Tatort Duo: "The Murderous Profession Won't Be Missed" - Legendary Tatort detectives Batic and Leitmayr bow out after 35 years in Easter 2026 finale
After 35 years and 100 episodes, actors Miroslav Nemec and Udo Wachtveitl are stepping down from their roles as Munich’s Tatort detectives Batic and Leitmayr. Their final appearance will be a two-part special, marking the end of one of the longest-running partnerships in the crime series’ history. The episode, titled Unvergänglich, is set to air at Easter 2026 on ARD.
Nemec and Wachtveitl first took on the roles of the investigative duo in 1991. Over the decades, they became two of Tatort’s most recognisable figures, solving murders across Munich. The actors often reflected on their work, valuing how audiences connected with their characters. Yet not every episode met their standards—both later criticised instalments like Song of Dead Things and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Their farewell case follows a chilling hunt for a phantom killer moving through Munich’s rental apartments. Time is running out, not just for the investigation but for Batic and Leitmayr’s careers as well. The double-length finale, Unvergänglich, will bring their story to a close. In recognition of their contributions, Bavaria’s Minister-President Markus Söder awarded them the honorary Blue Panther prize in October 2025. The accolade underscored their lasting impact on German television and Bavarian culture.
The Easter 2026 broadcast will be the last time viewers see Batic and Leitmayr on screen. Their departure leaves a gap in Tatort’s Munich team, ending a 35-year run as one of the show’s most enduring detective pairs. The two-part finale will serve as both a case conclusion and a tribute to their long careers.
