Netflix preps new Schumacher doc, Zarrellas series as DACH slate grows
Leonine Documentaries’ feature doc Schumacher ’94
Netflix
Netflix has commissioned its second documentary about Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher and a documentary series following celebrity couple Jana Ina and Giovanni Zarrella as it continues to grow its slate in German-speaking Europe.
The two new projects were announced by the streamer at a glitzy event in Berlin, featuring talent and exclusive snippets from its growing slate of German-language productions in front of more than 300 invited guests.
Feature-length doc Schumacher ’94 comes from Leonine Documentaries and tells the story of one of most dramatic and exciting racing seasons in Formula 1 history, when a then 25-year-old Schumacher won the first Grand Prix of the season in Brazil.
1994 also featured events such as Ayrton Senna’s fatal accident and accusations of manipulation and unfair driving manoeuvres, while ‘Schumi Mania’ emerged.
Directed by Christin Freitag, the doc features Schumacher’s wife, Corinna, and other people close to him as they share stories about the 57-year-old, who has not appeared publicly since suffering a traumatic brain injury in a skiing accident in 2013. It comes after Netflix released the documentary Schumacher globally in 2021.
Also from Leonine Documentaries, alongside i&u Studios, comes Die Zarrellas, a docuseries about the family life of celebrity couple Ina, a model and TV presenter, and Zarrella, a singer and entertainer, and their two children.
Both took to the stage to announce the show, which comes after they appeared in the reality show Jana Ina & Giovanni – Wir sind schwanger in 2008.
The evening also saw Netflix confirm the third and final season of period drama The Empress, produced by Sommerhaus Serien, which will launch at the end of the year, and a third season of crime drama Murder Mindfully, ahead of the launch of S2 on May 28. Tom Schilling and Peter Jordan presented exclusive scenes from the new season.
Meanwhile, production on S3 of Love Is Blind: Germany is set to start to soon, Netflix confirmed.
The event also saw Mala Emde, Katharina Stark and Louis Hofmann present their new film, 23, 000 Lives, inspired by the true story of a group of young people who set out to rescue refugees in distress in the Mediterranean.
Other stars attending included actress Alexandra Maria Lara and former professional football player Rúrik Gislason, who presented the first scenes from their comedy film Eat Pray Bark, in which five eccentric dog owners seek help in dealing with their four-legged friends. The film will land on Netflix on April 1.
Netflix’s 2026 line-up includes the thriller The Trap, star-studded comedy The Birthday Gift and the third season of Kaulitz & Kaulitz, featuring the popular twins.
Katja Hofem, Netflix’s VP of content in the DACH region, said: “The successes of recent years shows how truly diverse entertainment today can be. But we’re not stopping there. 2026 is our most ambitious year yet, with more German-language series, films and non-fiction projects and in greater variety than we have ever seen before.
“This is only made possible by years of work to develop the right projects, the courage to try something new and close collaboration with our creative partners and producers on the ground.”
