This is the new investigator duo for the Austrian "Tatort"

Former "Buhlschaft" Miriam Fussenegger (35) and Laurence Rupp (38) will be the new investigator duo in the Austrian "Tatort" from 2027. This was officially confirmed by ORF on Tuesday. The two, who studied together at the Max Reinhardt Seminar in Vienna, will succeed Harald Krassnitzer and Adele Neuhauser, who are leaving "Tatort" at their own request and will still be seen in three new Austrian crime dramas.

Fussenegger and Rupp instead of Krassnitzer and Neuhauser

Filming for the first case of the new duo, who will act in their roles as half-siblings Charlotte "Charlie" Hahn and Alex Maleky, is expected to start in spring 2026. The script for "Azra" is by Sarah Wassermair, and Dominik Hartl will direct. The connection between the two new protagonists is also central in the first case, because when Hahn takes over the leadership of a special unit of the Federal Criminal Police Office, no one knows why she knows her newly assigned colleague Maleky so well. Speculation is rife.

ORF Director General Roland Weißmann called Laurence Rupp and Miriam Fussenegger in a statement "two more than worthy successors" for the audience favorites Harald Krassnitzer and Adele Neuhauser, who will have investigated together around 40 times by the time they leave (Krassnitzer's first case was first broadcast in 1999, Neuhauser's in 2011). In the search for successors, "this new constellation naturally emerged," explained ORF Program Director Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz. With the new team, a "new chapter - with a new generation and a completely new approach" begins for the Austrian "Tatort".

"The 'Tatort' is iconic"

"When I found out that I would be the new 'Tatort' commissioner, I was first incredulous, then very happy. Of course, there was also a certain excitement and nervousness because you want to fill the big shoes you are stepping into. It's nice to be able to share this big secret that I've been carrying with me for so long now. The 'Tatort' is iconic. It is an honor and a distinction to join the ranks of these great actors," Miriam Fussenegger was quoted as saying. "The series stands for quality as well as socio-political and socially critical content. You get to accompany and develop your character for a long time."

In 2016, Fussenegger became the second youngest "Buhlschaft" in the history of the Salzburg Festival's "Jedermann", but she only played the popular role for one season. She took on her first leading role in a television film in the Mühlviertel ORF "Landkrimi" called "Der Tote am Teich", where she acted alongside Maria Hofstätter and Josef Hader, among others. More "Landkrimis" were to follow. She has known Laurence Rupp "for a very long time and I am happy to have a partner by my side whom I appreciate both as an actor and as a person. It is a gift to already have a certain basis of trust both privately and in the character. The 'Tatort' thrives on the combination of these two people who play together and experience this encounter," said the Linz native, who with Rupp had already played the fairy king and queen Titania and Oberon in a "A Midsummer Night's Dream" production at the Reinhardt Seminar. Later, the two met again during the filming of the movie "Cops".

Rupp: "It is Overwhelming"

"It is overwhelming to be part of the new 'Tatort' team. I feel a great sense of humility and responsibility, but also an immense joy. I am looking forward to engaging with this character and bringing Alex Maleky to life," said Laurence Rupp, who used to watch 'Tatort' repeatedly with his family. "What is great about the 'Tatort' series is that there is a strong focus on good scripts, as well as great direction and actors. Films are created that delve deep." The Viennese actor gained his first acting experience as a teenager in 'Kommissar Rex'. Shortly after graduating, he achieved his first cinema success in the horror film 'In 3 Tagen bist du tot' by Andreas Prochaska. He conquered new audiences with his role as the battle-hardened Arminius in the Netflix series 'Barbarians', as Leo in 'Vorstadtweiber', and as a wealthy, human-hunting investor in the film 'Veni Vidi Vici'.

But Rupp's career also advanced off-camera: From 2013 to 2017, he was a member of the ensemble at the Burgtheater, later part of the Berliner Ensemble. Working with Miriam Fussenegger is "very special. We have known each other for 15 years and have already completed the work of getting to know each other and warming up to each other."

Date for Next Austro 'Tatort'

The next Austro 'Tatort' ('The Electrician') will be aired on Sunday, December 14th. Directed by Harald Sicheritz, who is presenting his sixth 'Tatort' and also called the new team "a good choice" in a conversation with APA. He knows Rupp from some early joint projects and can therefore say from personal experience: "He is a great actor!" Whether the young new team will investigate until retirement age like their predecessors is not a necessity. "The question can be asked: Does it have to stay that way?"

In the course of 2026, the last two cases of Harald Krassnitzer and Adele Neuhauser are scheduled. They have the working titles 'Against the Time' and 'Then We Are Heroes'. And then a new era begins.

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(APA/Red)

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