Lisa Vicari, the German star best known for Netflix’s cult science-fiction mystery-thriller “Dark,” is reuniting with the show’s creators Jantje Friese and Baran bo Odar on their next series.
Variety understands that Vicari — currently on screens in the Berlin-set second season of Apple TV’s “Hijack” — will lead the duo’s upcoming HBO Max show based on the 19th century German children’s book “Struwwelpeter.”
First teased last year in the announcement for HBO Max’s launch in Germany (which took place on Jan. 13), the series will transform the 10 gruesome tales from Heinrich Hoffmann’s original 1845 book into a modern thriller, focusing on adult rather than child characters. Produced by Dark Ways, it will follow a federal investigator solving ritual murders inspired by the dark, cautionary stories. The series is described as a “cruel reality” thriller that acts as a family drama exploring themes of punishment and forgiveness.
The first story, after which “Struwwelpeter” (which translates as “Shockheaded Peter”) is named, tells the tale of a dirty and lazy boy who does not groom himself properly, and, as a result, is unloved.
Production on the show is now underway.
Alongside “Dark” and “Hijack,” Vicari is known for her lead role in Oliver Kienle’s “Isi & Ossi,” the Germany romantic comedy in which she starred alongside Dennis Mojen. One of Netflix’s first German films, “Isi & Ossi” was released in 2020. Vicari was also among the lead cast for “Django,” the Sky Atlantic-Canal+ English-language series reimagining of the 1966 Italian film of the same name.
Vicari is repped by 42 in the U.K., Inka Stelljes in Germany and Principal Entertainment in the U.S.
