Just one week after its February 5 premiere, Netflix’s latest German original series Unfamiliar has stormed into the global Top 10, captivating audiences with its intense mix of espionage, family drama, and unrelenting suspense. This six-episode limited thriller is the perfect binge for fans of intelligent spy stories like The Americans or Slow Horses — and it’s already being hailed as one of 2026’s standout releases.
Starring acclaimed German actors Susanne Wolff (Styx) as Meret Schäfer and Felix Kramer (Dogs of Berlin) as Simon Schäfer, Unfamiliar follows a married couple who left their dangerous lives as agents behind to raise their teenage daughter in Berlin. They now quietly operate a safe house for intelligence operatives — until a gravely injured stranger arrives on their doorstep during their daughter’s birthday celebration.
What unfolds is a pulse-pounding race against time as old enemies, Russian agents, hitmen, and buried secrets resurface, forcing the couple not only to fight for survival but to confront the lies straining their marriage. As Netflix teases: “Their biggest challenge isn’t car chases or shootouts — it’s telling each other the truth.”
Critics and viewers alike are raving about the series’ smart scripting by creator Paul Coates, atmospheric Berlin setting (including rare filming at real German intelligence headquarters), and powerhouse performances from Wolff and Kramer. “A bingeable series packed with mystery,” one review notes, while fans on social media compare its dry wit and moral complexity to modern classics in the genre.
With only six tightly paced episodes, Unfamiliar delivers non-stop twists without unnecessary filler — making it ideal for a weekend marathon.
Don’t miss out on Netflix’s hottest new thriller. Stream Unfamiliar now, exclusively on Netflix!
