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Opinion Piece Criticizes Long-Running German Crime Series Tatort

opinion-review · 2026-03-26

An opinion article in Freitag argues for discontinuing the German television series Tatort after 56 years. The author, born in Colombia and living in Germany for 25 years, expresses confusion about the national fascination with the crime show. The piece references actress Melika Foroutan's recent comments about her role as a Frankfurt Tatort commissioner, made during an interview with Max Czollek for Freitag, shortly after she criticized police violence. The article questions why murder and violence captivate German audiences, suggesting state-critical alternatives might better serve public safety perceptions. It notes the show's Sunday evening ritual and online discussions across platforms like Twitter, BlueSky, and Mastodon.

Key facts

  • The opinion article calls for ending the German TV series Tatort after 56 years.
  • The author is a Colombia-born writer who has lived in Germany for 25 years.
  • Actress Melika Foroutan discussed her Tatort role with Max Czollek in Freitag.
  • Foroutan had previously criticized police violence.
  • The piece questions German fascination with crime narratives and suggests alternatives.

Entities

Artists

  • Melika Foroutan

Institutions

  • Freitag

Locations

  • Germany
  • Colombia
  • Frankfurt

Sources