ORF revives Kommissar Rex and Braunschlag with nostalgic crime drama lineup
ORF is bringing back classic crime dramas this month with a mix of nostalgia and fresh content. The broadcaster will replay beloved Tatort episodes from Vienna, marking the end of an era for two long-standing detectives. Alongside this, a cult series returns with a new two-part special, while a well-known police dog makes a comeback after years off screen.
The revival of Kommissar Rex is set to premiere on ORF on April 13. The original series, which began in 1991, ran for around 70 German-Italian episodes between 1994 and 2004. A short-lived Italian revival in 2008 added 12 more episodes before the show ended. No new instalments have been made since then, making this return a long-awaited event for fans.
Before that, ORF will air *Braunschlag 1986*, a two-part special continuing the cult series. The episodes will run this Friday and Saturday, transporting viewers back to the 1980s with its signature mix of dark humour and small-town drama. Meanwhile, ORF is replaying *Tatort* episodes set in Vienna over the past 27 years. The selection honours the departure of detectives Adele Neuhauser and Harald Krassnitzer, whose final cases aired earlier this year. Among the reruns is *The Art of War* (2016), a standout episode whose dialogue now carries a poignant edge for long-time viewers.
The schedule offers something for both longtime fans and new audiences. Kommissar Rex returns after a 16-year gap, while Braunschlag 1986 extends its cult following with fresh 1980s-themed storytelling. The Tatort reruns, meanwhile, provide a chance to revisit key moments from Vienna's fictional crime history before the series moves on.
