First look: Production begins on Netflix’s 1899

Staff writer

Production is now underway on Netflix’s 1899, and a new teaser and image gives us a first at look at the new mystery series from the creators of Dark.

The eight-part show revolves around a migrant steamship heading west to leave the old continent from London to New York. The passengers, a mixed bag of European origins, are united by their hopes and dreams for the new century and their future abroad. When they discover another migrant ship adrift on open sea, their journey takes an unexpected turn. What they find on board will turn their passage to the promised land into a horrifying nightmare.

Jantje Friese and Baran bo Odar have assembled an international cast including Emily Beecham, Aneurin Barnard, Andreas Pietschmann, Miguel Bernardeau, Maciej Musial, Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen, Rosalie Craig, Clara Rosager, Maria Erwolter, Yann Gael, Mathilde Ollivier, José Pimentão, Isabella Wei, Gabby Wong, Jonas Bloquet, Fflyn Edwards, Alexandre Willaume and Anton Lasser, among others. The characters will each speak in the language of their origin.

Filming will take place in a new, custom-built virtual production stage – the largest LED “Volume” of its kind in Europe – situated at the long-standing Babelsberg Studios, outside Berlin. It is owned by Dark Bay, which was set up by Friese and Odar’s production company, Dark Ways, and Studio Babelsberg with Netflix backing.

Rachel Eggebeen, Director EMEA Netflix Originals, adds: “We are extremely happy that we could support Jantje and Bo in finding a perfect solution for their creative vision for 1899. The virtual production stage infrastructure will create new opportunities, and we’re fully committed to bringing these technological advances to the German entertainment industry.”