New ‘Tatort’ Duo: Fussenegger & Rupp Replace Krassnitzer & Neuhauser | ORF 2027 Premiere

Miriam Fussenegger and Laurence Rupp are set to become the new leads of the long-running Austrian crime series “Tatort,” taking over from Harald Krassnitzer and Adele Neuhauser. The pair, who previously shared the stage as students, will play half-siblings in the series, adding a complex dynamic to the procedural drama. The news comes as the show prepares to say goodbye to its beloved former stars, who are stepping down after years of success.

The new duo first met while studying acting together at the prestigious Max Reinhardt Seminar in Vienna in 2010, spending four years as classmates. Fifteen years later, Fussenegger and Rupp will be investigating crimes side-by-side on “Tatort” starting in 2027. The actors aren’t strangers to performing together – during their training, they appeared in a production of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” playing the elven king and queen, Titania and Oberon.

However, their relationship on screen will be far from harmonious. Charlotte “Charlie” Hahn, played by Fussenegger, will be offered the leadership of a special unit within the Federal Criminal Police Office. It’s a challenging opportunity, especially considering her predecessors, Eisner and Fellner, were legendary figures. Though she initially had different career plans, she accepts the job with one condition: she gets to choose her own team. Her surprise is complete when she meets Alex Maleky, played by Rupp, on her first day – a colleague she knows well, but certainly wouldn’t have picked as her closest collaborator.

Colleagues at the BKA notice the tension immediately, wondering what’s going on. Have Charlie and Alex been romantically involved? Is there a secret professional rivalry? Could it be connected to the internal corruption case Charlie investigated a year ago? The situation is more serious than it appears, because blood is thicker than water…

Filming for the first episode starring Fussenegger and Rupp, directed by Dominik Hartl (also known for season three of “School of Champions,” premiering January 18, 2026, on ORF 1 and January 1 on ORF ON), and written by Sarah Wassermair – who also penned the Austrian “Tatort” case “Azra” – is expected to begin in spring 2026.

ORF-Generaldirektor Roland Weißmann: „Zwei mehr als würdige Nachfolger“

“Saying goodbye to audience favorites Harald Krassnitzer and Adele Neuhauser, who have consistently delivered top ratings on ORF for many years, is of course difficult,” said ORF-Generaldirektor Roland Weißmann. “At the same time, I am pleased that with Laurence Rupp and Miriam Fussenegger we have found two more than worthy successors for the handover. The new Austrian team will invite ORF viewers to exciting joint investigations from 2027. The ‘Tatort’ series is a prime example of the successful and valuable cross-border cooperation between public broadcasters, in which ORF has been a strong partner for many years – as it has been with many other productions. My sincere thanks go to Harald Krassnitzer and Adele Neuhauser, who have shaped this cult format for so long, and I look forward to the new cases!”

ORF-Programmdirektorin Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz: „Konstellation dann auf so natürliche Weise herausgebildet“

“The departure of Harry and Adele from ‘Tatort’ has cast its shadow internally at ORF for some time,” said ORF-Programmdirektorin Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz. “This allowed us to intensively consider the question of succession for this great duo. It is fascinating how this new constellation then emerged so naturally. With Laurence Rupp and Miriam Fussenegger, we have found a great new team. With them, a new chapter begins for the Austrian ‘Tatort’ – with a new generation and a completely new approach.”

Miriam Fussenegger: „Große Ehre und Auszeichnung“

“When I learned that I would be the new ‘Tatort’ commissioner, I was first incredulous, then very happy,” said Miriam Fussenegger. “Of course, there was also some excitement and nervousness, because you want to fill the big shoes you’re stepping into. It’s nice to finally be able to share this big secret that I’ve been carrying around with me for so long. ‘Tatort’ is iconic. It is an honor and a distinction to join the ranks of these great actors. The series stands for quality as well as socio-political and social-critical content. You get to accompany and develop your character for a long time.” Regarding her partner, she added, “I’ve known Laurence for a very long time and I’m happy to have a partner by my side whom I appreciate both professionally and personally. It’s a gift to already have a certain basis of trust, both privately and in the character. ‘Tatort’ lives on the combination of these two people who play with each other and experience this encounter.”

Laurence Rupp: „Große Demut und Verantwortung, aber auch irrsinnige Freude“

“It’s overwhelming to be part of the new ‘Tatort’ team,” said Laurence Rupp. “I feel a great sense of humility and responsibility, but also incredible joy. I look forward to engaging with this character and bringing Alex Maleky to life. What’s great about the ‘Tatort’ series is that a lot of attention is paid to good scripts, great direction and actors. Films are created that go into depth.” About his “Tatort” past, he said, “For a while, my family and I would sit at home on Sundays and watch ‘Tatort’ – that was the only TV program that happened regularly. I also had professional contact with ‘Tatort’ – for example, in the case ‘Pumpen,’ where I played a fitness trainer – a real schemer. Now I’m switching sides, although Alex is also a schemer in his own way.” He also added, “Working with Miriam is very special. We’ve known each other for 15 years and have already done the work of getting to know each other and warming up to each other.”

Miriam Fussenegger spielt Charlotte „Charlie“ Hahn

Born in Linz, Miriam Fussenegger went to the Vienna Max Reinhardt Seminar shortly after leaving school to study acting. She soon became the second-youngest member of the Salzburg Festival and has since been seen on Austrian theater stages. For ten years, she has repeatedly appeared on ORF television – her repertoire ranges from crime to historical drama to lighthearted comedy. Miriam Fussenegger took on her first leading role in the Mühlviertel crime story “Der Tote am Teich” with Maria Hofstätter and Josef Hader – and subsequently appeared in further Upper Austrian films from the popular ORF series. She was seen in leading roles in the ORF series “Walking On Sunshine” and “Alles finster” (the second season of which has already been shot). In addition to theater and TV, Miriam Fussenegger can also be seen on the big screen – for example, in the ORF-co-financed feature films “Schächten” and in the comedy “Hals über Kopf” alongside Otto Jaus in a leading role.

Laurence Rupp als Alex Maleky

Laurence Rupp caught the eye at a casting for “Kommissar Rex” as a teenager, and shortly after graduating, he celebrated his first major cinema success with the ORF-co-financed Austro-horror film “In 3 Tagen bist du tot.” Since then, the graduate of the Max Reinhardt Seminar and former ensemble member of the Vienna Burgtheater has proven himself in a variety of genres and roles. He was awarded the Austrian Film Prize in the category of “Best Male Lead” for “Cops,” and in the Netflix series “Barbarians” he fought – speaking Latin – in the Teutoburg Forest. The ORF-co-financed satirical feature film “Veni Vidi Vici” made it to the Sundance Festival, and most recently, the ORF-co-financed historical drama “Zweitland” with Laurence Rupp in a leading role premiered in Austria. ORF series fans know him as Albrecht II in “Hunyadi,” as Kurt Wolff in “Kafka,” and not least as Leo in “Vorstadtweiber.” The “Tatort” itself is not entirely unfamiliar to him: he made his debut in “Familiensache,” and in “Paradies,” a story about old-age poverty and drug trafficking, he starred alongside Peter Weck, Gertrud Roll and Branko Samarovski. In “Pumpen,” he takes on the role of a fitness trainer with a pronounced criminal streak.