‘Sherlock’ writer is adapting 1900s crime drama ‘Vienna Blood’ for BBC

The BBC has acquired a new period crime drama series set in Austria.

Sherlock writer Steve Thompson has adapted the best-selling Liebermann novels by Frank Tallis for television.

Vienna Blood stars Matthew Beard (The Imitation Game) and Austrian actor Juergen Maurer (Vorstadtweiber).

The cast also includes stars Conleth Hill (Game Of Thrones), Charlene McKenna (Ripper Street), Amelia Bullmore (Gentleman Jack) and Jessica De Gouw (Dracula).

The series of three feature-length episodes is set in 1900s Vienna, “a hot bed of philosophy, science and art, where a clash of cultures and ideas play out in the city’s grand cafes and opera houses.”

The official synopsis reads: “Max Liebermann (Matthew Beard) is a brilliant young English doctor, studying under the famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. When Max comes into contact with Oskar Rheinhardt (Juergen Maurer), an Austrian Detective Inspector struggling with a strange case, he offers his assistance.

“Max’s extraordinary skills of perception and forensics, and his deep understanding of human behaviour and deviance, help Oskar solve some of Vienna’s most mysterious and deadly cases.”

Sue Deeks, BBC Head of Programme Acquisition, commented: “Vienna Blood is a unique, ambitious and compelling crime drama, set in glorious Vienna during an extraordinary period in its history. We are excited to be bringing it to BBC Two.”

Hilary Bevan Jones, Managing Director of Endor Productions, added: “We are delighted BBC Two has acquired Vienna Blood. We are proud to have brought Frank Tallis’ outstanding novels to life in the historic and beautiful city of Vienna. The chemistry between the lead actors Matthew Beard and Juergen Maurer creates a fresh and unique TV partnership which is wonderfully complemented by an exceptional international cast.”

Filmed on location in Vienna, Austria, Vienna Blood will air in the UK later this year on BBC Two.

Frank Tallis’s Liebermann novels are available on Amazon.