Are you looking for a new espionage thriller to binge-watch? Netflix viewers have been loving Unfamiliar, a six-part German series that has shot to number three in the global most-watched TV charts less than a week after landing on the streamer on 5 February.

The show follows former undercover spies Simon and Meret Schäfer (Felix Kramer and Susanne Wolff), a couple who run a “seemingly idyllic” safe house in Berlin. But when secrets from their past resurface, their cover is blown, and they are forced to confront the lives they thought they had left behind.

Created by Paul Coates, who is also known for his work on Emmerdale Farm, Red Election and EastEnders, the show features a strong supporting cast of German actors including Samuel Finzi, Andreas Pietschmann, Henry Hübchen and Seyneb Saleh.

Intrigued? Keep reading to find out more about Unfamiliar…

Unfamiliar on Netflix © Courtesy of Netflix

What have viewers said about Unfamiliar?

The show has proved a hit with viewers, with one calling it the “best of the best” on Netflix and demanding more seasons already.

“Unfamiliar was twisted and unpredictable,” wrote one viewer on X. “The secrets had secrets. The show hit the ground running and it packed some serious punch. The pacing was excellent and the stakes remained high throughout. A well-balanced mix of family drama and espionage conspiracy. Gripping!”Unfamiliar on Netflix © Courtesy of Netflix

Meanwhile, another person wrote: “I never usually trust what’s trending on Netflix but I tried Unfamiliar and finished it all yesterday. If you enjoyed The Americans, you’ll love this. Tense, fast paced action-packed (lost a little momentum towards the end). I’d highly recommend.”

A third penned: “What a fantastic spy thriller! Interesting plot. Great pacing. Well-written characters. It has been the most interesting show I’ve watched in a while.”

What is Unfamiliar about?© Sasha Ostrov / Netflix

What is Unfamiliar about?

The German series opens with the Schäfers, Meret and Simon, celebrating their daughter Nina’s 16th birthday. But when they receive a call from an injured man asking for help, the former German foreign intelligence (BND) agents grow suspicious – especially as the man’s wounds are self-inflicted, he is behaving erratically and they cannot work out who he is.

The Netflix synopsis continues: “The person who sent the man to them? Josef Koleev (Finzi), a high-ranking Russian military intelligence (GRU) officer suspected of espionage and who recently arrived in Berlin.

Media Image© Stephan Rabold / Netflix

“At the safe house, Simon and Meret know they have a problem when the man who won’t identify himself hints at a disastrous mission from 16 years ago in Belarus, one that involved the villainous Koleev.

“That mission set them on their current path, and has defined their family’s life ever since – whether all of them are aware of it or not. When new details emerge, Nina realizes just how many skeletons are in her parents’ closet, and Meret uncovers Simon’s greatest betrayal. Can the couple grapple with their past to save their family’s future? Or will their secrets be their undoing?”

Unfamiliar on Netflix© Courtesy of Netflix

Who stars in Unfamiliar?

Susanne Wolff (Styx) and Felix Kramer (Dogs of Berlin) lead the series as Meret and Simon Schäfer, while Maja Bons (Die Akademie) plays their daughter Nina.

They are joined by Samuel Finzi (How to Be Really Bad) as Josef Koleev, Andreas Pietschmann (Dark) as Jonas Auken, Henry Hübchen (Go for Zucker) as Gregor Klein and Seyneb Saleh (Mute) as Julika Ritter.

Media Image© Courtesy of Netflix

Other cast members include Genija Rykova (Servus Baby) as Vera Koleev, Natalia Belitski (Shakespeares letzte Runde) as Katya Volkova and Aaron Altaras (Unorthodox) as Mark Sinclair.

Rounding out the cast are Laurence Rupp (Barbarians II) as Ben Krüger, Sina Martens (Delicious) as Alice Belmont and Anand Batbileg Chuluunbaatar (Wild Republic) as Yul Batbaatar.