ARD spins off hospital drama

German broadcaster ARD has ordered a spin-off from its long-running drama In Aller Freundschaft (In all Friendliness).

In Aller Freundschaft – Die Krankenschwestern (In All Friendship – The Nurses) is from German producer Saxonia Media and will air later this year.

It follows five nurses training at the hospital that is featured in the original show, which has already spawned an online spin-off series.

The nurses-focused series has started filming in German city Leipzig and will run for eight weeks.

Original series In Aller Freundschaft started airing in 1998 and follows the staff at a German hospital, with ARD and Saxonia producing.