Blood brothers: Crime fighters’ bromance keeps fans hooked
Sometimes, it’s necessary to give the fans what they want. In the case of acclaimed crime thriller Vienna Blood, the most common answer is simply “more”. More criminality, more romance, and without a doubt, more early 20th Century decadence. Shot on location in Austria, the show is bristling with sumptuous interiors. And the third series also makes the most of the architectural wonders of neighbouring Hungary.
“We were starting to exhaust Vienna’s 1900s locations,” says actor Matthew Beard, who plays English doctor Max Liebermann in the series. “It’s really exciting to see this new place and new people and lots of new locations.”
A loyal and unwavering fanbase is hooked on the meandering exploits and criminal investigations of Max and Detective Inspector Oskar Rheinhardt (Juergen Maurer).
Beard’s character is fascinated by the macabre minds of psychopaths, studying under the tutelage of acclaimed neurologist Sigmund Freud. His collaboration with Oskar, an astute and fastidious detective, suggests a continental incarnation of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.
Led by Academy Award-nominated Austrian director Robert Dornhelm, series three presented a different dynamic – particularly where the weight of ongoing geopolitical world events were concerned.
“We have the Ukrainian war next door, so we go from a pandemic to the war,” says Dornhelm. “It doesn’t affect us, at least practically. But mentally, we’re all aware that we’re going from one troubled time period to the next.”
Conflict aside, it’s a series that intertwines dark criminality with a healthy helping of romance. Based on the best-selling Liebermann novels by Frank Tallis, the series spans three feature-length episodes. Despite the characters (and their temperaments) remaining steadfast, each instalment features a singular backdrop – whether that be the dog-eat-dog world of high fashion or Asian-influenced political upheaval.
Of course, Vienna Blood would not be complete without romance. Continuing his character’s lacklustre form in matters of the heart, Beard notes the forthcoming series has “love triangles all over the place”. But it’s he and Oskar’s working partnership that appears to have fans begging for more.
“The relationship that works best within the whole thing is ours,” he admits.
Vienna Blood, BBC2, Wednesday, 9pm