A Dortmund court is reportedly awaiting paperwork as former schnitzel stand owners Günther Kuballa and Wolfgang Krettek file a patent application, according to the ARD Mediathek. The pair, played by Armin Rohde and Ludger Pistor respectively, are seeking to protect their signature schnitzel breading recipe, a move spurred by financial difficulties following the closure of their restaurant.
The application comes amidst a personal crisis for Krettek, who has recently been contacted by a young woman claiming to be his biological daughter, the result of a previously undisclosed sperm donation. The woman, identified as Ta (Purnima Grätz), is demanding 5,000 euros to remain silent, threatening to reveal the information to Krettek’s wife, Karin (Therese Hämer). Kuballa has offered to falsely claim paternity to shield his friend, a decision that has complicated the duo’s already precarious situation.
The comedic film, titled “Das Millionenschnitzel,” marks the sixth installment in a long-running series of WDR productions featuring the characters of Kuballa and Krettek. The series began approximately 15 years ago, according to Digitalfernsehen.de, and has consistently drawn audiences with its portrayal of working-class life in the Ruhr region. Rohde has described the pair as “Stehaufmännchen des Schicksals” – figures who repeatedly bounce back from adversity – and emphasized the unique dynamic he shares with Pistor, comparing their working relationship to that of a family.
The WDR press lounge reports that the film was shot in Cologne, Bonn, and Dortmund between April and May 2025. The cast also includes Cristina do Rego, Ramona Kunze-Libnow, Inga Busch, Stephan Luca, Luise Berndt, Moritz Bäckerling, Corinna Nilson, Katharina Schmalenberg, Miles Hafeneth, and Tanja Schleiff. Gabriele Graf and Katja Kittendorf wrote the screenplay, and Wolfgang Murnberger directed the film.
The film premiered on February 27, 2026, on Das Erste and was made available online in the ARD Mediathek on February 26, 2026. The ARD Mediathek listing indicates the program will be available until February 27, 2027. The WDR has indicated the duo’s continued popularity and the potential for future installments in the series, citing the characters’ relatable humor and ability to overcome challenges as key factors in their success.
