Beta Film Boards Premium Drama Series on the Fairytale King ‘Ludwig’
Beta Film has boarded as international distributor on a crime series about the death of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, whose Castle Neuschwanstein inspired Disney’s iconic castle logo.
The show is being produced by W&B Television, best known for “Pagan Peak,” “Dark” and “4 Blocks,” for German broadcaster ARD.
The series follows psychologist Gustav Zimmermann who is tasked with reviewing a psychiatric report on King Ludwig II, a document that will ultimately determine whether the king is declared incompetent to rule. The more he invests in discovering the reasons that led to Ludwig’s removal from power, the closer he gets to revealing the secrets of the king: his struggles with power, his longing for freedom and his forbidden love.
Beta Film said: ” ‘Ludwig’ is a cinematic journey into the king’s fantastical world, rich with pomp and gold. Yet behind all the splendor and spectacle stood a deeply enigmatic man — as mysterious in life as he was in death. Set in the late 1800s in Bavaria, ‘Ludwig’ is a fascinating and tragic tale of life and queer love, infused with a captivating crime story at its heart.”
Filming took place at historical locations, including Castle Neuschwanstein, one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks, and the former royal palace in the heart of Munich, the Residenz. Filming also took place in the Czech Republic.
Up-and-coming talent Luis Pintsch (“22 Lengths”) stars as King Ludwig II, alongside Felix Mayr (“Unorthodox,” “Senna”), who plays psychologist Gustav Zimmermann, Aaron Friesz (“Corsage,” “Franz K.”), Carlotta Bähre (“Ku’damm 77”), Jonathan Kriener (“Chabos”), as well as Tom Wlaschiha (“Stranger Things,” “The Boat”), Francis Fulton-Smith (“Empire Oktoberfest”), and Karl Markovics (“The Counterfeiters,” “Babylon Berlin”).
“Ludwig” is directed by Nina Vukovic (“Kleo 2”) and Sebastian Ko (“Tatort”), both also serve as writers. Head writers are Dominik Kempf and Marianne Wendt. Jan Prahl (“The Signal”) is the director of photography. Oliver Vogel, Quirin Berg, Max Wiedemann and Dominik Kempf serve as executive producers, Stefan Mütherich as co-executive producer, and Gretha Heisig as associate producer.
Ferdinand Dohna, head of content, Beta Film, said Ludwig was “a romantic dreamer with rock-star allure, who accepted no compromises when the realization of his visions and dreams was at stake, most notably Neuschwanstein Castle, which famously inspired Disney’s iconic castle logo. Like every good romantic hero, he failed in the end and died under mysterious circumstances at a young age. These are the ingredients for larger-than-life characters, brought to life in this miniseries by an outstanding creative team and magnetic cast that will resonate with audiences around the world.”
Oliver Vogel, managing director at W&B Television, said: “We all know Ludwig II as a fascinating artistic figure – melancholic, extravagant, withdrawn into a fantasy world far from reality. With ‘Ludwig,’ we are unravelling the old myths, approaching the person behind all these masks, and telling a visually powerful story about a queer life in a repressive era. Together with ARD, BR, Servus TV and SRF, we are bringing the real Ludwig back into the spotlight – vulnerable, contradictory, visionary.”
Christoph Pellander, head of commissioning editors at ARD Degeto Film, said: “We are reimagining the tale of the legendary fairytale king as a fictional cold case that is reopened, shedding new light on his mysterious death. Thanks to the outstanding creative team in the writers’ room, directors Nina Vukovic and Sebastian Ko, and executive producers Oliver Vogel and Quirin Berg, this project combines history with modern suspense. Creating a high-end series that meets international standards is only possible by joining forces with great partners. I’m delighted to partner with Beta Film, BR, as well as ServusTV and SRF, on this exceptional series.”
Ludwig is produced by W&B Television for ARD Degeto, BR, ServusTV and SRF. The series is supported by the German Motion Picture Fund (GMPF), the Bavarian Film and Television Fund (FFF Bayern), with the support from the Czech Audiovisual Fund’s Production Incentive. Beta Film handles international sales.
The show is being produced by W&B Television, best known for “Pagan Peak,” “Dark” and “4 Blocks,” for German broadcaster ARD.
The series follows psychologist Gustav Zimmermann who is tasked with reviewing a psychiatric report on King Ludwig II, a document that will ultimately determine whether the king is declared incompetent to rule. The more he invests in discovering the reasons that led to Ludwig’s removal from power, the closer he gets to revealing the secrets of the king: his struggles with power, his longing for freedom and his forbidden love.
Beta Film said: ” ‘Ludwig’ is a cinematic journey into the king’s fantastical world, rich with pomp and gold. Yet behind all the splendor and spectacle stood a deeply enigmatic man — as mysterious in life as he was in death. Set in the late 1800s in Bavaria, ‘Ludwig’ is a fascinating and tragic tale of life and queer love, infused with a captivating crime story at its heart.”
Filming took place at historical locations, including Castle Neuschwanstein, one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks, and the former royal palace in the heart of Munich, the Residenz. Filming also took place in the Czech Republic.
Up-and-coming talent Luis Pintsch (“22 Lengths”) stars as King Ludwig II, alongside Felix Mayr (“Unorthodox,” “Senna”), who plays psychologist Gustav Zimmermann, Aaron Friesz (“Corsage,” “Franz K.”), Carlotta Bähre (“Ku’damm 77”), Jonathan Kriener (“Chabos”), as well as Tom Wlaschiha (“Stranger Things,” “The Boat”), Francis Fulton-Smith (“Empire Oktoberfest”), and Karl Markovics (“The Counterfeiters,” “Babylon Berlin”).
“Ludwig” is directed by Nina Vukovic (“Kleo 2”) and Sebastian Ko (“Tatort”), both also serve as writers. Head writers are Dominik Kempf and Marianne Wendt. Jan Prahl (“The Signal”) is the director of photography. Oliver Vogel, Quirin Berg, Max Wiedemann and Dominik Kempf serve as executive producers, Stefan Mütherich as co-executive producer, and Gretha Heisig as associate producer.
Ferdinand Dohna, head of content, Beta Film, said Ludwig was “a romantic dreamer with rock-star allure, who accepted no compromises when the realization of his visions and dreams was at stake, most notably Neuschwanstein Castle, which famously inspired Disney’s iconic castle logo. Like every good romantic hero, he failed in the end and died under mysterious circumstances at a young age. These are the ingredients for larger-than-life characters, brought to life in this miniseries by an outstanding creative team and magnetic cast that will resonate with audiences around the world.”
Oliver Vogel, managing director at W&B Television, said: “We all know Ludwig II as a fascinating artistic figure – melancholic, extravagant, withdrawn into a fantasy world far from reality. With ‘Ludwig,’ we are unravelling the old myths, approaching the person behind all these masks, and telling a visually powerful story about a queer life in a repressive era. Together with ARD, BR, Servus TV and SRF, we are bringing the real Ludwig back into the spotlight – vulnerable, contradictory, visionary.”
Christoph Pellander, head of commissioning editors at ARD Degeto Film, said: “We are reimagining the tale of the legendary fairytale king as a fictional cold case that is reopened, shedding new light on his mysterious death. Thanks to the outstanding creative team in the writers’ room, directors Nina Vukovic and Sebastian Ko, and executive producers Oliver Vogel and Quirin Berg, this project combines history with modern suspense. Creating a high-end series that meets international standards is only possible by joining forces with great partners. I’m delighted to partner with Beta Film, BR, as well as ServusTV and SRF, on this exceptional series.”
Ludwig is produced by W&B Television for ARD Degeto, BR, ServusTV and SRF. The series is supported by the German Motion Picture Fund (GMPF), the Bavarian Film and Television Fund (FFF Bayern), with the support from the Czech Audiovisual Fund’s Production Incentive. Beta Film handles international sales.