ZDF Studios starts global distribution of the three-part series ‘Ku'damm 77’
Shooting starts for the 4th season of the UFA Fiction production in Berlin
Mainz, 17 February 2025
Following the huge success of the first three seasons of 'Ku'damm 56', 'Ku'damm 59' and 'Ku'damm 63', the family saga continues at the 'Galant' dance school on Kurfürstendamm: shooting has begun in Berlin and the surrounding area on the historic ZDF three-part mini-series 'Ku'damm 77'. ZDF Studios will handle worldwide distribution.
Creative producer and author Annette Hess wrote the scripts. Directed by Maurice Hübner, the new three-part series also stars Sonja Gerhardt, Claudia Michelsen, Maria Ehrich, Emilia Schüle, Sabin Tambrea, August Wittgenstein and others. New to the cast are Carlotta Bähre, Marie Louise Albertine Becker, Massiamy Diaby, Florian Stetter, Aziz Dyab and many more..
The family saga about the Schöllack dance school depicts a family history over the course of decades and was a ratings hit on linear television, on social media platforms and in media libraries. The previous three-part series have also been very successful internationally: the story of the Schöllack family has captivated viewers in more than 30 countries in Asia, Australia, Africa, the Americas and, above all, Europe. The series was also nominated for an iEmmy.
‘Ku'damm 77’ continues the family story in Berlin in 1977. The apartment above the dance school now accommodates three generations: sisters Monika (Sonja Gerhardt) and Helga (Maria Ehrich), their almost adult daughters Dorli (Carlotta Bähre) and Friederike (Marie Louise Albertine Becker), and their mother and grandmother Caterina (Claudia Michelsen). Only Eva (Emilia Schüle), the third sister, is still ‘abroad’ for a long time, as her stay in prison is described.
The women's life together is turbulent, with fierce arguments followed by passionate reconciliations. Monika focuses entirely on her daughter Dorli's dance career, but when Dorli can no longer cope with the pressure of being a professional dancer, the symbiosis between mother and daughter begins to crumble. Monika rediscovers her own love of music through street musician Sharif (Aziz Dyab), and her encounter with Friederike's teacher Robert Beck (Sabin Tambrea) also opens up a new chapter for her in terms of men. Although her mother Caterina claims not to interfere anymore, she is the éminence grise of the family and dance school, even though Helga is officially in charge of the business. She has closed herself off from much of what is going on inside the family after Wolfgang (August Wittgenstein) left for the East, and seeks solace in alcohol and in the Dahlem dentist Hannes (Florian Stetter). Daughter Friederike (Marie Louise Albertine Becker) views the new love with scepticism and keeps a watchful eye on her mother. When Eva (Emilia Schüle) is released from prison after 14 years, she finds it difficult to find a job. But when she is able to help the family out of a dilemma, the balance of power shifts. The family events are accompanied by the young journalist Linda Müller (Massiamy Diaby), who is making a documentary for a television station about the traditional company ‘Galant’ – although she is also pursuing a very personal agenda.
There is dancing, singing, discussion and laughter. It's about old loves, toxic relationships, grief, cutting the cord and self-determination. It's about letting go and finding yourself anew. Each of the Schöllack women has to ask herself: Where do I come from? Where do I want to go? And who am I anyway?
Sebastian Krekeler, Deputy Head of Drama at ZDF Studios: 'We are delighted that our successful series 'Ku'damm' is being taken into a new era. The exciting and entertaining family saga is told for all generations and genders. In 'Ku'damm77' we now experience the pulsating life of the divided city of Berlin in the seventies, an era full of colour and contrast.'
‘Ku'damm 77’ is an UFA FICTION production on behalf of ZDF. The producers are Marc Lepetit, Nico Hofmann and Markus Brunnemann. The commissioning editors at ZDF are Heike Hempel, Bastian Wagner and Beate Bramstedt. Filming in Berlin is expected to last until the end of April 2025. A broadcast date has not yet been set.
---
About ZDF Studios
ZDF Studios is a commercial subsidiary of ZDF, one of the largest TV broadcasters in Europe. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Mainz, Germany, the ZDF Studios Group operates more than 30 direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates in Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom spanning TV production, distribution and services. The parent company, ZDF Studios, is responsible for global programme distribution, realisation of international co-productions, acquisition of licences and merchandising of successful programme brands under its own name, for ZDF and third parties. ZDF Studios has the largest German-language programme inventory in the world and a constantly growing range of international productions, consisting of series and mini-series, television films, documentaries and children's programmes.
The companies of the ZDF Studios Group cover the entire value chain from the development of scripted and unscripted TV content to production, marketing and monetizing, including TV and streaming licences as well as merchandising and online rights. The positioning of ZDF Studios as an integrated media company enables the development of innovative, outstanding and high-quality programmes and makes the Group an attractive workplace for German and international talent to flourish in a very inspiring and creative environment.
Contact ZDF Studios
Christine Denilauler (VP Marketing and Corporate Communications), ZDF Studios GmbH, Erich-Dombrowski-Str. 1, D-55127 Mainz/Germany, Tel.: +49 6131-9911130, E-mail: christine.denilauler@zdf-studios.com, www.zdf-studios.com