Gaumont Germany Boss On The ‘Barbarians’ Producer’s Netflix Spy Drama ‘Unfamiliar’ & The Challenges Facing Program-Makers

Unfamiliar: Family, Liars, Spies

Unfamiliar dropped on Netflix last week and currently sits atop its roster of most-watched non-English-language shows. Over six episodes, what starts out looking like a twisty spy thriller quickly becomes something more nuanced. The show follows married couple and former agents Meret and Simon Schäfer, played by Susanne Wolff (Styx) and Felix Kramer (Dogs of Berlin). The duo run a secret safe house in Berlin. As we flashback to a past mission-gone-wrong, we realize their couple’s daughter may have an unexpected link to that chapter of their lives. Meanwhile, shady Russian intelligence officer Josef Koleev (Samuel Finzi) is in Berlin and wants them dead.

British writer Paul Coates, a veteran of UK shows including Emmerdale, created the show with Andreas Bareiss the lead producer from Gaumont and Jan Bennemann on point for Netflix. “We were looking for a spy show, like everyone is looking for a spy show, and it’s very entertaining and thrilling, but what I think is very special is that we have such a strong family dynamic,” de Mardt says. “Paul explains it so well: It’s a spy thriller with a family in it – and then it turns to become a family story with spies in.’”

In a troubled world, espionage feels particularly of the moment. “It relates also to an overall feeling we have nowadays where things feel shaky and we don’t know what’s going on,” de Mardt says. “It becomes more current every day.”

Berlin is, of course, historically a real-life hotbed of spies and secret service intrigue so filming scenes at a German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) building added a layer of realism and was also a first, de Mardt explains. “Unfamiliar became the first fictional series to film selected scenes at the BND’s headquarters in Berlin. The preparation required careful planning and close coordination, but the location brings a distinctive visual authenticity that would be difficult to replicate elsewhere.”

It’s no accident that the title Unfamiliar both sounds like ‘family’ and also contains the word ‘liar’. As the series unfolds it becomes clear why these words and themes resonate. No spoilers regarding the finale, but the hope is the show is not one-and-done, de Mardt says. “We have lots of ideas for various seasons…the audience will decide in the end, but I’m confident that they will decide the right way.”

Next Up: Heidi & The Wandering Harlot

With Barbarians and Unfamilar out in the wild, Gaumont’s German division now has two big upcoming adaptations in the works. Filming on Heidi starts in April and a new take on ‘The Wandering Harlot’ is in development.

“We are trying to show a slightly new angle, so that we continue the story,” de Mardt says of its take on Heidi, the much-loved tale of an orphan girl who lives in the Swiss mountains with her grandfather. Over the years, it has spawned a classic 1970s live-action series, a later miniseries, and an animated adaptation. Gaumont’s version is for Switzerland’s SRF and German streamer RTL+. “Our Heidi is a little older, so it has like a slight coming-of-age appeal, because she is 12. Heidi and Peter set off on adventures and the greatest journey within that is growing up, because they have to deal with their feelings and challenges in order to find their place in the world. We are trying to make it modern and embrace contemporary topics.”

Casting news is coming soon on who plays Heidi and the show should bow in 2027, which would mean it lands in conjunction with 200^th anniversary of the birth of Johanna Spyri, the books’ author.

The other literary work Gaumont is bringing to screen is ‘The Wandering Harlot’. Earlier TV movie takes on the Iny Lorentz book, about a 15th century woman who is taken in by a band of prostitutes and seeking revenge on the people who shunned her, was a massive hit on German and Swiss TV. Gaumont’s updated take on the tale is development with broadcaster or streamer partners yet to be revealed. We do know that Francesca Forristal and KT Roberts are adapting the book, with filming expected to take place in Bavaria with the support of local film funds and agencies.

“This is an incredible brand, it’s one of the biggest in Germany,” de Mardt says. “We want to do a modern version of the series that takes into account how times have changed and the perspectives and emancipation of women.”

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