Hinter Gittern - Der Frauenknast (1997)
A landmark German women's prison drama that captivated RTL audiences for a decade across 16 seasons and 405 episodes.
Hinter Gittern - Der Frauenknast - Series Information
- Original Title: Hinter Gittern - Der Frauenknast
- First Air Year: 1997
- Last Air Year: 2007
- Created by: Rainer Wemcken
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (48 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 16
- Number of Episodes: 405
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: German
- Spoken Languages: German
- Networks: RTL
- Alternative Titles: Behind Bars (TR), Behind Bars (HK)
- Production Companies: Grundy UFA
- Production Countries: Germany
Hinter Gittern - Der Frauenknast - Plot
Drama set in a women's prison in Germany. Susanne Teubner, a sympathetic young woman who has killed her husband in an affect, is poorly advised by her lawyer and sentenced to life imprisonment for willful murder. The arrival in prison is a shock to her. Resigned and exhausted, she endures the degrading admission procedure. She doesn't notice that the young doctor Dr. Beck immediately felt more than professional interest for her.
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Hinter Gittern - Der Frauenknast - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Rainer Wemcken
Main Cast
- Katy Karrenbauer
- Barbara Freier
- Uta Prelle
- Christine Schuberth
- Christiane Reiff
- Heidi Weigelt
- Egon Hofmann
- Claudia Loerding
- Sigrid Schnückel
- Martina Baumann
Hinter Gittern - Der Frauenknast - FAQs
Is Hinter Gittern - Der Frauenknast based on a true story?
The series is not based on a single true story, but its portrayal of life inside a German women's prison draws on realistic social and legal themes. Creator Rainer Wemcken crafted a fictional yet grounded narrative that resonated with audiences through its authentic depiction of incarceration, injustice, and human resilience.
What happened to Susanne Teubner in the series?
Susanne Teubner is the emotional heart of the opening storyline — a young woman who kills her abusive husband in a moment of desperation, receives poor legal counsel, and ends up sentenced to life in prison. Her arrival marks a harrowing introduction to the brutal realities of the women's penitentiary.
Where can you watch Hinter Gittern - Der Frauenknast?
Streaming availability for Hinter Gittern - Der Frauenknast varies by region. The series originally aired on the German network RTL. For the most current viewing options in your area, check JustWatch, which aggregates streaming, rental, and purchase availability across platforms.
Who plays Christine Walter in Hinter Gittern?
Christine Walter is portrayed by Katy Karrenbauer, one of the most recognizable faces of the series. Her performance as the tough, complex inmate became iconic among German television audiences and helped define the show's enduring appeal throughout its 16-season run on RTL.
How many seasons and episodes does Hinter Gittern have?
The series ran for 16 seasons and a total of 405 episodes, making it one of the longest-running German drama series of its era. It broadcast on RTL from 1997 to 2007, with each episode averaging around 48 minutes in length.
How was Hinter Gittern received by German audiences and critics?
The show was a consistent ratings performer on RTL throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, building a loyal fanbase drawn to its melodramatic storytelling and strong female characters. While not a prestige critical darling, it became a beloved fixture of German primetime television and a cultural touchstone for the era.
What are similar shows to Hinter Gittern - Der Frauenknast?
Fans of the series will likely enjoy Orange Is the New Black, the acclaimed Netflix drama set in a US women's prison, as well as the Australian classics Prisoner and Wentworth. Bad Girls, the British prison drama, and Escape at Dannemora also offer compelling takes on incarceration and survival.
Who created Hinter Gittern - Der Frauenknast?
The series was created by Rainer Wemcken and produced by Grundy UFA for the German commercial network RTL. It launched in 1997 and ran until 2007, establishing itself as a landmark of German television drama with its unflinching look at life behind bars.
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