The German TV series Babylon Berlin is preparing to unveil its fifth and final season, which will depict Adolf Hitler's rise to power. This release coincides with a significant state election in Germany, which creators describe as a major test for the country's postwar order.
The show, which has run for 13 years, has been noted for its portrayal of 1920s Germany and its unsettling parallels with contemporary political pressures on democracies globally, from the US to Hungary and South Korea. Lead actor Liv Lisa Fries commented that the series' narrative has moved from a "dance on the rim of the volcano" to being "in the volcano itself."
The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party is currently leading national opinion polls in Germany. The party could potentially secure its first absolute majority in a state election in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday 6 September, and may also win in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern two weeks later.
Co-creator Henk Handloegten expressed pride in having "struck a nerve" with audiences worldwide, stating that the pressure on democracy in many countries motivated his engagement with the era depicted in the show. He believes the series has taken a "clear political stand" in its final season.