Shock for fans: Rosenheim cops without Ms. Stockl – who follows Burger?

Shock for fans: Rosenheim cops without Ms. Stockl – who follows Burger?

There are big changes in the world of television crime: Sarah Thonig, Christin Lange, known as the receptionist at the Rosenheim police headquarters, will play the new secretary from the 26th season of the ZDF series “The Rosenheim Cops”. This was officially announced at the beginning of August 2025. She takes on the role of Marisa Burger, who shaped the heart of the series as Miriam Stockl for over 25 years and left a cultural footprint with her striking saying “Es gabat a Leich”. Burger is leaving the series, and with it the face of one of ZDF's most successful crime series, which regularly attracts over five million viewers and is broadcast on Tuesdays after 7 p.m., is changing.

Sarah Thonig expresses her great respect for Burger's performance and emphasizes that the iconic line is strongly associated with the outgoing actress. “It won't be easy to continue this character, but I intend to preserve Ms. Stockl's character traits,” said Thonig in an interview on set. Her new tasks will take her from her previous position at reception to the police headquarters secretariat.

A new beginning for the “Rosenheim Cops”

While Season 25 is already in production and boasts 21 new episodes, there is exciting news for the future. ZDF announces “new dramaturgical possibilities” that will be implemented with great attention to detail and the usual humor of the series. Whether these innovations will convince viewers remains to be seen.

Thonig has been part of the series since 2014 and is considered the logical successor to Burger. She previously worked as a receptionist, but with this new role she will not only have more responsibility, but also gain a further foothold in the “Rosenheim Cops” fan base. There is also speculation about possible successors for other characters, such as Younes Tissinte, who has already acted as a vacation replacement. At the moment, ZDF still needs time to make an official confirmation about Marisa Burger's successor.

Crime statistics at a glance

In parallel with the current development of the series, it may be interesting to take a look at the general crime statistics in Germany. The police crime statistics (PKS) cups show that there has been a decline in homicides since the 1990s, in line with international trends in Western countries. Crime frequency figures are reported per 100,000 inhabitants and according to the most recent data, there was an increase in crime frequency in 2023, which has been linked to economic changes and migration.

The police in Germany are faced with the challenge of also looking at unreported crime (unrecorded crimes), while the PKS only records crimes registered by the police.

Overall, it is exciting to watch how the creative trends in the German television landscape develop. Sarah Thonig will play a significant role in continuing the “Rosenheim Cops” legacy, and only time will tell whether she can live up to the expectations of her new position. But one thing is certain: a good change at the top can often bring a breath of fresh air into a tried and tested tradition.

For more information read on Joyn, ZDF or explore the Wikipedia for deeper insights.