500 episodes SOKO Wismar: Murder in a beach chair – An anniversary under suspicion!

500 episodes SOKO Wismar: Murder in a beach chair – An anniversary under suspicion!

November 19, 2025 is a very special day for all fans of the ZDF crime series “SOKO Wismar”: ZDF is broadcasting the 500th episode, with a highly exciting case that will captivate viewers. As part of the popular “SOKO” series, which has been running since 2004, the series now has more than 21 years of history behind it and is one of the longest-lasting crime formats on German television. This anniversary episode is titled “Death in a Beach Chair” and will air at 6:00 p.m.

The setting for this episode is the picturesque Baltic Sea coast, which is known not only for its beautiful landscape but also for a mysterious criminal case. In “Death in the Beach Chair,” the body of travel influencer Carina Wilde is found, who at the time of her death was working on what was probably the most famous event in the Beach Chair District, the Beach Chair European Championships. The influencer drew attention with 1.2 million followers and planned to document the event, in which beach chairs were carried 20 meters through the sand. The circumstances of her death leave room for speculation as there are several suspects in the room.

The suspects and their motive

The murders tend to attract a very particular audience because they provide insight into the human psyche. This is also the case here: The suspects include Carina's manager Nina Sold, whose beach chair rental is the focus, the "hobby revolutionary" Peter Ehlers, who has publicly taken a stand against the event, and Florian Albertsen, the owner of a beach café, whose relationship with Carina was problematic. This groundbreaking case promises not only excitement, but also enlightenment about the motives of the protagonists.

The development of this crime series is remarkable. With over 500 episodes, “SOKO Wismar” has more episodes than most other offshoots of the “SOKO” series. Only “SOKO Leipzig” has more stories to tell. This series has a number of significant episodes, starting with the first episode “Trojan Horse” in 2004 to the most successful episode “The Curse of Poel”, which attracted over 4.13 million viewers in 2021. The number of viewers for “SOKO Wismar” has often exceeded 4.5 million in recent years.

A look at crime in Germany

The topics that “SOKO Wismar” deals with are particularly relevant when you look at the current crime situation in Germany. According to police crime statistics, there has been a decrease in crimes, but certain crimes that affect people's sense of security are increasing. It often happens that these crime novels not only entertain viewers, but also raise awareness of topics that are often ignored in everyday life. In 2024, there was a decrease of 1.7% to around 5.84 million crimes processed, mainly due to the partial legalization of cannabis.

In the animated exchange about the background to the criminal cases, the dramatic reality is sometimes shown in “SOKO Wismar” in a way that also stimulates reflection. In contrast to fictional cases, statistics show that crime cases affecting personal freedom account for a significant proportion of crime. For example, the proportion of crimes against life, i.e. murder and manslaughter, was only 0.1% in 2024, but every investigation that describes it is of great social importance.

On November 19, 2025, viewers will not only see an exciting criminal case, but also a journey into the history of a format that has thrilled young and old for over two decades. “SOKO Wismar” shows that crime novels are not just entertainment, but can also provide a comprehensive picture of society by delving deeply into the human psyche.

For everyone who would like to experience the atmosphere of the series up close, there is also a book called “SOKO Wismar: A travel guide to the crime scenes”, which presents the particularly striking locations in the series. This book will certainly bring fans a lot of joy and provide an even more intense viewing experience.

“SOKO Wismar” not only remains an integral part of German television culture, but also a reflection of social phenomena in the area of ​​crime and public interest. Take a look when it says: The “Death in a Beach Chair” case is on the table!