In this lineup, Berlin takes center stage. Top streaming productions like Unfamiliar, Call My Agent! – Berlin, Babylon Berlin, Queen of Tears, Dogs of Berlin, and You Are Wanted showcase the city's allure. Beyond its vibrant underground scene, Berlin’s rich history is also brought to life in gripping dramas such as Charité and Hotel Adlon. Additionally, many U.S. productions select Berlin as the backdrop for high-stakes thrillers, further cementing its reputation as a dynamic storytelling hub.
Tip 1: Unfamiliar
It’s no surprise that this six-part spy thriller, which has been streaming on Netflix since February 2026, has stormed the charts in over 35 countries: a brilliant blend of hard-hitting action and psychological marital drama. And Berlin provides the perfect backdrop for it. Like almost no other European metropolis, today’s capital is shaped by the tensions between East and West and therefore serves as the perfect setting where secret services, diplomacy and personal stories intertwine. Filming locations include the Oberbaum Bridge, the Wannsee lido, the Clipper Boardinghouse on Gendarmenmarkt, the BND headquarters on Chausseestraße, the Central Bus Station, the NAG building (Peter Behrens building) at Ostendstraße 1–8 in Treptow-Köpenick, and the iconic ICC.
Unfamiliar is available to watch on Netflix.
Tip 2: Babylon Berlin – award-winning storytelling
With a production budget of €40 million for the first two seasons alone, Babylon Berlin proved to be a worthwhile investment. The adaptation of Volker Kutscher's historical thriller has been a global success, selling to over 90 countries and earning prestigious awards, including the German Television Award and the Grimme Prize. Streaming on ARD Mediathek, the first four seasons follow Detective Inspector Gereon Rath and Charlotte Ritter, who rises through the ranks to become a homicide assistant. This time, they must unravel the mysterious death of a famous actress in Babelsberg—but was it murder?
Babylon seht ihr aktuell in der ARD Mediathek.
Tip 3: Call My Agent! – Berlin
Anyone who loved the French original Dix pour cent simply can’t miss the German adaptation. Call My Agent! – Berlin is far more than just a copycat; it’s a wonderfully biting declaration of love to the German film industry, which doesn’t take itself too seriously. Superstars such as Moritz Bleibtreu, Iris Berben, Heike Makatsch and many, many more play exaggerated versions of themselves. The series revolves around the Stern agency, which is on the brink of bankruptcy following the death of its founder and must secure new talent in a very short space of time. And so the who’s who of German celebrities strolls through the corridors, whilst the agents fight for their clients behind the scenes using every trick in the book. Apart from a few exterior shots in Berlin, such as around Kurfürstendamm and Karl-Marx-Allee, the first season of Call My Agent Berlin was filmed primarily at Studio Babelsberg.
"Call My Agent! – Berlin" is broadcast on Disney.
Tip 4: Queen of Tears – romantic filming locations in Berlin
In Queen of Tears, the heiress of a luxury department store, Hong Hae-in, and her husband, Baek Hyun-woo, who comes from a humble farming background, get a second chance at love. Fans of this hit 2024 South Korean drama can look forward to stunningly romantic filming locations in Berlin. Iconic spots featured in the series include the Neptune Fountain, Berlin Cathedral, James-Simon-Park with its picturesque view of Museum Island, the rooftop terrace of Hotel de Rome, the historic St. Matthew’s Churchyard, and the majestic Sanssouci Palace.
Watch Queen of Tears on Netflix.
Tip 5: Beat – a gritty thriller set in Berlin’s club scene
Set against the pulsating backdrop of Berlin’s legendary nightlife, Beat dives deep into the city’s underground club scene—where crime lurks behind the glittering facade. The story follows club promoter Robert Schlag, known as "Beat," who is recruited by the European secret service to dismantle a dangerous organ trafficking ring.
Despite winning the prestigious Grimme Prize in 2019, Beat was not renewed for a second season, leaving many fans disappointed. However, there’s a silver lining: the gripping espionage series Deutschland 83 and Deutschland 86, centered around GDR spy Martin Rauch, continue with Deutschland 89.
Beat is available to watch on Amazon.
E-Werk – Berlin’s club scene buzzing with energy
Tip 6: Ku'Damm 56 – a story of rebellion and tradition in 1950s Berlin
Set in 1950s Berlin, Ku'Damm 56 tells the compelling story of a conservative mother, her three daughters on the brink of adulthood, and their family-run dance school, Galant. While the sisters yearn for independence and self-determination, societal norms and their mother’s expectations urge them to uphold tradition.
The story continues in Ku'Damm 59, where the sisters are now grown women, navigating the challenges of love, ambition, and societal change. The series not only captures the tension between tradition and modernity but also offers a nostalgic glimpse into Berlin’s post-war era.There are now four series of the show, dating back to 1977.
Ku'Damm is available to watch in the ZDF media library.
Step Back in Time on Kurfürstendamm: A stroll down Kurfürstendamm—Berlin’s famous shopping boulevard—reveals stunning architectural gems from the era, including charming historic kiosks, transporting visitors back to the world of Ku'Damm 56.
Tip 7: Charité – a medical drama interwoven with Berlin’s history
The acclaimed historical series “Charité” transports you into the future with its fourth series. In the sweltering heat of midsummer 2049, a new healthcare reform divides society, whilst a new microbiome is being investigated at the Charité. Although filming for this science fiction season took place mainly in Lisbon, the Charité remains the linchpin of the plot as a centre of excellence for medicine and research.
The three previous seasons directly link everyday life in the hospital to the history of Berlin. The first season focuses on medical advances at the end of the 19th century. At that time, luminaries such as Robert Koch, Rudolph Virchow, Emil Behring and Paul Ehrlich were conducting research at the Charité. Season two is set during the Nazi era and features, amongst others, the famous surgeon Ferdinand Sauerbruch. And in the third season, the plot jumps to 1961, the time when the Berlin Wall was built.
You can watch all seasons of Charité in the ARD Mediathek
Tip 8: Berlin, Berlin – from small-town girl to big-city adventures
In episode 1, Lolle moves from the small town of Malente to Berlin to follow her boyfriend. Although the relationship doesn’t last long, Lolle stays in the capital to become a comic artist. Now in its fourth series, the cult ARD show chronicles Lolle’s life. Lolle may no longer be a newcomer to Berlin, but the turbulent events continue to unfold. Now an adult, Lolle finds herself torn between several men, flees as an overwhelmed bride, and is then sentenced to 40 hours of community service at a school. Seen it all already? Then why not take a look at Lolle’s Berlin from above – perhaps from the TV Tower.
Watch Lolle in the ARD media library.
Tip 9: The Adlon – a legendary hotel steeped in history
"What happens in the Adlon, stays in the Adlon"—that was the motto given to the hotel’s bellboys. But the myths and secrets of this legendary establishment were brought to light in the film The Adlon, a sweeping trilogy that spans four generations.
The series masterfully intertwines historical events with fictional drama, chronicling the rise, fall, and rebirth of the iconic hotel. From its founding during the imperial era to the glamour of the 1920s, the devastation of World War II, the division of Berlin, and finally, its grand reopening at the Brandenburg Gate in the 1990s, The Adlon captures the essence of Berlin’s turbulent history.
Tip: The hotel also plays a key role in the 2011 thriller Unknown, adding another layer of mystery to its already fascinating legacy.
Tip 10: The Queen’s Gambit – Berlin as the hidden star of the series
While Berlin isn’t the main setting in The Queen’s Gambit, many key scenes from the Netflix hit were actually filmed in the city. The department store Ben Snyder’s, where Beth Harmon shops with her adoptive mother, is in reality Humana am Frankfurter Tor. Her first major chess tournament, set at Henry Clay High School in Kentucky, was filmed at Max Taut School in Berlin-Rummelsburg.
Several international locations were also cleverly recreated in Berlin. The Parisian café-restaurant is actually in the Bode Museum, the Moscow hotel façade is found on Karl-Marx-Allee, and the Aztec Palace Hotel in Mexico was filmed in the foyer of Friedrichstadt-Palast. Even Beth’s orphanage, where she’s placed after her mother’s death, is not far—it's Schulzendorf Castle in Brandenburg.
For those wanting to step into the Mariposa Hotel in Las Vegas, the venue for the U.S. Open in episode 3, simply head to the Palais am Funkturm in Berlin.
Tip 11: Classic Berlin series – a nostalgic look at the city’s past
For a journey through Berlin in the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s, these classic TV series offer an authentic glimpse into the city's past:
- Liebling Kreuzberg – Starring Manfred Krug as a charismatic lawyer navigating Berlin’s legal world.
- Praxis Bülowbogen – Featuring Günter Pfitzmann as Dr. Brockmann, a beloved family doctor.
- Drei Damen vom Grill – A cult favorite starring Brigitte Mira as the owner of a snack bar at Nollendorfplatz.
A Must-Watch: Weissensee
Another standout is Weissensee, a gripping drama set in East Berlin during the 1980s. It follows the forbidden love story of Julia and Martin, whose families stand on opposite sides of the political divide. Julia’s mother is an artist and a fierce critic of the regime, while Martin’s father and brother are loyal members of the Stasi, and he himself serves in the People's Police. This stark contrast fuels moments of deep romance, intense drama, and unexpected twists.
More filming locations: Berlin as a global spy and thriller hub
Berlin has become a prime location for Hollywood and international productions, particularly in the espionage and thriller genres.
- Homeland – In the award-winning CIA drama, agent Carrie Mathison seeks a quieter life in Berlin with her husband and child. However, as expected, things quickly spiral out of control.
- Berlin Station – Another gripping CIA series, following analyst Daniel Meyer, who is officially transferred to the agency’s Berlin office but is secretly on a mission to track down a whistleblower.
- Counterpart – Blending espionage with science fiction, this series follows a UN employee in Berlin who accidentally stumbles into a parallel dimension—created by a secret Cold War experiment.
Still craving more Berlin-based stories? Check out these fan-favorites:
- Turkish for Beginners – A lighthearted comedy-drama exploring cultural clashes in Berlin.
- You Are Wanted – Starring Matthias Schweighöfer, this intense thriller follows Lukas Franke, a man whose life unravels after a hacker attack exposes his personal data.
- Dogs of Berlin & 4 Blocks – Two gripping crime series delving into Berlin’s criminal underworld and its powerful clan networks—definitely not for the faint-hearted!
More filming locations in Berlin
