22/06/2023 - Based on Romy Hausmann’s novel, Isabel Kleefeld and Julian Pörksen’s six-part show sees three characters living in a highly secure house, completely cut off from the rest of the world

l-r: Kim Riedle, Sammy Schrein and Naila Schuberth in Dear Child (© Netflix)

Last week, Netflix announced a new six-episode psychological-thriller series, titled Dear Child. The show, based on Romy Hausmann’s best-selling novel of the same name, revolves around Lena and children Hannah and Jonathan, who live in a highly secure house, completely isolated from the rest of the world. “They eat their meals, use the bathroom and go to bed according to a strict schedule. As soon as he [their captor] enters the room, they line up and present their hands. They do everything he says. Until Lena manages to escape. After a car accident leaves her severely injured, she is taken to hospital with Hannah at her side,” reads the series’ synopsis.

“Dear Child begins where other thrillers end: with salvation. The true extent of this nightmare is revealed that night, when Lena’s parents arrive after spending 13 years frantically searching for their daughter,” the official press release further explains.

The series’ head writer is Isabel Kleefeld (the TV movies Sugarlove and Dreiraumwohnung), who also serves as the director along with Julian Pörksen (the series Tilo Neumann and the Universe, Whatever Happens Next [+see also:
trailer
film profile]).

The project is being lensed by DoPs Martin Langer and Alexander Fischerkoesen, whilst Renata Salazar Ivancan and Christoph Cepok are in charge of the editing. The score comes courtesy of Gustavo Santaolalla and Juan Luqui.

The confirmed cast members are Justus von Dohnányi, Julika Jenkins, Kim Riedle, Naila Schuberth, Sammy Schrein, Hans Löw, Haley Louise Jones, Justus von Dohnányi, Julika Jenkins, Birge Schade, Christian Beermann, Seraphina Maria Schweiger, Özgür Karadeniz and Jeanne Goursaud.

Dear Child is being produced by Tom Spiess and Friederich Oetker for Germany’s Constantin Television. It will be released exclusively on Netflix on 7 September.