Since its launch in 2012, Dortmund’s ‘Tatort’ has set standards – not only through its dark atmosphere and complex cases but especially through its exceptional character development and consistent horizontal storytelling – with numerous side plots. For many fans, it has become a small challenge to keep track of the numerous personnel changes and the intricate relationships within the team. Yet it’s precisely this dynamic that makes the Dortmund episodes so appealing.
Peter Faber at the Center of Dortmund’s ‘Tatort’ Since 2012
From the beginning, Peter Faber, played by Jörg Hartmann (56), has been at the center, his life marked by a tragic fate: the murder of his family turned him into a detective who often operates on the edge of the abyss, impulsive and uncompromising. Initially, Martina Bönisch, portrayed by Anna Schudt (51), worked by his side. She was not only Faber’s most important colleague but also developed over the years into his closest confidante and eventually partner, before she was killed in the line of duty in 2022 – a shock that once again extremely shattered Faber.
The early years were characterized by a young, ambitious cast: Nora Dalay and Daniel Kossik, played by Aylin Tezel (41) and Stefan Konarske (45), brought fresh energy to the homicide division but had to repeatedly stand their ground against Faber’s unorthodox methods. Dalay, who brought new perspectives with her background and ambition, left the team in 2020. Kossik, who repeatedly clashed with Faber, transferred to the State Criminal Police Office in Düsseldorf in 2018. However, the story would later bring him back to Dortmund.
Pawlak Takes Over, But Doesn’t Stay Long
After the departure of the two young investigators, Jan Pawlak moved to the center of the plot. Rick Okon (36) portrayed a detective from 2018 who had to struggle not only with crimes on Dortmund’s streets but also with his own past. His family entanglements, especially the concern for his daughter, gave the series a new emotional depth. However, Pawlak didn’t stay permanently either: in 2024, he bid farewell to the team in the episode ‘Cash’ to go into hiding with his daughter – a departure that moved many fans.
With Bönisch’s death and Pawlak’s departure, the Dortmund homicide division was once again forced to reinvent itself. Rosa Herzog, played by Stefanie Reinsperger (37), joined the team in 2021 and brought a new dynamic with her analytical, calm manner. She quickly became Faber’s most important partner and had to deal with the consequences of her own decisions in several episodes. The biggest change came in spring 2025, when Ira Klasnić, portrayed by Alessija Lause (45), officially took over leadership of the homicide division. Klasnić, previously with the State Criminal Police, is a somewhat dubious boss with rough edges who creates new tensions with her direct leadership style and her own agenda, especially in interaction with Faber, who continues to form the emotional center of the team.
Kossik Returns to Dortmund – as a Troublemaker
Meanwhile, Daniel Kossik, now a State Criminal Police detective, returned to Dortmund. His return creates additional friction points, as he doesn’t always pursue the same goals as his former colleagues. With Otto Pösken (Malick Bauer, 34), a dedicated patrol officer who investigates alongside Faber and Herzog in the most recent episodes, another new face has emerged who supports the team but isn’t yet a permanent member.
Thus, Dortmund’s ‘Tatort’ presents itself in 2025 as a team in constant flux. The Dortmund episodes remain true to their trademark: they tell not only criminal cases but also the stories of the people behind them – with all their breaks, losses, and new beginnings. For fans, this means: things remain exciting in Dortmund, because nothing is as constant as change itself.
