On 12 March at 8.15 pm, ORF 2 will be showing the latest episode of ‘Die Toten von Salzburg’. In the eleventh case ‘Murder in a prime location’ of the successful ORF/ZDF series produced by Satel Film in Vienna, actors Michael Fitz, Fanny Krausz and Erwin Steinhauer venture into the shark tank of the Salzburg property scene to solve the murder of a young estate agent. The series was directed by Erhard Riedlsperger, produced by Heinrich Ambrosch (Satel Film) and scripted by Maria Hinterkoerner.
Fans of Michael Fitz, Fanny Krausz and Erwin Steinhauer should mark 12 March in red in their TV guides. On this day, ORF 2 celebrates the TV premiere of the 11th episode of the popular series ‘Die Toten von Salzburg’. ‘Murder in a prime location’ is set in the hotly contested Salzburg housing market, where a young estate agent falls victim. Now it is up to Hubert Mur (Michael Fitz), Irene Russmeyer (Fanny Krausz) and Hofrat Seywald (Erwin Steinhauer) to solve the murder. In addition to Nikolaus Barton, Helmut Bohatsch, Paula Siebert, Sebastian Edtbauer and Michael Schönborn, Judith Altenberger, Christopher Schärf, Martina Spitzer, Michael A. Grimm, Laura Euler-Rolle, Sonja Romei, Cosima Lehninger, Erol Nowak, Simon Dietersdorfer, Gerhard Greiner and Jasmin Weissmann were also in front of the camera this time. The episode was produced by Heinrich Ambrosch (Satel Film), with Erhard Riedlsperger in the director’s chair. Kai Longolius was responsible for the spectacular images of the Franciscan church, Café Bazar, St Peter’s cemetery in Salzburg and the other filming locations, while the gripping plot was written by screenwriter Maria Hinterkörner.
Austria’s successful TV export
The charm of the series lies in the great ensemble, an exciting crime thriller that is always told with a touch of humour and the picturesque backdrop of the city of Salzburg,’ says Heinrich Ambrosch, managing partner of Satel Film and producer of the series. The history of top ratings shows that he is right in his assessment. The 9th episode ‘Schattenspiel’ achieved a market share of 28 per cent (791,000 viewers) and an impressive 24 per cent (5,091 viewers) on ZDF. The last case, entitled ‘Sweet Poison’, achieved a market share of 27 per cent when it was broadcast on ORF2 with up to 770,000 viewers and even won the day in Germany with 6.587 million viewers on ZDF and an overall market share of 25.7 per cent.
ORF Programme Director Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz: ‘Captivating stories with a top-class cast and a lot of local colour skilfully staged – all this has made “Die Toten von Salzburg” an ORF success story. We can only offer our audience such premium productions in this variety and quantity through co-operation with strong partners such as ZDF and SATEL Film. I am looking forward to another exciting TV evening with the investigators of the Salzburg CID.’
Environmentally friendly production
The series is produced in accordance with strict ecological standards that comply with the Austrian Ecolabel for ‘Green Producing (UZ 76)’. The Satel Film production team attaches great importance to involving everyone – from colleagues and actors to agencies and partners – in the endeavours to achieve an environmentally friendly production. Attention is paid to sustainability in all areas of production: Materials for buildings and set design, props, costumes and make-up, technical equipment, catering and accommodation. Each of these aspects is subjected to a thorough assessment of its environmental impact. Through this holistic approach, the team strives to minimise the environmental footprint of series production while being a role model for sustainable practices in the industry.
Sabine Weber (ORF) and Daniel Blum (ZDF) were responsible for the programme, with Astrid Hauss (Satel Film) as producer and green producer.
Film Synopsis ‘Murder in a prime location’
Real estate agent Noelle Imlauer (Laura Euler-Rolle) is found dead. She worked for the Salzburg property tycoon Francis Zeferer (Christopher Schärf). The previous evening, the two had met at the Immo regulars’ table in Café Bazar. This also led to a surprising encounter with their former best school friend Vanessa Pöttler (Judith Altenberger). The two have not seen each other since their A-levels five years ago. Their graduation party was overshadowed by the tragic death of Vanessa’s father, which she had to witness. The site manager died on one of Zeferer’s construction sites. Vanessa never got over it because she doesn’t believe it was an accident. Especially because she thinks she saw someone else on the scaffolding who pushed her father down. Vanessa then vowed to take revenge. The former president of the provincial parliament (Susanne Czepl-Zrost), who is now in prison, gives Salzburg CID investigator Irene Russmeyer (Fanny Krausz) and Court Councillor Alfons Seywald (Erwin Steinhauer) as well as Chief Inspector Hubert Mur (Michael Fitz) a crucial clue. They come across a web of corruption.
‘Die Toten von Salzburg’ is a production of Satel Film in co-production with ORF and ZDF, funded by FISAplus, Fernsehfonds Austria, the Province of Salzburg and the City of Salzburg.
Bildcredit: Satel Film/Lisa Kutzelnig
