The oil boom in the Lüneburg Heath around 1900 is a unique chapter in northern German history - and is at the centre of the new series "Schwarzes Gold" (working title). The star cast of the six-part series, which NDR is producing for ARD Mediathek, includes Harriet Herbig-Matten, Aaron Hilmer, Tom Wlaschiha, Lena Urzendowsky, Henny Reents, Jessica Schwarz and Slavko Popadic. Tim Trachte and Nina Wolfrum are shooting the majority of the scenes in the Lüneburg Heath, in the museum village of Hösseringen and at Camp Reinsehlen near Schneverdingen until 18 June. A few scenes will be shot in Budapest/Hungary. The books were written by Justin Koch (head author), Pamela Katz and Florian Vey. The ARD Mediathek is expected to show the historical series at the end of 2025.

"Schwarzes Gold" (AT) takes viewers to a fictional village around the year 1900, centred around the farmer's daughter Johanna Lambert (Harriet Herbig-Matten): Her small farming family is cheated by the rich big farmer Wilhelm Pape (Tom Wlaschiha) for the oil deposits that are discovered beneath their fields. When the oil rush hits the village and threatens to destroy the farming community forever, the Lamberts' wives fight for justice and fight for their independence. "Black Gold" (AT) shows the destructive power of the boundless greed of individuals and the courage to rebel against injustice - and is therefore highly topical.

Historical background: One of the world's first oil wells was drilled in Wietze, Lower Saxony (Celle district) in 1858. Wietze was the most productive oil field in Germany until 1920. The town is also home to the German Petroleum Museum.

The other actors and actresses include Julius Nitschkoff, Daniil Kremkin, Peter Schneider, Liliom Lewald and Stephan Kampwirth.

Producers are Matthias Greving and Kirsten Lukaczik (Kinescope Film), executive producer is Dennis Becker and production manager is Gregori Winkowski.

Jörg Widmer and Andreas Köhler are responsible for the camera. Donald Kraemer and Diana Schulte-Kellinghaus, both NDR, are the editors.

"Schwarzes Gold" (AT) is a production of Kinescope Film in co-production with Filmnation, Hero Squared (Hungary) and 4Film in world sales by The Fifth Season on behalf of NDR for ARD. The production is supported with funds from nordmedia - Film- und Mediengesellschaft Niedersachsen/Bremen, MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein, FilmFernsehFonds Bayern and MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein.

Press contact:
Iris Bents, NDR Press and Communications
Phone: 040/4156-2304
E-mail: i.bents@ndr.de

Mirja Bauer, ARD Programme Directorate/Press and Information
Phone: 089/558944-865
E-Mail:Mirja.Bauer@ard.de