Backstage

2023

Documentary

Backstage is a German documentary-style TV series on ZDF that takes viewers behind the scenes of popular ZDF shows and productions. Rather than being a traditional drama or fiction series, it offers an inside look at how TV formats are created: from the set, the crew and cast interactions to the challenges and everyday moments during filming. Each episode focuses on a different show or production as its subject. For example, it has shown what happens behind the camera of series like Bettys Diagnose, the cooking show Die Küchenschlacht or the crime drama Nord Nord Mord, exploring both the technical and human aspects of making television.

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Production

ZDF, Neue Deutsche Filmgesellschaft, Berlin Producers

Language

Status

Returning Series

First Aired

October 27, 2023

Last Aired

December 27, 2025

Networks

ZDF

Where to Watch

Region US · Lang EN

No providers available for this region.

Available in Your Library

Seasons & Episodes

Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.

Season

Bettys Diagnose: Behind the scenes with Henrike Hahn

Air date: 2023-10-27

Bares für Rares: What makes the antiques stars tick

Air date: 2023-12-14

Die Küchenschlacht: On set with the cooking professionals

Air date: 2024-04-15

SOKO Leipzig: On set with the crime heroes

Air date: 2024-09-18

Love Sucks: In conversation with the vampire stars

Air date: 2024-10-11

Die Bergretter: Filming at the limit

Air date: 2024-10-29

Notruf Hafenkante: Secrets from the film set

Air date: 2024-11-27

Der Palast: The hard road to the spotlight

Air date: 2024-12-19

Hans Sigl: Backstage on Der Bergdoktor

Air date: 2024-12-20

E10

Der Bergdoktor: What makes the Grubers tick

Air date: 2024-12-20

E11

Frühling: How the hit series is made

Air date: 2025-01-17

E12

Die Küchenschlacht: The contestants’ journey

Air date: 2025-07-03

E13

Dr. Nice: Backstage during filming

Air date: 2025-08-28

E14

Ehrlich Brothers: The magic behind the show

Air date: 2025-09-23

E15

Aktenzeichen XY: Behind the scenes

Air date: 2025-10-06

E16

Am Set von SOKO Stuttgart: On the set of SOKO Stuttgart

Air date: 2025-12-04

E17

Nord Nord Mord: On set during filming on Sylt

Air date: 2025-12-05

E18

Sketch History: How history is turned into comedy

Air date: 2025-12-16

E19

Ku’damm 77: A new generation joins the dance

Air date: 2025-12-27

E20

Notruf Hafenkante: Behind-the-Scenes Action

Air date: 2026-05-14

Matthias Schloo, Lilli Holunder, and Rhea Harder-Vennewald on the set of "Notruf Hafenkante." An episode is being filmed in Hamburg under high pressure. A look at the teamwork and challenges on set.

E21

heute journal: News professionals with nerves of steel

Air date: 2026-07-30

Marietta Slomka, Christian Sievers, and Dunja Hayali go about their daily work on Germany’s most successful news magazine. Amidst meetings, interviews, and tight deadlines, the "heute journal" anchors spend half an hour each day placing complex topics in context clearly and precisely.

E22

"Doppelhaushälfte" Backstage: A Look Behind the Garden Fence

Air date: 2026-08-14

An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the ZDFneo comedy series "Doppelhaushälfte" there’s plenty of laughter on set, and a few secrets are revealed along the way. Featuring guest stars such as Wayne Carpendale and Bela B.

E23

ZDF-Fernsehgarten: Behind the scenes with Kiwi

Air date: 2026-08-19

Andrea Kiewel and the team open the doors to the open-air studio and reveal some of the TV show's secrets—spanning rehearsals, the live broadcast, and memories of 40 years of "Fernsehgarten."