Jena, July 11, 2026 – Filming for a new ZDF Thuringia crime thriller is currently underway in Jena. The popular series featuring forensic pathologist Theresa Wolff is delving deep into the local sports world this time.
- What: Filming of the ZDF Thuringia crime thriller “Das große Herz”
- Location: Jena and surrounding area
- Period: Since June 23, 2026
- Cast: Nina Gummich, Golo Euler, Sahin Eryilmaz
Production by Ziegler Film has been ongoing in the “City of Light” since the end of June. Directed by Thuringia native Christian Werner, the new episode sheds light on the darker side of competitive girls’ football.
A mysterious death on the pitch
The plot promises high tension: During a decisive home game, 16-year-old youth player Niko Bonev collapses on the field. Despite immediate resuscitation attempts, the young athlete dies at the scene. During the subsequent autopsy, Dr. Theresa Wolff (Nina Gummich) discovers an undiagnosed, severe heart condition, but the medical findings quickly raise doubts about the girl’s natural death.
Together with detectives Moritz Herbst (Golo Euler) and Ceyhan Topal (Sahin Eryilmaz), Wolff begins investigating the club environment. For investigator Topal, the case becomes an extreme emotional ordeal: his own daughter plays on the same team and was a close friend of the victim.
In addition to the main cast, the high-caliber ensemble includes other familiar faces such as Peter Schneider in the role of forensic pathologist Zeidler, as well as Gera-born actor Matti Schmidt-Schaller.
For those looking for further leisure activities in the region over the weekend alongside the filming, a visit to the interactive automata exhibition at the Imaginata is recommended.
🏛️ History: From SC Motor Jena to FC Carl Zeiss
The club name “SC Motor Jena” mentioned in the film has a real historical precedent: The Jena sports club was founded in 1954. As an important performance center in the GDR, it united numerous sports under one roof – including athletics icons such as Heike Drechsler. In the 1960s, the football department of the club eventually evolved into the now-famous FC Carl Zeiss Jena.
Source:
Theresa Wolff investigates in the Jena football world
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.