Channel 4's Walter Presents has become renowned for bringing us some of the best international dramas out there, but few are quite as captivatingly chilling as The Marnow Murders. The 5-star detective drama combines gruesome murders, shocking twists and characters harbouring dark secrets - and if you're anything like us, it's very likely to become your new TV obsession.
Set in the city of Schwerin the atmospheric drama sees detectives Lona Mendt (Petra Schmidt-Schaller) and Frank Elling (Sascha Alexander Geršak) team up to solve murders case - with many of the details based on true-life historical events. Series one has already been a huge hit on Channel 4's streaming platform, with fans describing it as a detective drama like no other - and fortunately for them (and you!), a second series is on its way to our screens imminently.
Before you catch up, here’s everything you need to know about The Marnow Murders, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is The Marnow Murders about?
The first series of The Marnow Murders, which arrived on Channel 4 in 2023, picks up during a sweltering summer in the small lakeside city of Schwerin, northeastern Germany. A string of murders - starting with a man, Alexander Beck, who's discovered in his apartment hanging upside down - plague the city, and the gruesome killings seem random... at first.
On the case are a detective double act, who are like chalk and cheese. Lona Mendt (Petra Schmidt-Schaller) is cool, aloof and independent. Her partner, Frank Elling (Sascha Alexander Gersak), on the other hand, is a loving and devoted family man. And yet together, with the help of junior detective, Jasper (Anton Rubtsov), they must connect the dots between the murders.
Meanwhile, as Lona and Frank set off on the murder trail, a group with ties to East Germany are on a mission to stop the pair from investigating. But why? There's also yet another obstacle in their way. Little do they know that their corrupt colleague Federal Police Investigator Bernd Peters (Jörg Schütauff) is working against them - and trying to get their investigation shut down.
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What will happen in The Marnow Murders series 2?
From a stiflingly hot summer to a blisteringly cold winter, the second series of The Marnow Murders kicks off with an equally challenging investigation. Lona and Frank uncover a web of sinister murders linked to a children’s home and a trafficking ring. And when a witness protection mission ends in bloodshed, leaving them both in a coma, a missing 12-year-old girl becomes the key to everything.
We also meet two new detectives, Kaminski (Sabrina Amali) and Dudek (Bernhard Conrad), who are forced to pick up the investigation. As the pair uncover erased files, hidden motives and a chilling conspiracy, we also watch a clever parallel narrative play out, which shows the events that have led the group to where they are today.
Who’s in the cast of The Marnow Murders?
The cast of The Marnow Murders includes:
- Minh-Khai Phan-Thi (Doppelhaushälfte) as Bettina Meier
- Sascha Alexander Gersak (Nothing Bad Can Happen) as Frank Elling
- Anton Rubtsov (Boom Boom Bruno) as Sören Jasper
- Petra Schmidt-Schaller (Ein Schritt zum Abgrund) as Lona Mendt
- Jörg Schüttauf (Forwards Ever!) as Bernd Peters
- Peter Kremer (Siska) as Norbert Böhm
- Victoria Trauttmansdorff (Counterparts) as Dr. Iris Fichte
- Anne Schäfer (Barcelona Crime) as Susanne Elling
- Bianca Nawrath (Lost in Fuseta) as Mareike Elling
- Christine Schorn (Apprehension) as Helga Elling
- Michael Mendl (In the Shadow of Power) as Klaus-Dieter Turn
- Lutz Blochberger (Breaking Horizons) as Michael Bender
- Judith Engel (Casting) as Frauke Bender
Is The Marnow Murders any good?
Yes - it's gritty, atmospheric and there are twists at practically every turn (Harlan Coben fans will love it!). Viewers have praised the series for the terrific acting, unique mysteries and clever parallel storyline. Some have even said they've rewatched it, which is a sure sign of a fantastic series.
How can I watch The Marnow Murders?
You can watch the first series of The Marnow Murders now on Channel 4. The Marnow Murders series two will be available as a full boxset on Channel 4 streaming from Friday 26th June.
What other detective dramas can I watch now?
If you love a grisly detective drama, we’d recommend Irvine Welsh’s Crime, which is set in Edinburgh and follows Detective Inspector Ray Lennox (Dougray Scott) who solves gritty and complex cases whilst battling personal demons of his own. Irvine Welsh’s Crime is available to stream now on ITVX. If you’re after another Walter Presents detective drama set in Germany, we'd suggest adding Hellground to your watchlist. When Dr. Fabian Lambert (August Wittgenstein) moves to a sleepy village in Germany’s Black Forest, a series of mysterious murders unfold - but are they connected to his arrival? All episodes of Hellground are available to watch now on Channel 4.
