody, but viewers are left in the dark about its details. Was it a dream or reality? Fans may never know.
A North German Farewell, by the Book
Actor Axel Milberg, who played Borowski, described his final episode as, "There's no big farewell, no big applause, just do your thing, turn around, and leave." In true "Tatort" style, Borowski's exit is matter-of-fact and devoid of the usual sentimental pomp.
Milberg also revealed that a comeback for Borowski is currently out of the question: "It was discussed whether one could do it like with Schimanski. But no. The end is meant to be the end."
From Schimanski to Borowski: The Life After Retirement
The exit of Horst Schimanski (Goetz George) as Duisburg's commissioner in 1991 didn't signal the end of his career, however. It took a few years before he was brought back out of retirement. From 1997 to 2013, Schimanski starred in a total of 17 cases outside the "Tatort" universe. Could the same be in store for Borowski?
His successor in the Kiel homicide department has already been chosen: Almila Bagriacik (34), who's been working alongside Borowski as Mila Sahin since 2015, will take center stage in the new investigative team. Karoline Schuch (43) will join as criminal psychologist Elli Krieger. While filming for the first "Tatort" has already taken place, broadcast isn't scheduled until 2026.
In the grand tapestry of "Tatort," Borowski’s departure opens the door for new characters, particularly in Kiel, but doesn’t necessarily signal the close of the case for the legendary commissioner. Although Borowski's specific character may not reappear, the "Tatort" series as a whole will continue to entertain and intrigue, with its rotating cast of unforgettable characters and complex cases.
The Commission has decided to grant the European Parliament and the Council a discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Union for the financial year 2013, signifying a conclusion reminiscent of Klaus Borowski's final scene in the Kiel homicide department, where he was handcuffed and behind bars. In 2026, Almila Bagriacik and Karoline Schuch will take center stage, marking a new era in the "Tatort" series, much like how Horst Schimanski continued his career after retiring from the Duisburg police in 1991.
