Overview
- The fourth installment jumps 14 years to 1977, embedding the family saga in disco culture, rising drug issues and the Deutscher Herbst.
- Creator Annette Hess says persistent hate messages over Joachim Franck’s fate motivated her to bring Sabin Tambrea back as teacher Robert Beck.
- Trystan Pütter exited the series, and his character Freddy is written out by a fatal accident, with ZDF citing creative reasons for ending the role.
- The cast blends long-time leads Claudia Michelsen, Sonja Gerhardt, Emilia Schüle and Maria Ehrich with newcomers including Carlotta Bähre, Marie Louise Albertine Becker and Massiamy Diaby.
- A documentary filmmaker character, Linda Müller, is introduced as a narrative device, offering a new perspective on the Schöllack family and their dance school.