The show was first broadcast in October 1967. The picture here comes from an issue from 1988 and shows the then investigator Eduard Zimmermann with his assistant Sabine Zimmermann.Image: imago stock&people
“File number XY… unsolved” has become a brand for ZDF over the decades. Now the station is expanding the concept further and is specifically focusing on new narrative forms in its early evening programming.
March 22, 2026, 3:17 p.mMarch 22, 2026, 3:17 p.m
Jennifer Ullrich / watson.de
When a TV classic remains successful over decades, it is rarely a coincidence. “File number XY… unsolved” is one of those formats that continually reinvent itself without losing its core.
There are now several offshoots on television and a podcast, and it shouldn’t stay that way. Now ZDF is not focusing on completely new cases, but rather on an in-depth analysis.
New “XY” format on ZDF: That’s what it’s all about
With “XY Traces of Crime”, ZDF is bringing a new offshoot of the well-known series to television. As the broadcaster announced in a statement, the format will start on May 6th and will run on Wednesdays at 7:25 p.m. in the early evening program.
The episodes will also be available in the streaming area from 10 a.m. on the same day.
The focus is on cases that have already been dealt with in “Case number XY… unsolved”. These will be taken up again and supplemented with new findings. The aim is to clarify open questions from previous broadcasts and trace developments.
The show is moderated by Helene Reiner, who speaks to those affected and their relatives. The contributions are supplemented by assessments from experts. Fabian Puchelt from the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office is there regularly, who classifies the perspective of the investigative authorities.
In order to replace missing images or to ensure victim protection, ZDF relies on a special visual implementation. Parts of the stories are presented as graphic novels; Saba Bussmann and Uta Röttgers are responsible for the design.
Each episode is dedicated to a specific topic. It starts with missing persons cases, followed by programs about kidnappings, serial murders, crimes against prostitutes and femicides, among other things.
“File number XY… unsolved”: long-running hit on ZDF
It is not surprising that ZDF is continuing to expand the “XY” cosmos. The original “Aktenzeichen XY… unsolved” started in 1967 and has been one of the most successful formats in the program for decades.
It was only last January that the reach exploded after a long broadcast break: 5.2 million people tuned in. In February it was significantly less at 4.42 million, but that is still a value that most other programs can only dream of.