Netflix Announces German-Language Original FREUD

Sigmund Freud is the focal point of a new series developed by ORF, Satel, Bavaria Fiction and Netflix. This will be the first collaboration between ORF, which will premiere the series in Austria, and Netflix which will premiere the series everywhere else in the world. Principal photography will commence in Vienna and Prague at the beginning of 2019.

Almost 80 years after the death of the founder of psychoanalysis, Robert Finster is taking on the role of the young Sigmund Freud - not a Freud who is spending his time on the couch with theory and analysis, but one who is on a restless, heated and wild hunt for a murderer. The young Sigmund Freud is lurching from one professional crisis to the next. The world is simply not ready for his theories - until a murderous conspiracy begins brewing in the dark alleys of turn-of-the-century Vienna pulling him into the most hidden corners of human consciousness. At Finster's side are Ella Rumpf as the infamous medium Fleur Salomé, and Georg Friedrich as war veteran Alfred Kiss.

The extravagant Vienna of the 1890s, famous for its decadence and the dark underbelly of its high society, is the backdrop for mysterious murders and political intrigues in the eight 45-minute episodes of the new Austro-German production. The series is directed by award-winning filmmaker Marvin Kren, who also wrote the scripts together with Stefan Brunner and Benjamin Hessler.

Director and author Marvin Kren said: "I want to show a 'Freud' that we don't know and have never seen before - a man IN SEARCH OF recognition, one who is caught between two women, between reason and instinct. His psychoanalysis and the concept of id, ego and super-ego weren't created in a vacuum - they're based on the experiences of a troubled genius who has experienced all sides of humanity."

Amy Reinhard, Vice President of Content Acquisition at Netflix, said: "Freud is a compelling series that provides an exciting opportunity to collaborate with local partners like ORF, Bavaria Fiction and Satel, who share our goal of telling local stories with global appeal."

Executive Producers, Heinrich Ambrosch (SATEL Film) and Moritz Polter (Bavaria Fiction) added: "Thanks to the unique combination of Netflix and ORF we are now at the start of an incredible journey. We're delighted to bring this modern take on the mastermind of psychoanalysis to life, complete with all his flaws and short-comings. The series will lead us into a Vienna, seen through the eyes of a genius who is IN SEARCH OF his own voice. We know Marvin Kren's masterful approach will get the most from both cast and narrative - he will make this a deep layered and powerful experience."

ORF Director General Dr. Alexander Wrabetz comments: "This series project is ORF's first cooperation with the successful streaming provider Netflix, and will further consolidate the broadcaster's role as a strong and reliable partner for international content alliances. I am very pleased that a high-calibre Austrian team will be standing in front and behind the camera in this international cooperation project, and that turn-of-the-century Vienna will serve as the backdrop. Our 'Freud' is a modern, international event series with a surprising take on an Austrian personality whose sphere of influence extends far BEYOND the borders of this country."

Freud is a German-language Netflix Original series in co-production with ORF. The authors of the eight-part series are Marvin Kren, Stefan Brunner and Benjamin Hessler. The producers of Freud are Heinrich Ambrosch (SOKO Donau/Wien) for Satel Film and Moritz Polter (Das Boot) for Bavaria Fiction; co-production is supported by Filmfonds Wien (Vienna Film Fund). ZDF Enterprises will handle international distribution.