Series synopsis
Fatal News, also known as Der Fall Barschel is a German drama mystery television series that premiered on Das Erste on February 6, 2016. It ended on February 6, 2016. It was created by Kilian Riedhof. It stars Alexander Fehling, Fabian Hinrichs, Matthias Matschke and Antje Traue.
West Germany, 1987. The politician Uwe Barschel (1944-87), member of the Christian Democratic Union party and Minister-President of the Schleswig-Holstein region, is found dead in very sinister circumstances. Reporter David Burger pledges to find the truth behind one of the most important political scandals in German history, investigating countless speculations and conspiracy theories as he fights his own personal demons.
Premise
West Germany, 1987. The politician Uwe Barschel (1944-87), member of the Christian Democratic Union party and Minister-President of the Schleswig-Holstein region, is found dead in very sinister circumstances. Reporter David Burger pledges to find the truth behind one of the most important political scandals in German history, investigating countless speculations and conspiracy theories as he fights his own personal demons.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Alexander Fehling as David Burger
- Fabian Hinrichs as Olaf Nissen
- Matthias Matschke as Uwe Barschel
- Antje Traue as Giselle Neumayer
- Edgar Selge as Walter Brauneck
- Luise Heyer as Simone Burger
- Martin Brambach as Reiner Pfeiffer
- Paula Kalenberg as Anja Pohle
Supporting cast
- Patrick Hastert as Monsieur Lombard
- Godehard Giese as Georg Szepanski
Guest cast
- Rolf Lassgård as Ray
- Stephan Schad as Eike Barschel
- Björn Engholm as Himself (archive footage)
- Rainer Bock as Attorney General Hasse
- Erich Honecker as Self (archive footage)
- Franz Josef Strauß as Self (archive footage)
- Gerhard Stoltenberg as Self (archive footage)
- Hans-Dietrich Genscher as Self (archive footage)
- Helmut Kohl as Self (archive footage)
- Oliver North as Self (archive footage)
- Olof Palme as Self (archive footage)
- Ronald Reagan as Self (archive footage)
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 2 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 2 | February 6, 2016 | February 6, 2016 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 After surviving a serious plane crash, West German politician Uwe Barschel (1944-1987), a member of the Christian Democratic Union party and Minister-President of the Schleswig-Holstein region, must resign because of a political scandal. Later, in Geneva, he is found dead inside the bathtub of his hotel room. |
February 6, 2016 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Germany, 1993. Six years have passed since the mysterious death of Uwe Barschel, and nothing has really been resolved. As David delves deeper into the hidden life of the politician, he becomes more obsessed and paranoid, feeling haunted by real and unreal dark forces. |
February 6, 2016 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Das Erste |
|---|---|
| First aired | February 6, 2016 |
| Last aired | February 6, 2016 |
| Runtime | 90 minutes |
| Status | ended |