Picture Credit: Netflix
With The Empress set to take its final bow with its third and final season later this year, Netflix is already hard at work finding its next big historical hit. If you’ve been worrying about a period drama-sized hole in your watch list, fear not—Netflix has officially started production on Dolly, a brand new six-part German period mystery that looks ready to fill that void.
Hailing from BetaBerlin Productions GmbH (in cooperation with Candy Shop GmbH), Dolly (which is currently a working title) promises a gritty, thrilling look at late 19th-century Germany. But perhaps the most exciting news is who is behind the camera. The series is being spearheaded by Hanno Hackfort, Richard Kropf, and Bob Konrad—collectively known as HaRiBo—the creative powerhouse behind Netflix’s smash-hit assassin thriller, Kleo, which ran for two seasons.
Here’s everything you need to know about Dolly and why it should be on every period drama fan’s radar.
What is the plot of Dolly?
Moving away from the royal courts of Austria and into the dark, cobbled streets of 1899 Berlin, Dolly trades palace intrigue for a high-stakes historical murder mystery that sounds like a mix between late 19th-century aesthetics and true-crime-esque suspense (think The Alienist or Vienna Blood).
Here is the official logline for the new series:
“Berlin, 1899: When the rebellious Dolly Pinkus narrowly escapes a serial killer and the authorities fail to act, she takes the investigation into her own hands. Together with her best friend Mieze and young police inspector Carl, she embarks on a dangerous hunt for the perpetrator.”
Who is behind the series?
As mentioned, the series is created and showrun by Hanno Hackfort, Richard Kropf, and Bob Konrad (HaRiBo). They also serve as the primary screenwriters alongside Malina Nwabuonwor.
Directing the six-part series are Isabel Braak and Mia Spengler.
Because this is a period drama, the production and costume design are paramount to bringing 1899 Berlin to life. Isabel von Forster is handling Production Design, while Gabriela Reumer takes on Costume Design. Hair and Make-Up will be led by Uta Spikermann and Grit Kosse.
Executive producers for the project are Jan Wünschmann and Jörg Engels, with Malin Krüger serving as Producer.
Who is in the cast of Dolly?
Netflix has announced a stellar ensemble cast for the new German series. While exact character names (outside of Dolly, Mieze, and Carl) haven’t been fully matched to the actors just yet, the confirmed cast list (along with some of their previous acting credits) includes:
- Derya Akyol (Euphorie, Die Zweiflers)
- Samirah Breuer (The Gryphon, Die Discounter)
- Sean Douglas (Heimsuchung)
- Max Hubacher (The Captain, Mario)
- Merlin Rose (The Empress, Dark)
- Béla Kampschulte (Die Bergretter, Nighties)
- Karolina Lodyga (4 Blocks, Anna und die Liebe)
- Andreas Lust (Revanche, The Robber)
- Maria Matschke Engel (Frier und Fünfzig, Heimsuchung)
- Odine Johne (Agnes, The Wave)
- Jerry Kwarteng (Zero Chill, Foundation)
What is the production status of Dolly?
Cameras are officially rolling! Netflix confirmed on August 31, 2026, that production is currently underway.
The team has already successfully wrapped a major shooting block in Görlitz, a town renowned for its stunning, well-preserved historic center, which served as the perfect backdrop for the show’s late 19th-century setting. With the Görlitz block complete, the production team has now moved to the Berlin-Brandenburg region, where filming will continue through the winter.
Given the winter filming schedule and the extensive post-production required for period pieces, we likely won’t see Dolly hit our screens until late 2027. For more on what’s coming up in the world of corsets, carriages, and historical intrigue, check out our full guide to the period dramas coming to Netflix in 2026 and beyond. We’ve also got more on Netflix’s German slate of new movies and series here.
Are you excited to check out Dolly when it drops on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!
