ZDF Studios vampire drama 'Love Sucks' to premiere on France Télévisions
Mainz, June 16th, 2025
French viewers are in for a blood-curdling treat as France Télévisions snaps up ZDF Studios’ vampire drama Love Sucks (8 x 30’).
Winner of the Bernd Burgemeister TV Production Award in Germany for BEST SERIES, awarded annually at the Munich Film Festival, Love Sucks is produced by ZDF Studios’ wholly owned subsidiary Studios Zentral for ZDF. ZDF Studios is the global distributor.
The eight-part thriller stars Havana Joy as the fairground boxer Zelda (Der Fall, der Spree), and Damian Hardung (Maxton Hall: The World Between Us, Red Bracelets: The Beginning) as Ben Von Griefenstein, a melancholic vampire who is weary of living forever. The series was written by German screenwriter and director Marc O. Seng (Dark) and directed by Lea Becker (Höllgrund) and Andreas Prochaska (The Dark Valley).
Set against the backdrop of blood, lust and the neon lights of a fairground, a murderous family feud stands in the way of true love. Trained as a boxer by her father, Zelda fights in the family boxing ring against fairground visitors. That's where she falls for the sensitive and sophisticated Ben who hides a secret - he’s a vampire. As Zelda is faced with this horrible realisation, she learns another secret closer to home - her family are vampire slayers and a brutal feud between the two families has existed for generations. While the tension between the two families grows, does Ben and Zelda’s love stand a chance?
Mirela Nastase, Director Drama for ZDF Studios, who brokered the deal said: “Poignant, intense, brutal, captivating and romantic is how I would describe Love Sucks. I’m delighted that audiences in France will have the opportunity to view this very unconventional love story.”
Morad Koufane, Director of International and Young Adult Drama for France Télévisions: “A suspenseful and gripping drama. The storytelling breathes fresh air into the vampire genre and instils a rollercoaster of emotions.”
Lasse Scharpen, Managing Director Studio Zentral and EP LOVE SUCKS: “When Marc presented us with his concept, a contemporary reinterpretation of Romeo and Juliet mixed with the vampire genre, we had no hesitation in getting involved.This exciting and original take on the romantic tragedy was enhanced by Havana’s and Damian’s skillful portrayals of the star-crossed lovers.”
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About ZDF Studios
ZDF Studios is a commercial subsidiary of ZDF, one of the largest TV broadcasters in Europe. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Mainz, Germany, the ZDF Studios Group operates more than 30 direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates in Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom spanning TV production, distribution and services. The parent company, ZDF Studios, is responsible for global programme distribution, realisation of international co-productions, acquisition of licences and merchandising of successful programme brands under its own name, for ZDF and third parties. ZDF Studios has the largest German-language programme inventory in the world and a constantly growing range of international productions, consisting of series and mini-series, television films, documentaries and children's programmes.
The companies of the ZDF Studios Group cover the entire value chain from the development of scripted and unscripted TV content to production, marketing and monetizing, including TV and streaming licences as well as merchandising and online rights. The positioning of ZDF Studios as an integrated media company enables the development of innovative, outstanding and high-quality programmes and makes the Group an attractive workplace for German and international talent to flourish in a very inspiring and creative environment.
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
About France Télévisions
France Télévisions is France's leading audiovisual group, offering high quality, diverse and unifying programms for all audiences. The group's contents can be found on the france.tv and franceinfo digital platforms, on five national channels (France 2, France 3, France 4, France 5 and franceinfo), 24 regional channels and 9 global TV/radio/web media in overseas territories. Okoo, Slash and Lumni complement this diversified offering with programs aimed at young audiences, school children and teachers. 3 out of 4 French people watch the group's programs every week, making France Télévisions a real link builder.