Leitmayr and Batic say goodbye in Munich, with Tator serving as their final send-off
After a 35-year run, the long-standing German crime series "Tatort" said goodbye to its beloved detectives Leitmayr and Batic, played by Udo Wachtveitl and Miroslav Nemec, in a poignant finale that aired on November 13, 2017. The final episode, titled "Unforgettable," marked the end of an era for the series, but not for the "Tatort" franchise as a whole.
The final scenes of Leitmayr and Batic were filmed in Munich, where the series is set, and featured a few nostalgic nods to their first case back in 2002. One such nod was the reappearance of Leitmayr's iconic red Porsche, which was a staple of the early episodes. The storyline of "Unforgettable" revolved around a murderous phantom slipping through Munich's rental apartments, a theme that subtly referenced their first case, the 1991 episode "Animals."
Despite the emotional farewell, the departure of Leitmayr and Batic was not sudden. The audience had been gradually getting used to the idea, with the characters' departure announced well in advance. The farewell wasn't without its share of surprises, however. During a scene, assistant Kalli, played by Ferdinand Hofer, pulled out beers and declared it as the last scene as Kalli with them, much to the delight of the cast.
The crew also paid tribute to Leitmayr and Batic during a lunch break, playing "Time To Say Goodbye" as a farewell song. Udo Wachtveitl and Miroslav Nemec expressed their gratitude for the 35 wonderful years they spent on the series, promising to support each other after the final shoot. Miroslav Nemec mentioned that there might be some blues after the final shoot but they will be together, visiting Croatia privately.
The departure of Leitmayr and Batic does not mean the end of the Munich "Tatort" series. Ferdinand Hofer, who plays assistant Kalli, will remain with the series and form a new detective team with Carlo Ljubek (49) from 2026. Carlo Ljubek will be seen as Kriminalhauptkommissar Nikola Buvac in the Munich "Tatort" series.
The broadcast date for "Unforgettable" has not yet been determined. For those interested in revisiting the journey of Leitmayr and Batic, key episodes or reviews and analyses of their character arcs can provide a fascinating insight into their growth from their first episode to their last. The first episode featuring Batic and Leitmayr aired in 2002.
In the last scene of "Unforgettable," the final episode of the series, assistant Kalli organized a small celebration with beers, indicating his own parting from the long-standing detective duo. In the future, entertainment enthusiasts can revisit the character arcs of Leitmayr and Batic through key episodes or reviews, appreciating their evolution from their debut in 2002 to their poignant farewell in 2017.
