Act of violence in the village: LKA uncovers dark secret of the Stasi!

Act of violence in the village: LKA uncovers dark secret of the Stasi!

In the captivating crime series “Harter Brocken”, which will broadcast its ninth episode entitled “The Extortion” on December 25, 2025, viewers can expect an exciting piece of German television entertainment. The action takes place in a small village, where the body of a civil servant is found on a railway track between worry and misery. This morbid prelude sets the stage for a series of deadly events that shake the village community.

The curious village police officer Frank Koops, played by Aljoscha Stadelmann, is drawn into the investigation, but the experienced investigator Oliver Mienle, played by André M. Hennicke, tries to keep him away. But Koops quickly senses that something is wrong with Mienle, and a cat-and-mouse game begins that takes place in the shadow of a dark past. Meanwhile, LKA colleague Sabine Berger (Irene Rindje) arrives, who has a political change in mind, which further inflames the situation.

A deeper look into the past

What further complicates the investigation is the connection to a missing retired Stasi employee, Horst Witt, who harbors a dangerous secret from the GDR era in the form of a microfilm. The deeply entrenched espionage activities of the GDR, as they took place in the context of the Cold War, cast a shadow over current events. [Federal Archives] reports that the GDR paid intensive attention to the Federal Republic and specifically collected information about political, economic and security developments.

The agents who were infiltrated in the West often continued their careers undisturbed, which did not make the search for the truth any easier. Even in the 1980s, an estimated 3,000 German citizens spied for the GDR. These worrying facts underscore the emotional weight and pressure under which investigators must work. Another body turns up and suspicion grows: Koops realizes that there can be no witnesses.

The machinations in secret

The interesting plot of “Hard Brocken” is supported by a first-class cast. In addition to Stadelmann and Hennicke, Anna Fischer and Jakob Benkhofer also convince in their roles. The exciting direction by Hanno Olderdissen and the script by Klaus Burck and Michael Knoll round off this captivating TV experience. Viewers can be excited to see what secrets will be revealed and how the story of blackmail and intrigue will continue. The ninth part of the series moves not only linguistically but also thematically in the gray area of ​​guilt and responsibility.

For fans of crime novels and exciting stories from the past, this episode of “Hard Brocken” offers an excellent opportunity to sit back and immerse yourself in the world of secrets and conspiracies that continue to unfold with each piece. The question that remains: Can investigators uncover the truth before it's too late? This is just one of the many loose ends that will keep the viewer hooked until the last minute.

Experience this exciting premiere and immerse yourself in the world of “Harter Brocken”. Further information can be found at ARD Media library and IMDb.