Netflix and Gaumont Germany have made history with their new spy thriller Unfamiliar. The series, which dropped on February 5, 2026, is the first fictional television production ever granted permission to shoot inside the real Berlin headquarters of the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) —Germany’s federal foreign intelligence service.
Sabine de Mardt, the head of Gaumont Germany, confirmed that the production team worked directly with the BND’s communications staff to make the location filming happen. The approval process involved strict security protocols and careful coordination, but the result gives viewers something rarely seen: authentic espionage atmosphere captured inside an actual working intelligence agency.
The six-episode series immediately climbed to the number one spot on Netflix’s global non-English TV chart. It is now streaming in over 190 countries.
What ‘Unfamiliar’ Is Really About
Unfamiliar follows Meret (Susanne Wolff) and Simon Schäfer (Felix Kramer), two former top agents who now run a secret safe house in Berlin. They live under fake identities with their teenage daughter Nina (Maja Bons), trying to leave their dangerous past behind. But their quiet life shatters when a badly wounded man shows up at their door. He was sent by Josef Koleev (Samuel Finzi), a feared Russian intelligence officer who has been tracking them for years.
The man’s appearance forces Simon and Meret to face a disastrous Belarus mission from 16 years ago—the reason they left the service. Now assassins, Russian agents, the BND, and even former lovers are hunting them. The couple must fight to survive while also protecting the lies they have built their entire marriage and family upon.
British writer Paul Coates (known for Emmerdale and Red Election) created the show. He explained that the title Unfamiliar contains two hidden meanings: it sounds like “family,” and it also holds the word “liar.”
“I was always fascinated by difficult family dynamics. That is where the real drama lives,” Coates said in a press statement shared by Gaumont.
Why Filming at the BND Headquarters Matters
Sabine de Mardt told Deadline that securing permission to film at the BND headquarters in Berlin-Mitte was a major achievement. The building is a high-security government zone. No fictional series had ever been allowed to shoot there before.
“Unfamiliar became the first fictional series to film selected scenes at the BND’s headquarters in Berlin,” de Mardt explained. “The preparation required careful planning and close coordination, but the location brings a distinctive visual authenticity that would be difficult to replicate elsewhere.”
The crew did not just use the building as a backdrop. They consulted with BND communication officers to better understand how the agency operates. The intelligence service gave the team insights into daily workflows and the topic of false identities—core elements of the show’s plot.
Full Cast and Characters
Susanne Wolff and Felix Kramer lead the series as the troubled spy couple. Both are respected German character actors. Kramer is known to international audiences from Dogs of Berlin, while Wolff received critical praise for the film Styx.
The supporting cast includes several familiar faces:
- Samuel Finzi as Josef Koleev, the ruthless Russian officer
- Andreas Pietschmann (from Dark and 1899) in a key supporting role
- Henry Hübchen, a legendary German actor
- Seyneb Saleh, Laurence Rupp, Genija Rykova, and Sina Martens
- Aaron Altaras and Anand Batbileg Chuluunbaatar
Lennart Ruff served as lead director, with Philipp Leinemann also directing episodes. Andreas Bareiss produced for Gaumont Germany. Jessica Jones composed the score.
Where It Was Shot: Real Berlin Landmarks
Production took place entirely in Berlin during the fall of 2024, under the working title Bone Palace. The Cinemaholic confirmed that principal photography started on October 17, 2024, and wrapped by late November.
Beyond the BND headquarters at Chausseestraße 96, the crew filmed at several recognizable Berlin locations:
- The NAG Building in Schöneweide (Ostendstraße 1–8), which doubles as a setting for Koleev’s political meetings
- Oberbaum Bridge, the iconic double-deck bridge connecting Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg
- Washingtonplatz, with the famous Cube Berlin building visible in the background
- Various streets and squares across the city to establish the Berlin atmosphere
Release and Streaming Information
Netflix released all six episodes of Unfamiliar globally on February 5, 2026. Each episode runs between 45 and 60 minutes.
Viewers in different regions can watch the series with these audio and subtitle options:
- USA and UK: German original with English subtitles or English dubbing
- Canada: German original with English or French subtitles
- Australia: German original with English subtitles
- India: German original with English, Hindi, and Tamil subtitles
- Global: Available in all regions where Netflix operates, with multiple language options
The show carries a TV-MA rating (FSK 16 in Germany) for violence, language, and adult situations.
Audience Response So Far
Unfamiliar currently holds a 6.3 out of 10 rating on IMDb, based on thousands of user votes. The score reflects a solid but measured response. Many reviews praise the lead performances and the authentic Berlin atmosphere. Some viewers noted that the pacing is slower than typical action spy thrillers, focusing more on emotional tension and marriage conflicts than on constant gunfights.
The series sits at the top of Netflix’s Global Top 10 for non-English TV shows as of mid-February 2026. German media outlets have compared its potential to earlier Netflix successes like Dark and Kleo.
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Gaumont’s Next Projects: Heidi and The Wandering Harlot
Following the release of Unfamiliar, Gaumont Germany is moving forward with two major literary adaptations. Sabine de Mardt confirmed that filming on a new Heidi series starts in April 2026. This version presents Heidi as a 12-year-old in a coming-of-age story. The show is produced for Switzerland’s SRF and German streamer RTL+, with a planned release in 2027.
The company is also developing an updated adaptation of The Wandering Harlot, based on the novel by Iny Lorentz. Francesca Forristal and KT Roberts are writing the adaptation. Filming is expected to take place in Bavaria.
Also Read: Lead Children Finale Recap: How Jolanta’s Protest and Heartbreak Led to a Hard-Fought Win on Netflix
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