Drops of God
What happens: The mysterious Alexandre Léger, a wealthy wine connoisseur and collector, dies unexpectedly in Tokyo at the age of only 60. And only two people are eligible as heirs: his top student, Issei Tomine, and his French daughter, Camille, with whom he had no contact. But Léger proves to be a complicated man after death: whoever can solve a hyper-difficult blind wine tasting will inherit. Camille and Issei don’t come into this situation lightly, in fact they have already survived a complicated family life.
Secret Star: President Macron once complained that less wine is drunk in France, especially at lunchtime there is only water. After this series, that could change.
Not suitable for: Preachers against the vice of alcohol. Nils Minkmar
Eight episodes, on Apple TV.
The Passport, final season
As one looks into the forest, he also looks back: Nicholas Ofczarek as Gedeon Winter.
(Photo: Hendrik Heiden/Sky Germany)
What happens: Ellie Stocker (Julia Jentsch) is convinced that her Austrian colleague Gedeon Winter (Nicholas Ofczarek) made evidence disappear against the real estate dynasty Gösser – responsible for the death of her young colleague Yella Antic. The two go into the new case as opponents, but also as professionals. However, the truth is that Winter – plagued by pain, hallucinations and memories – is pursuing a mission of his own the whole time: he is trying his best to find a man who painted boys. It’s getting dark and there are eyes out of the forest, it’s the final season. Only Stocker walks through this forest as if nothing could happen to her.
Secret Star: The Jockel, a legendary but possibly not only good man from the time of the burning of the witches, who may still be there, in the forest.
Not suitable for: Jealous fans of Hermann Nitsch, who think that only he was allowed to make a bloody mess. Claudia Tieschky
Eight episodes on Sky.
Mapa, second season
Somehow the two manage it: Metin (Max Mauff) and daughter Lene (Pola Friedrichs).
(Photo: rbb/Carolin Weinkopf)
What happens: After the death of his wife and the fall into deepest sadness, moaning and world-weariness, Metin Müller is lost. And again, the actually tragic, but often strangely funny story about a man who is trying to find his way back to life, although he is in the middle of it because he has to take care of his little daughter, works. The gruff, implacable tone of the first season is joined by a new tone that accompanies Metin’s longings for a new love, or at least for reasonably regular sex again, with hope and humor.
Secret star: Main actor Max Mauff as Schluffi in his grumpiness and despondency, his resentment and his kindness. Without him, the egg dance between bad mood and cheerful despair would not work out.
Not suitable for: Anyone who thinks that mothers and sons must always be of one heart and soul. Harold Hordych
Six episodes in the ARD media library.
White House Plumbers
Justin Theroux and Woody Harrelson act at Clouseau level.
(Photo: HBO/Sky)
What happens: The story of how a couple of men break into the headquarters of the US Democratic Party, the Watergate building, June 1972 and are caught – and how it eventually leads to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. It starts out sloppy as the lads (led by Woody Harrelson as Howard Hunt and Justin Theroux as G. Gordon Liddy) act at Clouseau level, only to get sad-tragic when they end up in jail while the senior officials who they had hired escape unscathed.
Secret Star: Lena Headey as Hunt’s wife, Dorothy, who really brings class to all the stuffiness.
Not suitable for: All on one heist movie hope to see a film about a spectacular heist with cleverly elegant twists. Fritz Goettler
Five episodes on Sky.
Juan Carlos – love, money, betrayal
Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein in the documentary about Juan Carlos.
(Photo: Sky Deutschland AG and Sky Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG)
What happens: The series dissects the misconduct of the former Spanish king Juan Carlos I. It’s about allegations of corruption, investigations into money laundering, secret service operations – and again and again about the former lover of the old king, Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein. What she and other former companions of the king have to tell takes your breath away and sometimes makes you doubt justice.
Secret Star: Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein knows how to present herself not so secretly, but quite offensively. During phases of the series, she becomes a figure of identification for viewers – before she, too, shows a different face.
Not suitable for: People looking for escapism – this is bitter reality. Karin Janker
Four episodes on Sky.