A compelling chronicle of life, death, power and corruption in Germany’s boisterous capital before Hitler, “Babylon Berlin” scores as a critically acclaimed, extremely popular global phenomenon.
After its first three seasons on Netflix, Season 4 arrives Tuesday on MHz Choice as filming begins on its fifth season later this year.
Carrying the series is Volker Bruch’s Police Inspector Gereon Rath who we follow as “Babylon Berlin” literally teems with dozens of characters, international intrigue, glamor, decadence and murder. Think “Cabaret” times 10.
Gereon Rath has inevitably changed Bruch’s career. He has been playing Gereon since 2016 when filming first began.
“I like that he always tries to do what’s best, what he thinks is best, and how he really tries to stay true to himself,” Bruch, 44, said in English on a Zoom interview from Berlin. “I mean, this world goes more and more crazy, so that means his decisions are more and more crazy.
“It’s a very complex character and I’m proud to be able to play him because he really has ideals. He very much believes in the Berlin police department in general.
“So he tries to stay true to that. But obviously the political powers are becoming more and more powerful, corrupting the whole system. So his journey is not easy. I like how he trusts his heart and tries to do the right thing. He fails a lot of times. He’s going through hell in every season. But what’s important: He always gets up again.”
Season 4 begins on 1929’s New Year’s Eve with a massive political demonstration, climaxed by a Nazi attack on Jews and Jewish businesses on Berlin’s most prestigious shopping street.
“Season 4 is the first season where we really as the audience feel the National Socialists rising and see Nazis on the streets,” Bruch said. “Before, we felt them in the story but they were not really visual. This changes in Season 4 and he has to confront himself with the movement.
“He also has to deal with political leaders who are more and more trying to corrupt the Berlin Police Department.”
As to why “Babylon” has resonated so strongly, “It’s a period of time we have not put so much focus on.
“The Second World War, there’s lots about it — and the First World War too. But the gap in-between has been left out for some strange reasons.
“Because it’s the period of time where everything comes together to lead to the Second World War.
“It’s also a question where the audience might ask, ‘What would I have done if I was in the position back then? Would I be a hero? Or a coward?’”
“Babylon Berlin” premieres its first two episodes Tuesday and then two more per week through July 30.
