The successful German crime series “Donna Leon” tells the story of the dedicated Commissario Guido Brunetti. He knows the dark side of the beautiful city of Venice and takes decisive action against corruption, murder and other crimes, often with the support of Sergente Lorenzo Vianello (Karl Fischer). He often faces opposition from his power-hungry superior Patta (Michael Degen) when his investigations take him back into high political circles.
Commissario Brunetti’s family life also has some exciting stories in store, especially his two children, Raffi and Chiara, who present him with a number of challenges.
“Donna Leon” has been produced very successfully for Das Erste since 2000 and now has 25 aired episodes; the 26th case has already been filmed. The series thrives on an ensemble of top-class actors who have been delighting viewers with their roles for decades. Uwe Kockisch is joined by Julia Jäger as his wife Paola, Annett Renneberg as the tricky Signorina Elettra, Karl Fischer as the loyal companion Sergente Vianello and Michael Degen as the vain superior Patta.
Uwe Kockisch in an interview about Commissario Brunetti’s 25th case:
The content of “Eternal Youth”: Brunetti (Uwe Kockisch) wants to have as little as possible to do with the old-established families. However, even the Commissario cannot refuse the venerable Contessa Lando-Continui (Hildegard Schmahl) a request. The 80-year-old urges him to solve a family tragedy that was covered up 15 years ago. Her granddaughter, who almost drowned in a mysterious fall into the canal, has permanent brain injuries: Manuela (Nadja Bobyleva), now 30 years old, has the mental capacity of a child – and always will! When her former rescuer is stabbed to death, Brunetti finds himself in the middle of a murder case. His investigations do not stop at the family, confidants and business dealings of the powerful Contessa. He wants to find out the whole truth.
About the content of “Still Waters”: While on sick leave on the lagoon island of San Erasmo, Brunetti meets an old man who used to row with his father: the beekeeper Davide Casati (Hermann Beyer). Their budding friendship comes to an abrupt end when Brunetti finds Casati’s body after a storm. The fact that the sea-tested local died in the lagoon of all places gives the Commissario no peace. Brunetti does not want to rule out foul play, as Casati was in dispute with neighboring vegetable farmers whose pesticides were allegedly poisoning his bees. Another clue leads to the past and to an even bigger environmental scandal. In order to solve the mysterious case, Brunetti has himself written up as fit for duty – and puts his health at risk.
The “Donna Leon” films are productions by UFA FICTION on behalf of ARD Degeto for Das Erste. The producer is Benjamin Benedict, executive producer Marc Lepetit. Barbara Süßmann and Katja Kirchen (ARD Degeto) are responsible for editing. Since the third film, the series has been directed by Sigi Rothemund, with Dragan Rogulj responsible for the camera. The striking opening music for the series “Autumn in Venice” was composed by André Rieu.
You can find more information about the “Donna Leon” series at the broadcaster.