"Where's Wanda?" Returns for Season 2, Asking: "How Far Will You Go to Save Your Child?"

"Where's Wanda?", Apple TV's first German series, was a major success for the streamer. The show's creative team at UFA Fiction is now increasing its investment with Season 2. Season 1 takes place in the town of Sonderheim, where Carlotta's parents, Heike Makatsch and Daniel Donskoy's character Dedo Kallat, search desperately for…

UFA Fiction Managing Director and Executive Producer Natalie Kodiabur discusses the dark comedy's popularity, maintaining momentum and the elements that set it apart, including its star-studded ensemble cast.

"Where's Wanda?" Apple TV's first German series was a huge success for the broadcaster. The show's creative team at UFA Fiction has now stepped up investment with Season 2. The first season of the series takes place in the city of Sunderheim.

By acquiring devices from the dark web, they spy on their neighbors and local residents, and in the process uncover many of the city's hidden secrets. RELATED STORIES 'Ted Lockdown' Theme Song Change: Why Brandi Carlile Played Marcus Mumford In Season 4 Finale — And Is It A Permanent Change? Kelly Clarkson vs. Game Art: Footage has surfaced of the singer's visit to a Brooklyn novelty store she slammed for treating 'Pretty Woman'.

Wanda is finally found at the end of Season 1. But, standing over a dead body, Wanda ends up behind bars in Season 2. Popular in Variety

"Where's Wanda?" Season 2 was created, written and executive produced by Oliver Lansley, whose credits include Anna Paquin's drama Fleck, alongside award-winning executive producer and UFA Fiction CEO Natalie Kudiabor ("Arthur's Law") Valior Ossig ("Helgoland 513"). The series is based on a story by Zoltan Spirandelli ("Via Con Dios") and directed by Toby Bauman ("Fake Hitler") and Christian Dieter ("How to Be Single").

Speaking with Variety about the success of "Where's Wanda?" Kudiabor talks about the hit show's popularity, the challenges of maintaining momentum, and the cast, which features some of Germany's top acting talent.

Kudiabor notes that Season 2 begins on "a wonderful starting point." Without revealing spoilers, suffice it to say that a major twist at the end of Season 1 "opened up a whole new set of possibilities."

Wanda's parents, Carlotta and Dedo, are once again desperately trying to protect their daughter, this time by proving her innocence and finding the real killer. Meanwhile, Wanda finds herself in prison, where she encounters a number of familiar enemies and faces her own threats.

So while we're telling a brand new story, we're staying true to the emotional heart of the show: How far would you go to save your child?

It was this concept that drove Season 1 and made Apple TV's first German-language series a smash hit. “For us, the priority has always been to tell a compelling story that connects with audiences, regardless of where they live,” emphasizes Kodiabor. The question of how far parents will go to save their child, Stave adds, is universal.

We are delighted that Apple TV shares our belief that this is a topic with strong international appeal.

"At the same time, it was very important to us that the show retain its distinct German identity," he adds. This was also something that our creators Zoltan Spirandelli and Oliver Lanceley felt strongly about. Even though Sunderheim is an over-the-top and somewhat absurd version of a small German town, we wanted the audience to feel that the story is really rooted in Germany.

"I believe authenticity is what helps a story travel internationally. You don't have to make something less local to make it more global."

Identifying the key elements that have contributed to the show's success, Kodiabore says, “I think our secret ingredient is black comedy. Along with a truly engaging and emotionally driven crime story, humor has always been an important part of the show's DNA: especially for our writer and creator, Oliver Lansley.

Oliver has an uncanny ability to balance real emotions and very human problems with increasingly absurd and sometimes outrageous situations. You laugh at moments you probably shouldn't, while still being fully invested in the characters and their struggles.

It's precisely this balance, he adds, that gives the show its "distinctive tone" and sets it apart from other crime and mystery shows.

Another element that makes this show so attractive is its star cast. This season, Sam Riley ("Mint"), Alexandra Maria Lara ("Everything We Never Said") and David Schutter ("Barbarians") join the series.

Returning cast members include Nikeata Thompson ("Späti"). Harriet Herbig Maten ("Maxton Hall: The World Between Us"); Gisa Flick ("Berlin Station"); Paulina Rozinski ("Welcome to Germany"); Suzanne von Borsudi ("Running Lola Run"); Kostia Ulman ("Wanted Man"); David Streiso ("All Quiet on the Western Front"); Frédéric Balnier ("Maxton Hall: The World Between Us"); Sasha Gershak ("Deliberate Murder"); Torben Libercht ("altered carbon"); Aaron Maldonado Morales ("Sun and Concrete"); and Anton Drager ("Both Sides of the Abyss").

"We're incredibly lucky to have such a brilliant cast from Season 1, and we're thrilled to welcome a fantastic new cast for Season 2," says Kodiabor.

"For us, it's a huge compliment when actors of this caliber tell us they loved the first season, really connected with the scripts and are excited to be a part of the show."

"Alexandra Maria Lara and Sam Riley - who are married in real life - are wonderfully portrayed as the mysterious new neighbors Carlotta and Dedo. By Heike Makatsch and Axel Stein, it's a real gift. Their characters arrive at Sunderheim with a big secret, adding another layer of intrigue to the story.

"Bringing together such an exceptional cast, including familiar faces in unexpected roles, creates a real sense of excitement and curiosity for the audience," Kodiabur emphasizes.

Looking beyond Season 2, Kudiabor talks about the possibility of future adventures.

"Let's just say that Oliver Lansley and all of us still have a few tricks up our sleeve when it comes to the future of the Clot family. But for now, we're very much looking forward to sharing Season 2 with viewers when it premieres on Apple TV on October 21st."