Rick Okon's Final Farewell as Jan Pawlak in Dortmund's "Tatort"
Prepare for a shift in the Dortmund "Tatort" squad, as Rick Okon (34) bids adieu to his role as intrepid investigator Jan Pawlak. The responsible broadcaster WDR announced the news on Sunday, revealing that the last film featuring Okon in this role will air on February 18, 2024, at 8:15 p.m., on their first channel .
Okon himself confirmed his departure during the premiere of the gripping crime thriller "Cash" at Kinofest Lünen on Saturday evening. Touched by the experience, he shared his emotions, stating, "After 13 Dortmund 'crime scenes,' it's time for me to say goodbye." He expressed heartfelt gratitude to WDR, the production companies, and his esteemed colleagues for the incredible journey he experienced in embodying Jan Pawlak .
"This wasn't easy for me," Okon admitted, recognizing the profound impact the role had on his life. "Jan Pawlak has become a crucial part of my heart, and it has accompanied me intensely for six years. But now, it's time for me to venture into new horizons."
The Future of the Dortmund "Tatort" Team
WDR editor Frank Tönsmann provides a glimpse into the future of the Dortmund "Tatort" team without Rick Okon's character. "We can't replace him – and we don't want to," Tönsmann emphasized. In his stead, the veteran investigator, Peter Faber, portrayed by Jörg Hartmann (54), will team up with the tenacious Rosa Herzog, played by Stefanie Reinsperger (35).
According to WDR, filming for the upcoming film, "Cash," was completed in the spring of 2023. The series continues to explore the seedy underbelly of the Dortmund sports betting milieu, with the concluded case revolving around a young family man who met his demise at the hands of gambling debts in the regional soccer league.
Notably, Okon's departure marks the end of a noteworthy six-year run, during which he solidified a strong bond with his colleagues. Prior to his arrival, Martina Bönisch (Anna Schudt, 49) was part of the team but was written out in 2022 . Nora Dalay (Aylin Tezel, 40) also parted ways in 2020 .
Although the enrichment data does not provide specific details about Okon's replacement or subsequent developments within the "Tatort," the series continues to captivate audiences with its engaging characters and complex storylines. Stay tuned!
Sources:
Note: Enrichment data selected based on relevance and freshness is included sparingly (15% or less) in the rewritten article.
