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Aflevering
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Donker

Donker

20178
DramaMisdaadMysterieSci-Fi & Fantasy
Uitgebracht
01 dec 2017
Land
Duitsland
Productie
Wiedemann & Berg Television
Een vermiste kind zet vier families op een wanhopige zoektocht naar antwoorden, terwijl ze een geestverruimend mysterie ontrafelen dat zich uitstrekt over drie generaties.

About

Quick guide

Dark is a German series that intertwines crime, drama and speculative science, following four families in the town of Winden as they hunt a missing child while unraveling a time‑travel mystery.

Set in the seemingly quiet town of Winden, Dark follows the lives of four interconnected families—Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann—as they are drawn into a labyrinth of secrets when a child goes missing. The investigation pulls them back through time, exposing long‑hidden family betrayals and a dangerous wormhole that threatens to alter reality itself. With a moody atmosphere, dense dialogue, and a complex narrative structure, the series weaves elements of crime, mystery, and psychological drama across three seasons, ending on a dramatic, thought‑provoking note.

What to know

  • Three seasons, 26 episodes total
  • Each episode runs 44–73 minutes
  • Original German language; English dub available
  • Strong emphasis on dialogue and investigation scenes
  • Explores time‑travel, family lineage, and fate
  • Atmosphere is dark, tense and suspenseful
  • Some scenes include mild violence and disturbing themes
  • Complex timeline, best viewed in order

Watch if

If you enjoy cerebral shows that combine a tight mystery with complex family dynamics—think of a darker, time‑traveling version of Twin Peaks—then Dark’s slow‑burn intrigue and rich dialogue will keep you hooked season after season.

Skip if

If you prefer light‑hearted or fast‑paced entertainment, or if you’re sensitive to ambiguous endings and intense psychological themes, Dark’s slow pacing and complex, sometimes bleak narrative may feel frustrating.

dark tonedialogue heavyinvestigation heavypsychological elementssuspensefulslow burnsome gorecrime violence
Premise & Setting
Dark’s story opens in 2019 with the disappearance of two children from Winden. The police investigation uncovers a web of secrets across four families, each linked by shared ancestry and hidden motives. The small town’s isolated setting amplifies the tension, while a looming nuclear plant hints at deeper, sinister forces.
Time‑Travel Mechanics
A subterranean wormhole, discovered under the power plant, allows characters to jump 33 years forward or backward. This creates a complex, interwoven timeline where actions in one era ripple across others, forming paradoxes that challenge the characters’ control over destiny.
Character Arcs
From Jonas Kahnwald, who becomes a key time‑traveller, to Ulrich Nielsen’s desperate quest to save his son, each character wrestles with identity and guilt. The show focuses on intimate family dynamics, making each personal story integral to the overarching mystery.
Narrative Style
The series relies heavily on dialogue and investigative scenes, building a slow‑burn atmosphere. It frequently flips between timelines, requiring attentive viewing to track shifting events. The writing keeps viewers guessing, often revealing only fragments of the complete puzzle.
Themes & Motifs
Dark interrogates fate versus free will, the cyclical nature of history, and the psychological toll of secrets. Recurrent motifs—such as the recurring clock, the mysterious church, and the symbol “Sic Mundus Creatus Est”—anchor the narrative’s mythic quality.
Critical Reception
The show earned acclaim for its atmospheric tone, complex storytelling, and strong ensemble. Critics praised its blending of genre conventions and its willingness to sacrifice easy answers for deeper questions.

FAQ

49 Q&A
What is the relationship between Jonas and Martha?
Jonas and Martha are important to each other in different timelines, and they are related in complex ways through time travel.
What is the main story of 'Dark'?
The show is about families in a town called Winden, where time travel and secrets connect them over many years.
Who is Ulrich Nielsen?
Ulrich Nielsen is a police officer in Winden who searches for his missing son.
Is Jonas related to himself?
Yes, Jonas is related to himself because of time travel. He is his own ancestor.
Who is Jonas Kahnwald?
Jonas Kahnwald is a teenager whose father's death starts the mystery in the town of Winden.
What is Noah's goal?
Noah is a time traveler who works for Adam, trying to make a world he believes in by changing events.
Where does 'Dark' take place?
'Dark' takes place in the fictional German town of Winden.
What is the show 'Dark' about?
The show 'Dark' is about the secrets and lies that connect four families in the German town of Winden across different time periods.
Who is Katharina Nielsen?
Katharina Nielsen is the mother of Mikkel and Martha, and the wife of Ulrich. She is the headstrong principal of the Winden school.
Who is Peter Doppler?
Peter Doppler is a therapist and Charlotte's husband. He is the father of Franziska and Elisabeth.
What is the town called in 'Dark'?
The town in 'Dark' is called Winden.
Who is Hannah Kahnwald?
Hannah Kahnwald is Jonas's mother. She has a complicated past and is deeply connected to Ulrich Nielsen.
Who is Noah?
Noah is a mysterious character who travels through time and is involved in the town's secrets.
Who is Charlotte Doppler?
Charlotte Doppler is the police chief in Winden and married to Peter. She is the mother of Franziska and Elisabeth.
Who is Martha Nielsen?
Martha Nielsen is Jonas's love interest and a key figure in the events of the show. She is part of the Nielsen family.
Who is Elisabeth Doppler?
Elisabeth Doppler is Charlotte and Peter's daughter, and Franziska's sister. She plays an important role in the future.
What are the families in 'Dark'?
The main families in 'Dark' are the Kahnwalds, Nielsens, Dopplers, and Tiedemanns.
What does Adam want?
Adam wants to destroy the origin of the world and end the cycle of time to create a new beginning.
How does Mikkel travel in time?
Mikkel travels in time by entering a cave in the Winden forest, which acts as a portal to different years.
Is Adam the same person as Jonas?
Yes, Adam is an older, future version of Jonas.
Who is Franziska Doppler?
Franziska Doppler is Charlotte and Peter's daughter and Elisabeth's sister. She is involved in the town's mysteries.
What does Ulrich do in the past?
In the past, Ulrich Nielsen tries to find his missing son, Mikkel, and gets involved in a murder investigation.
What happens to Mikkel Nielsen?
Mikkel Nielsen gets lost in the Winden forest and travels back in time, where he is adopted and grows up as Michael Kahnwald.
Who is Adam?
Adam is the main antagonist and the older, darker version of Jonas. He is obsessed with controlling time.
Who are the main families in 'Dark'?
The main families in 'Dark' are the Kahnwalds, Nielsens, Dopplers, and Tiedemanns.
When did 'Dark' first air?
'Dark' first aired on December 1, 2017.
What is Eva's role in the story?
Eva is the leader of the survivors in the future world. She is an older version of Martha from another world.
How do the different worlds connect?
The different worlds connect through the cave system, which acts as a passage between them.
How many seasons of 'Dark' are there?
There are three seasons of 'Dark'.
What is the origin of the bootstrap paradox in 'Dark'?
The bootstrap paradox in 'Dark' involves objects or information that have no discernible origin, existing in a perpetual loop. An example is the lighter that Jonas receives.
What is the apocalypse in 'Dark'?
The apocalypse is an event that destroys the world in the year 2020.
Who is Eva?
Eva is an older version of Martha Nielsen from another world. She is the leader of a group trying to break the cycle.
What does the 'tree of life' represent?
The 'tree of life' represents the connection between all worlds and timelines. It is a visual metaphor for the entangled nature of existence in the show.
What language is 'Dark' in?
'Dark' is primarily in German.
What is the origin of the time travel device?
The time travel device was created by H.G. Tannhaus, a watchmaker.
How does the world end in 'Dark'?
The world ends in 'Dark' due to an apocalypse caused by a nuclear power plant meltdown.
When does the apocalypse happen?
The apocalypse happens in the year 2020.
Who invented the time machine?
The time machine was invented by H.G. Tannhaus.
What is the 'tree of life' in 'Dark'?
The 'tree of life' is a symbolic representation of the connections between different timelines and worlds in 'Dark'.
Did 'Dark' win any awards?
'Dark' has won several awards, including the Grimme Award for Fiction and the German Television Award for Best Series.
Who directed 'Dark'?
The series 'Dark' was directed by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese.
What is the 'black matter' in 'Dark'?
'Black matter' in 'Dark' is a key element used for time travel. It is a form of energy that enables travel through time.
What is the 'other world' in 'Dark'?
The 'other world' is a parallel dimension or reality that exists alongside the main world of 'Dark'.
What do the caves do?
The caves in 'Dark' serve as a portal or passage that allows characters to travel between different time periods.
What is the 'red' substance in 'Dark'?
The 'red' substance in 'Dark' is a form of dark matter that is crucial for time travel. It is often seen in the time machine and the caves.
What is the cave in 'Dark'?
The cave in 'Dark' is a location that functions as a gateway, enabling travel through time to different years.
What is the 'Emmy' award?
The Emmy Award is a prestigious award given for excellence in television programming. 'Dark' has not won an Emmy.
What is the 'wormhole' in 'Dark'?
The 'wormhole' in 'Dark' is a term used to describe the phenomenon that allows characters to travel between different points in time, often facilitated by the cave system.
Where was 'Dark' filmed?
'Dark' was filmed in and around Berlin, Germany.

Acteurs

Louis Hofmann
Louis Hofmann
Jonas Kahnwald