Mommsen Promises Reunion with Familiar Faces in Coastal Crime Series

The ARD crime thriller "Mord oder Watt?" continues Friday evening. Lead actor Oliver Mommsen talks about filming locations in Bremerhaven and Cuxhaven, as well as the chances of a sequel.

Another murder on the North Sea coast – or what? Oliver Mommsen, playing TV detective "Lux," feels compelled during his home vacation – after a successful debut last year – to solve another mysterious death, using his charm, intuition, and confidence. This time, even Antonia Bill, playing Inspector Wiebke Tönnessen, can't stop him. She neither takes the out-of-touch actor seriously nor can she curb his detective ambition.

Ulrike C. Tscharre, as restaurant owner Hannah, also struggles to understand this eccentric but very likable character, who often offends even old friends with his vanity. The new case "Mord oder Watt? Für immer Matjes" is fast-paced, humorous, and full of witty dialogue – and is now available in the ARD Mediathek. The film will air on Friday at 8:15 pm on ARD.

Mr. Mommsen, where was this episode of "Mord oder Watt?" filmed?

We film a lot in and around Cuxhaven, but this time we also shot several scenes in Bremerhaven. There’s a big fish restaurant in our story, where Stephan Grossmann, as the owner, delivers a fantastic performance and is even under suspicion. We spent a lot of time there.

What's the setting of this latest case with Tim Seebach, aka "Lux"?

It's pretty much the same as in the first film. We’ve fallen in love with the whole ensemble: Tim cautiously falls for Hannah, played by Ulrike C. Tscharre, so we’re taking that a step further. This time, he makes a major blunder with Erik, his best friend, who has come out as gay. Without giving too much away, Tim forgets Erik’s birthday, and Erik assumes Tim came especially to celebrate – a misunderstanding that shows what a self-absorbed guy Tim can be. There’s also friction with Wiebke and Malte, the two real police officers. Wiebke is exasperated by him, while Malte, who’s a huge Tim Seebach fan and can quote the series by heart, starts to develop his detective skills during the case. Joshua Seelenbinder, who I adore, plays Malte, and every time he appears on screen, I feel like the film should turn black and white because he has this brilliant Buster Keaton-style comedy.

Of course, Hedi Kriegeskotte is back as Frau Jessen, our "Cuxhaven Stasi" – she knows everything, pops up out of nowhere, and no one wants anything to do with her. But this time, you’ll also see her more human side. My late mother, from Tim Seebach's perspective, who died in the first part, will appear again as a ghost. So, there will be reunions with lots of great characters.

What about North Sea romance in this episode?

When you film in places like Cuxhaven or Bremerhaven, of course, you catch the sunrise and sunset with the camera. Personally, I started my day by stumbling into the mudflats early in the morning, still half-asleep, with my script in hand, and waking up somewhere in the middle of the mud. After that, I was really awake and ready for the day. Naturally, the body is found in the mudflats, and there’s a search in the water for the crime scene.

Will there be a third part of "Mord oder Watt?"

That’s up to the viewers. If enough people tune in and we hit the magic rating number – there’s a specific figure, though I don’t know if I can mention it, but it’s achievable. I’ve been hoping for nothing else for weeks. We’ve already developed the third script because we believe in this fun universe, the hybrid of crime and comedy.

We’re ready to go, Saxonia Media has already invested, and if everyone tunes in on Friday and the ratings skyrocket, I think we’ll be allowed to shoot the third part next year. And if we shoot the third, I believe a fourth will follow.

"Return to the Mudflats: A Coastal Crime Adventure"

As the ARD crime thriller "Mord oder Watt?" returns this Friday evening, viewers can expect another thrilling mystery set against the North Sea coast. Lead actor Oliver Mommsen shares insights into the unique filming locations in Bremerhaven and Cuxhaven, as well as the future of the series.

Detective "Lux" (Oliver Mommsen) is once again drawn into a perplexing murder case during his home vacation. Despite his self-assured demeanor, he stumbles into trouble with fellow characters, including Inspector Wiebke Tönnessen (Antonia Bill) and restaurant owner Hannah (Ulrike C. Tscharre). The charming yet self-absorbed detective manages to irritate both friends and colleagues with his antics, leading to comical misunderstandings.

The latest case, "Mord oder Watt? Für immer Matjes," offers humor, suspense, and scenic views of the North Sea coast. Fans can stream the film on ARD Mediathek or catch it on Friday at 8:15 pm.