Apple TV’s upcoming detective drama has made a major casting announcement. Colin Firth is joining Jack Lowden in the new series based on Philip Kerr’s bestselling Berlin Noir novels. The show is currently filming in Berlin and brings together an award-winning team of actors and creators.
Firth will play Paul Lohser, a brilliant but difficult murder detective with the Berlin Police. He becomes the partner and unlikely mentor to Lowden’s character, Bernie Gunther. This partnership is at the heart of the new series.
What the New Apple TV Series Is About
The series is an adaptation of the novel Metropolis, which is part of the 14-book Berlin Noir series. It tells the origin story of detective Bernie Gunther. The story is set in 1928 Berlin, a city described as having “unprecedented freedom and dizzying turbulence”.
Bernie Gunther is a police officer newly promoted to the elite Berlin Murder Squad. His first major case involves investigating what appears to be a serial killer targeting victims on the margins of society. The political climate is tense, with the Nazis described as “a distant nightmare waiting in the wings”.
Bernie’s Berlin is a city of unprecedented freedom and dizzying turbulence, the Nazis just a distant nightmare waiting in the wings. With the political and social world shifting to a new norm, we see Bernie fighting for truth, whatever the cost.
There are 14 Bernie Gunther novels in total, which are bestsellers in the U.S. and the UK. The final book, Metropolis, was completed shortly before author Philip Kerr’s death in 2018. Interestingly, it serves as both the first and last novel in the series because it tells the detective’s origin story.
The Dynamic Between the Two Lead Characters
The series will focus on the dynamic between the two lead characters. Jack Lowden’s Bernie Gunther is the newcomer to the Murder Squad, eager but inexperienced. Colin Firth’s Paul Lohser is his complete opposite—described as “meticulous, anti-social and well-educated”.
Lohser is everything Bernie isn’t, yet he becomes Bernie’s “best and only hope of catching the killer”. This pairing of a seasoned, prickly detective with a determined rookie forms the core relationship of the show. Their collaboration will be central to solving the complex serial killer case.
Behind the Scenes of the Production
The series boasts impressive credentials behind the camera. The adaptation is written by Oscar winner Peter Straughan, known for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Conclave. This marks a reunion for Straughan and Firth, who worked together on the 2011 film Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
The director is Tom Shankland, who has directed episodes of Netflix’s House of Guinness and the BAFTA-nominated drama The Missing. Shankland also serves as an executive producer on the series.
The production companies involved are Bad Wolf—known for Doctor Who and His Dark Materials—and PlayTone, the company founded by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman. Both Hanks and Goetzman are executive producers on the project. Jane Tranter, Dan McCulloch, and Ryan Rasmussen executive produce for Bad Wolf.
Philip Kerr’s widow, novelist Jane Thynne, owns the copyright to the Bernie Gunther novels and serves as a consulting producer on the series. This ensures the adaptation remains faithful to the source material.
Jack Lowden’s Role and Connection to Apple TV
Jack Lowden was announced as the lead for the series back in July 2025. He is best known for playing River Cartwright in Apple TV’s successful spy series Slow Horses. His role in Slow Horses has earned him an Emmy nomination and established his relationship with Apple TV.
Lowden’s casting in this new detective series is seen by some as positioning him for another major Apple TV role. Slow Horses has been renewed through season seven, but this new project gives him a leading part in a separate franchise.
Colin Firth’s Upcoming Projects and Career
For Colin Firth, this role adds to an already busy schedule. The Oscar-winning actor will next be seen in Prime Video’s Young Sherlock series, premiering March 4, 2026. He also stars in Steven Spielberg’s upcoming UFO movie Disclosure Day and will reprise his role as Harry Hart in Matthew Vaughn’s Kingsman: The Blue Bloods.
Firth won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in The King’s Speech. He is also widely known for playing Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice and Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones’s Diary. His involvement in the Berlin Noir series adds considerable star power to the production.
Filming Status and Expected Release
The untitled series is currently filming in Berlin. Production is underway as of February 2026. While no official release date has been announced, industry speculation suggests the show could arrive on Apple TV+ in late 2026 at the earliest.
The series will be available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions. As with all Apple TV+ content, it will require a subscription to the service.
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The Significance of the Berlin Setting
The 1928 Berlin setting is crucial to the story. This was a period of significant political and social change in Germany. The series explores this “city of unprecedented freedom and dizzying turbulence” just before the rise of the Nazi regime.
This historical context adds depth to the detective story, placing the criminal investigation against a backdrop of brewing political tension. The show promises to be more than just a crime drama—it’s also a period piece that captures a specific moment in history.
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