July 17, 2026, 1:41 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
ZDF is bidding farewell to one of its most well-known crime series. The broadcaster has announced the end of “Ein Fall für zwei.” Before the series concludes, four more episodes will be aired. These will form the final season of the format. Subsequently, ZDF plans a 90-minute feature film to wrap up the storyline. The series has existed with various casts since 1981.
The current episodes focus on Wanja Mues as private detective Leo Oswald and Antoine Monot as attorney Benni Hornberg. The two characters work closely together, solving cases where Oswald investigates on behalf of the lawyer. The results of their investigations regularly surprise prosecutor Claudia Strauss, played by Bettina Zimmermann.
Twelfth Season Starts in September
Before the final end, the penultimate season is set to air. The twelfth season of the current team is scheduled to run on ZDF in September. Since 2014, Mues and Monot have been working together on the series. The 13th season, which will bid farewell to the format, will follow next year.
ZDF explains the decision with the future direction of its Friday crime series. In a statement, it says: “‘Ein Fall für zwei’ has significantly shaped the ZDF Friday crime series for more than four decades and accompanied generations of viewers. The decision to end the series is all the more difficult after careful consideration.” At the same time, the broadcaster emphasizes that the Friday crime series will continue with a stronger focus on fewer series.
Lead Actors Comment on the End
The two lead actors have also commented on the decision. Wanja Mues said: “A major chapter of German television history is coming to an end. I feel sorry for the many millions of loyal fans who have regularly joined us on Friday evenings.”
Antoine Monot, on the other hand, is already looking forward to the remaining projects. He explains: “Our very own ‘Case for Mues and Monot’ is far from over: We are performing together with the live radio play Father Brown on stage and will be filming the 90-minute ‘Ein Fall für zwei’ in 2027, which will then be broadcast as a conclusion on ZDF. We are looking forward to it.”
Disney+ and ZDF Are Now Partners – What This Means for Users
These Are the 10 Longest-Running TV Series Still Airing
The Series’ History Dates Back to 1981
The first episode of “Ein Fall für zwei” aired on September 11, 1981. In the debut episode “The Big Sister,” the later series character Josef Matula initially appeared as a Frankfurt police officer. There, he first met attorney Dieter Renz.
Josef Matula developed into the defining character of the series over the years. Claus Theo Gärtner portrayed the investigator for more than three decades. While the attorneys in the series changed several times, Matula remained the central figure for many years. With the actor’s departure after 300 episodes in 2013, an important phase of the series’ history ended.
Also of interest: Netflix tests free trial subscription in Germany
Restart with a New Team
In 2014, ZDF brought the format back in a new form. Although the title remained, the broadcaster referred to it as a “completely new series” at the time. From May 2014 to July 2026, a total of 46 episodes were produced with Antoine Monot and Wanja Mues in the lead roles.
The ZDF Friday crime series has previously included series such as “Der Kommissar,” “Derrick,” “Siska,” and “Der Staatsanwalt.” The long-running format “Der Alte,” set in Munich since 1977, continues to air. Since 2012, “Die Chefin” has also been part of the lineup. In early 2026, another crime series, “Mordufer,” was added. According to ZDF, it is intended to complement the predominantly urban crime offerings with a more rural setting.