The Passau crime series on Das Erste is getting new episodes. As the network announces, the case "Verlorene Seelen. Ein Krimi aus Passau" will air on Thursday, September 10, starting at 8:15 p.m., followed a week later on September 17 at the same time by "Wer einmal lügt. Ein Krimi aus Passau".
Those who don't want to wait that long will find what they're looking for earlier: Both films will be available in the ARD Mediathek starting Monday, September 7, 2026, and will remain accessible there for one year. The nine cases shown so far are also available there.
The investigation continues as a duo: Former police officer Frederike Bader (Marie Leuenberger, 46) and Austrian private detective Ferdinand Zankl (Michael Ostrowski, 53) continue to work together. Daniel Rübesam (44) directed both films.
Mystery on the "Queen Danubia"
The first case begins at the industrial harbor. There, the excursion ship "Queen Danubia" belonging to a Passau shipping company is anchored, where break-ins keep occurring at night. Zankl is supposed to put an end to the activity and takes over surveillance. An unfortunate fall on the head then puts the private investigator in an awkward position: He claims to have seen a body in the Danube, which immediately sinks again. Did he just imagine the whole thing due to the fall?
Bader is initially skeptical. Until she learns that Hans Lindegger (Martin Weinek), a Viennese captain of a neighboring transport ship, has disappeared. His nephew Lenny (Simon Morzé) has been missing him since that night when another break-in occurred on the "Queen Danubia". The script for "Verlorene Seelen" was written by Michael Vershinin.
A Dead Man in the Antiquarian Bookstore
The second film focuses on Bader's family. Adam Nolan (Raphaël von Bargen), the missing father of Mia Bader (Nadja Sabersky), reappears after many years, right in the middle of Passau. Mia grew up with a heroic story: Her father, a brave journalist, supposedly had to hide from powerful enemies who were after his life. Her mother invented this version.
Because Frederike Bader knows what her ex is capable of and sounds the alarm accordingly. Her concern is quickly confirmed when Mia's father is soon arrested on suspicion of murder. The victim is a bookseller (Gerd Anthoff) who runs an antiquarian bookstore in the old town. The script for "Wer einmal lügt" was written by Vershinin and Robert Hummel.
