This Sunday, March 22, 2026, the German crime series “Tatort” will air a new episode, “Fackel” (Torch), set in Frankfurt am Main. The case delves into events that unfolded years prior, promising a complex investigation for the city’s resident detectives.
The Rise of Cold Case Units in German Crime Drama
“Fackel” features detectives Maryam Azadi and Hamza Kulina, who operate within Frankfurt’s Cold Case unit. This reflects a growing trend in German crime dramas – a focus on revisiting unresolved cases. The shift suggests a public appetite for closure and a narrative exploration of how past events continue to impact the present. The duo took over from Janneke and Brix in Autumn 2025.
The Lingering Impact of Building Safety Scandals
The plot of “Fackel” centers around a high-rise fire that resulted in thirteen fatalities, with suspicions pointing towards faulty construction materials. This storyline taps into real-world anxieties surrounding building safety and potential negligence. Cases involving substandard materials and compromised safety standards have increasingly come under scrutiny in recent years, making this narrative particularly resonant.
Personal Connections Fueling Investigations
The case takes a personal turn for Kommissar Kulina when he encounters his ex-girlfriend, Almila Adak, who lost her mother in the fire. This narrative device – intertwining the detective’s personal life with the investigation – is a common trope in crime dramas, adding emotional depth and raising the stakes. It also highlights the human cost of such tragedies.
The Role of Political Connections in Obstructing Justice
The investigation leads Azadi and Kulina to a building materials manager with political ties, suggesting a potential cover-up. This theme of powerful individuals obstructing justice is a recurring motif in contemporary crime fiction, reflecting concerns about corruption and accountability.
The Cast of “Fackel”
- Edin Hasanovic as Hamza Kulina
- Melika Foroutan as Maryam Azadi
- Seyneb Saleh as Almila Adak
- Judith Engel as Sandra Schatz
- Gordana Boban as Emina Kulina
- Michael Schenk as Christian Möller
- Stephan Luca as Steffen Böttcher
- Katharina Heyer as Simone Böttcher
- Timo Jacobs as Brombach
- Nadja Bobyleva as Andrea Hofer
- Doris Plenert as Frau Gruber
- Atef Vogel as Michael Gruber
- Sithembile Menck as Jasmin Martin
- Petra Friedrich as Ute Jansen
- Barbara Krzoska as Sekretärin von Schatz
- Christian Kuchenbuch as Carsten Dietzel
- Rainer Ewerrien as Lorenz Seifert
- Thomas Höhne as Uwe Niemann
Where to Watch and Upcoming “Tatort” Episodes
“Tatort: Fackel” will air on March 22, 2026, at 8:20 PM on ARD and will be available for streaming in the ARD Mediathek from 7:00 PM on the same day. Further episodes are scheduled for April 5th (“Tatort: Unvergänglich (1)”), April 6th (“Tatort: Unvergänglich (2)”), April 12th (“Tatort: Showtime”) and April 19th (“Tatort: Innere Angelegenheiten”).
What are your thoughts on the increasing focus on cold cases in crime dramas? Share your opinions in the comments below!
