These Crime Highlights are Coming Up Until New Year's - ‘Tatort’ Unwraps Eight Festive Crime Dramas for the Holidays
German crime drama Tatort is set to thrill viewers with eight fresh episodes over the festive season. The packed schedule begins on 23 November and runs straight through to New Year’s Day, featuring debuts, farewells and a two-part special for the holiday.
The long-running series will showcase both new and familiar detectives, including a milestone for Munich’s veteran duo Batic and Leitmayr.
The lineup launches on 23 November with Survive at Least Until Tomorrow, set in Stuttgart. Guest star Pierre M. Krause takes centre stage in this opening case.
A week later, on 30 November, Frankfurt’s news team returns for their second investigation in Light. Maryam Azadi and Hamza Kulina lead the episode, which follows their debut earlier this year.
On 7 December, Münster’s team faces a major change as Mechthild Großmann departs in The Invention of the Wheel. The actress has been part of the Tatort family for years, and this marks her final appearance with the squad.
The following week, 14 December, brings one of the last Vienna-based stories. Detectives Moritz Eisner and Bibi Fellner tackle The Electrician, continuing their long partnership in the Austrian capital.
A double feature arrives on 21 December, introducing cyber-specialist Mario Schmitt. The episodes star Thorsten Falke and highlight the growing role of digital news in the series.
On 26 December, Munich’s Batic and Leitmayr reach a landmark with The Longing—their 98th case out of 100. The duo have been solving crimes together since 1991, making them one of Tatort’s most enduring teams.
The year’s final Tatort airs on New Year’s Day with Deadly Nightshade. Dresden’s Leonie Winkler and Peter Michael Schnabel close the season with a fresh mystery. Before that, a two-part New Year’s Eve special, also set in Stuttgart, will see Pierre M. Krause return for another high-stakes news investigation.
The Black Forest team, led by Kommissar Friedemann Berg (Hans-Jochen Wagner), remains part of the rotation after his debut in December 2021’s Der Reini.
The eight new episodes ensure Tatort fans have plenty to watch during the holiday break. From debuts in Frankfurt and cyber-news plots to a near-century of cases for Batic and Leitmayr, the series continues to evolve while keeping its classic detective format.
The final broadcast of 2024 wraps up on 1 January, leaving audiences with a mix of new faces and long-standing favourites.
