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Entertainment • TV Series

Dark

Dark is a German science fiction thriller television series created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese for Netflix.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Dark is a German science fiction thriller television series created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese for Netflix. It follows four interconnected families in the fictional town of Winden after a child disappears, leading to a mystery involving time travel and multiple generations. The series was Netflix's first original German-language production and ran for three seasons from 2017 to 2020.

Premise

The series follows four families in Winden as they investigate a child’s disappearance. The search uncovers long-hidden secrets and a time-travel mystery tied to events across several decades, spanning three generations of interconnected characters.

Production

Dark was created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese and released by Netflix as its first original German-language series. The series was produced in Germany and presented in German.

Release and reception

Dark premiered on Netflix on December 1, 2017, and ended with a third season in 2020. It was widely discussed as a complex, ambitious science fiction mystery series and received strong audience attention.

Themes and style

The series combines family drama, crime, and supernatural science fiction. Its plot structure is known for interwoven timelines, recurring characters, and interconnected family histories.

Key facts

  • Dark was Netflix's first original German-language series.
  • The series ran for three seasons from 2017 to 2020.
  • Its story begins with a missing child in the fictional German town of Winden.
  • The narrative expands into a time-travel plot spanning three generations.
  • Dark is available on Netflix in Canada and has been widely discussed among Canadian viewers.
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Canadian context

Dark is available through Netflix in Canada and has been discussed widely among Canadian viewers as one of the platform's most notable international originals.

Frequently asked questions

What is Dark about?
It is about four families in the German town of Winden searching for a missing child and uncovering a larger time-travel mystery.
Who created Dark?
Dark was created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese.
How many seasons does Dark have?
Dark has three seasons.
When did Dark first release?
It premiered on Netflix on December 1, 2017.
What language is Dark in?
The original language is German.
Was Dark a Netflix original?
Yes. It was Netflix's first original German-language series.

References

  1. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/80100172
    Supports: Official title page with release year, seasons, rating, genre, premise, cast, and creators.
  2. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/de/title/80100172
    Supports: German-language official page confirming title, seasons, rating, premise, cast, and creators.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/dark
    Supports: Synopsis, genre, original release date, network, creators, and characterization as Netflix's first German original series.
  4. DW — https://www.dw.com/en/dark-final-series-of-time-travelling-saga-hits-netflix/a-53958003
    Supports: Final season timing and description as Netflix's first original German-language series.
  5. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/dark
    Supports: Series premise, mature content, premiere date, and TV-MA classification context.
  6. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5753856/
    Supports: Series title, years active, and basic premise.