SRF involuntarily outwits Corona with Zurich "Tatort
In the fall, the new Zurich detectives will start their investigations right on time. Other "Tatort" episodes are currently struggling with Corona-related delays.
Are ready: The new "Tatort" actresses Carol Schuler and Anna Pieri Zuercher (from left) will be seen starting in the fall - as planned. (Photo: SRF)
The new "Tatort" season is scheduled to start in September. In addition to the Zurich detective duo Gradjean/Ott, a prominent trio from Bremen will also premiere. In late fall, a double episode will be broadcast to mark the 50th anniversary of the biggest German-language crime series - the first time the teams from Dortmund and Munich have teamed up.
At least that's the plan. The Corona pandemic has brought filming to a standstill in many places. Resuming under strict hygiene regulations is costly and proving difficult. At present, it is far from clear whether all the planned "Tatort" episodes can be broadcast in the fall as planned.
Synergies exploited - Corona outwitted
How the SonntagsZeitung reported in the current issue, at least Swiss TV should have no problem submitting the two Zurich episodes, scheduled for fall 2020 and spring 2021, on time. Both have already been shot. According to SRF film director Urs Fitze, the decision was made to shoot double episodes in order to create synergies. In this case, two episodes are produced with the same team, the same director and in one piece. The decision turned out to be a stroke of luck in retrospect, he said. "For the crew and cast, the relatively long shooting time was a challenge, but today we are all extremely happy about it," Fitze said to the SonntagsZeitung.
The third episode is scheduled to be shot from January 2021 to April 2021. Once again, a double episode is on the schedule.
In the can: Because SRF was already filming in November 2019, Corona's film crew was not affected. (Photo: Sava Hlavacek/SRF)
Filming interruption at ARD
The situation is different for the ARD "Tatort" anniversary episode. Some scenes still have to be shot for the first part, and filming of the second part, which began in March, was abruptly interrupted. ARD hopes to be able to complete the films on time - a resumption scenario is currently being worked out. It is not yet known whether all the fall episodes can be broadcast on time.
It is unclear what the situation is with the new Bremen trio around "Game of Thrones" star Dar Salim. Radio Bremen reports that neither filming nor broadcast dates had to be postponed. So it's quite possible that - despite difficult conditions - the investigations in Bremen will also start on time.
Summer voting shortens the waiting time
Until then, the fans of the series are kept happy with a summer voting for the 50th anniversary. Week by week, they can decide which of the best episodes of the last 20 years they would like to see again. 50 episodes to choose from - including the two Lucerne "Tatort" episodes "Ihr werdet gerichtet" (2015) and "Kleine Prinzen" (2016).
In addition, ARD will broadcast classics from 50 years of "Tatort" on Sundays starting June 26 at 22:15.
