Crime scene: Last harvest - cancer-causing pesticides discovered in the Altes Land!

Crime scene: Last harvest - cancer-causing pesticides discovered in the Altes Land!

On October 26, 2025, the new “Crime Scene: Last Harvest” with LKA investigator Charlotte Lindholm, played by Maria Furtwängler, will bring exciting insights into the conflicts in the apple orchards in the Altes Land. The crime thriller not only deals with a mysterious death, but also raises questions about the risks of conventional agriculture.

In this episode, Lindholm is involved in a macabre case: a Romanian farm worker is killed by a harvester, while the event initially turns out to be an accident. But when the victim's head disappears and speculation about possible animal responsibility arises, it becomes clear that there is more to this incident. Lindholm is forced to investigate alone because the LKA cannot send officers due to a large-scale operation. She is supported by local police officer Olaf Gerke (Ole Fischer) as she empathizes with the tense atmosphere in the region, even finding accommodation in the victim's guesthouse.

A battle between organic and conventional

The homestead of organic farmer Marlies Feldhusen (Lina Wendel) is on the verge of collapse, and financial problems are shaping the relationship within the family. Their son Sven (Henning Flüsloh) struggles with depression, while his wife Frauke (Ronja Herberich) dreams of having her own physiotherapy practice. In his absence, she befriends Victor, a worker who is also involved in the incident, which further increases the tension.

A central conflict in the film arises from the rivalries between conventional farmers and organic farmers. Representatives of conventional agriculture such as Hajo Kinkicht (Tim Porath) and Marlies Feldhusen get into a heated argument that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats until the last minute. The themes of pesticides and their health risks run like a common thread through the plot. Lindholm discovers dangerous pesticides, the use of which is repeatedly linked to an increase in diseases such as lymphatic cancer - a central concern that she is pursuing intensively.

A crime thriller full of surprises

The filming, directed by Johannes Naber, is also a tribute to the first cases of Charlotte Lindholm, who made her debut more than twenty years ago. With a mixture of classic crime thriller elements and modern themes, the creators created a “retro crime thriller” that appeals to both old and new viewers. The finale is reminiscent of the works of Agatha Christie as Lindholm gathers the suspects and unravels the case, while surprising twists make the outcome of the story unpredictable.

With this case, Maria Furtwängler not only shows her return to the individual investigator, but also emphasizes the importance of topics that are important in our society. The mere fact that the next episode, “Tatort: ​​Schützenfest”, has already been announced for 2026 shows that viewers can look forward to more exciting stories from Lindholm.

For everyone who doesn't want to miss “Last Harvest”: The crime thriller is showing today at 8:15 p.m. on Erste. See for yourself how events unfold in the Old Land and whether the truth will be revealed.

Further details about the challenges in agriculture and the effects of pesticides can be found on the website of the Federal Environment Agency, which sheds light on the problem in detail.

Read more about the background information on this interesting case Swyrl, discover further developments in the case Daily Mirror and find out everything about the challenges in agriculture Federal Environment Agency.