ZDF Studios takes crime thriller ‘Dear Vivi’ to international markets
Emotional family drama and thriller combo is the most successful ZDFmediathek series to date
Mainz, March 21st, 2023
'Dear Vivi' (original title 'Gestern waren wir noch Kinder') has set new records in the ZDFmediathek, German broadcaster ZDF's online media library. The seven episodes have so far reached almost 21 million views, or three million views per episode. This makes the program the most-viewed series in the ZDFmediathek to date and by far the most successful German streaming offer in the current year.
An average of 5.6 million people tuned in on TV, giving the series a market share of 20 percent and making it the prime time winner on all three broadcast days. The series has also gained record TikTok followers and fan edits: over 23K followers and half a million likes within three weeks of its launch.
Sebastian Krekeler, Director Drama at ZDF Studios: ‘We are delighted at the enormous success of ‘Dear Vivi’ and are pleased to present it in Lille as one of our Series Mania highlights. It is a series which connects with all generations, the young in particular, and is the focus of many discussions and viewing recommendations. ‘Dear Vivi’ does not only generate interest thanks to its highly talented cast, but above all due to its nerve-racking storyline, big secrets and unexpected cliffhanger. This also makes it an immensely attractive production for our international customers.’
The series, written and produced by Natalie Scharf, is part crime thriller, part drama and tells the tragic story of a seemingly perfect German family, whose world falls to pieces when the father suddenly kills his wife in the heat of the moment and ends up in custody awaiting trial. This thriller-drama crossover unfolds on two different time frames: The family’s oldest daughter Vivi tries to take on responsibility for her two younger siblings while the father Peter in custody attempts to explain the lead-up to this terrible crime by means of flashbacks.
Leading actors are Torben Liebrecht, Julia Beautx, Maria Simon, Damian Hardung, Julius Nitschkoff, Ulrich Tukur along with Karoline Eichhorn, Milena Tscharntke and Rieke Seja. The series is directed by Nina Wolfrum. Corinna Marx and Bastian Wagner are the ZDF editorial team in charge.
More information on the series: Dear Vivi (zdf-studios-presents.com)
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About ZDF Studios
ZDF Studios was originally founded in 1993 as ‘ZDF Enterprises’, a private subsidiary of ZDF, one of the largest and most renowned television broadcasters in Europe. The company was renamed ‘ZDF Studios’ on 1 April 2022. Based in Mainz, the business is responsible for distributing programms worldwide, implementing international co-productions, acquiring licenses and merchandising key brands under its own name, for ZDF and for third parties. Successfully established as an independent market player in Germany and globally, it operates as part of a strong network of 30 direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates. ZDF Studios has the largest German-language program stock in the world, plus a constantly growing catalogue of international productions consisting of series and mini-series, television films, documentaries and children’s programs. By continually evolving, the ZDF Studios group has been able to open up numerous business areas in the television and media sector. As a result, ZDF Studios now provides a comprehensive full-service offer and covers every stage in the creation and exploitation chain of successful TV productions in all genres, from developing content to producing, licensing, marketing, merchandising, online rights and much more.
Contact ZDF Studios
Christine Denilauler (VP Marketing and Corporate Communications), ZDF Studios GmbH, Erich-Dombrowski-Str. 1, 55127 Mainz/Germany, Tel.: +49 6131-9911130, Email: christine.denilauler@zdf-studios.com, www.zdf-studios.com