Tatort Frankfurt: “Fackel” – A Cold Case Ignites New Tensions
Frankfurt am Main, Sunday, 22 March 2026. Tonight, the ARD broadcasts “Fackel,” the third case for Frankfurt’s still-new Tatort duo. Detectives Maryam Azadi (Melika Foroutan) and Hamza Kulina (Edin Hasanović) find themselves investigating a years-old high-rise fire with 13 fatalities, a case that forces them to confront powerful corporate interests and painful personal history.
A Legacy of Pain and Unanswered Questions
The episode “Fackel” centres on a deadly fire in a Frankfurt high-rise, a cold case that continues to haunt the victims’ families. When new evidence surfaces, the case is reopened, dragging the past into the present.
Kulina’s Personal Stake
For Commissioner Hamza Kulina, the investigation becomes intensely personal. At a vigil, he encounters his ex-girlfriend Almila (Seyneb Saleh), who lost her mother in the blaze. Her desperate search for justice and truth places Kulina directly between his professional duties and old loyalties.
Systemic Resistance
Azadi and Kulina quickly realise they are not just solving a crime but battling systemic resistance from within their own ranks. Their investigation points towards a major construction materials corporation, suggesting the fire’s causes may have been deliberately obscured.
The Frankfurt Duo Comes of Age
“Fackel” represents a significant step for the Frankfurt team, which only took over the iconic slot in autumn 2025. Critics suggest this episode sees them reaching the “first league” of Tatort investigator duos, tackling a complex, socially relevant narrative that echoes real-world tragedies.
Cast and Production Details
The film, produced in April and May 2025, features a strong supporting cast including Judith Engel, Gordana Boban, and Katharina Heyer. The plot weaves a critical look at corporate accountability and climate rhetoric into a classic crime procedural.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is “Tatort: Fackel” airing?
The episode is scheduled for broadcast on Sunday, 22 March 2026, on ARD.
Who are the main detectives in the Frankfurt Tatort?
The team consists of Commissioner Maryam Azadi, played by Melika Foroutan, and Commissioner Hamza Kulina, played by Edin Hasanović.
Is “Fackel” based on a true story?
While fictional, the episode’s themes of a deadly high-rise fire and subsequent cover-up strongly recall real-world construction disasters and investigative reports, such as those analysing facade systems and deeper systemic failures.
How many episodes have the Frankfurt detectives had?
“Fackel” is the third case for the duo of Azadi and Kulina.