'The Last Word': Release date, plot, cast, trailer and all you need to know about Netflix's German series

'The Last Word' attempts to explore the very idea of death and how it hits those directly affected by it

UPDATED AUG 31, 2020

Death is a terrifying thing. What is beyond? What do we leave behind? There is, and probably won't be, any closure or conclusion with death. Netflix's upcoming series 'The Last Word' attempts to explore the very idea of death and how it hits those directly affected by it. The series also seeks to answer the aforementioned questions through the protagonist played by German comedy star Anke Engelke.

Here is everything you need to know about the German series coming to Netflix. Although a lot of information ahead of the release is still unavailable, MEA WorldWide (MEAWW) will update this article when it is.

Release date

'The Last Word' premieres on Netflix on September 17, 2020.

Plot

The official synopsis of the series states: "Death is a bleak affair, but do funerals have to be? When her husband suddenly dies after 25 years of marriage, Karla Fazius’ (Anke Engelke) world breaks apart. Unexpectedly and to the astonishment of her family, however, she finds new energy in a new calling: she becomes a professional eulogist. On her way to regaining her own zest for life, she starts to accompany other mourners, making a great effort to break every single rule in the funeral business. Much to the regret of undertaker Andreas Borowski (Thorsten Merten). At the same time, however, she struggles to overcome her own loss, plunging her family deeper into chaos."

"The 6 episodes tell different stories of mourning, death and moving on: Sometimes funny, sometimes sad and always a bit absurd. No matter what others say: death does not have the last word!"

Cast

Anke Engelke as Karla Fazius

**Anke Engelke attends the Lola - German Film Award red carpet at Palais am Funkturm on May 3, 2019, in Berlin, Germany (Getty Images)**

Engelke plays the role of the protagonist Karla. The actress is known for 'Fröhliche Weihnachten', 'Tödliche Geheimnisse - Das Versprechen' and the hit sketch shows 'Die Wochenshow' and 'Ladykracher'. She is also known for Amazon's period spy series 'Deutschland 86'.

In a statement, the actress had expressed her thoughts behind working on 'The Last Word'. "I am very much looking forward to The Last Word and this work and journey with Netflix, Pantaleon, the wonderful director Aron Lehmann, the fantastic screenplay and amazing colleagues. Just like in real life, drama and humor are clashing constantly. Family and relationships, loss and grief, life and death, the absurdities of life, the rediscovery of strength and lust for life, it is all in there — so beautiful it makes you cry."

Thorsten Merten as Andreas Borowski

Thorsten Merten, Ursula Werner and Rainer Bock attend the 'Bornholmer Strasse' Premiere at Kino International on October 23, 2014, in Berlin, Germany (Getty Images)

Merten plays the role of the undertaker Andreas Borowski who works with Karla. The actor is known for 'Grill Point', 'Kohlhaas oder die Verhältnismäßigkeit der Mittel', 'In Berlin wächst kein Orangenbaum' and 'Tatort'.

Creators

The series is written by Aron Lehmann and Carolina Zimmermann and directed by Lehmann.

Trailers

In the trailer for the German series 'The Last Word', Karla discovers that her husband has suddenly passed away. What follows is her journey to come to terms with the death and help others along the way.

Where to watch

All six episodes of 'The Last Word' will be available to stream on Netflix on September 17, 2020.

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