Mystery in Wäldern
“Ist Magda in der Anderwelt und kann Lara sie retten?” asked ARD Mediathek on November 11, 2026, as the mystery series returns to television.
Music teacher Lara Glanz searches for her missing niece Magda and her escaped sister Greta in the fictional German village of Wäldern, ardmediathek.de reported. The new episode, titled “Der lebende Tote,” airs on November 11, 2026, at 20:15 on Das Erste, as swp.de reported.
The search leads Lara to a deactivated paper mill where she uncovers dark secrets, according to ardmediathek.de.
Otto returns from the dead to speak with his daughters, offering his support as supernatural forces push into the real world. Librarian Ingrid Mahler must take up a post in the otherworldly realm known as the Anderwelt to help Magda, while healer Dorothea Freiberg and Professor Rudolf Klein stand by the sisters against dark powers.
Viewing times on Das Erste and ARD Mediathek
Viewers can watch the primetime broadcast on Das Erste on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 20:15, or catch a late-night repeat on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 00:45, according to swp.de. The episode is already available to stream on the ARD Mediathek.
Rosalie Thomass leads the cast in Till Franzen's production
Rosalie Thomass leads the cast as music teacher Lara Glanz. Narges Rashidi plays her sister Greta, and Sven-Eric Bechtolf portrays their returned father, Otto.
The supporting cast features Sabine Vitua as Dorothea Freiberg, Peter Franke as Rudolf Klein, Marita Breuer as Ingrid Mahler, and Max Bretschneider as Joris Schneider. Additional cast members include Ralf Drexler as Thomas Ludwig, Tanja Schleiff as Frau Caspari, Mark Zak as Pfarrer Roman Schläger, and Laurids Schürmann as the 15-year-old Aaron.
Till Franzen directed the episode from a screenplay he co-wrote with Martin Simons. Alina Albrecht served as director of photography, with original music composed by Hannah von Hübbenet and Raphael Schalz.
Locations Around Cologne
The fictional village of Wäldern does not exist on real maps, though the production places its setting between Waldbröl and Wipperfürth. Filming for the project took place from October 9 to December 2, 2025, across Cologne and surrounding areas, including Rösrath, Siegburg, Bergisch Gladbach, the Eifel region, and the Rhein-Sieg-Kreis.
Where to stream and who directed Wäldern Der lebende Tote
Where can I stream Wäldern Der lebende Tote?
The episode is available on the ARD Mediathek platform for on-demand streaming.
Who directed the episode?
Till Franzen directed the production and co-wrote the script with Martin Simons.
When was the episode filmed?
Principal photography took place between October 9 and December 2, 2025, in Cologne and the surrounding region.