A New Netflix Show Will Have Sigmund Freud Chasing A Serial Killer

A Dangerous Method Sigmund Freud Viggo Mortensen
(Image credit: Sony Classic Pictures)

Prepare to enjoy some psychoanalysis. Netflix has signed on for its first original Austrian drama, the new German-language series Freud. The deal will enable Netflix to stream the show outside of Austria, where it will debut on a local broadcaster. Netflix will stream the series in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, among other markets. So what is Freud about? Here is what you need to know.

As its title suggests, the historical fiction series will center upon the neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud in his early days, as he attempts to bring down a serial killer stalking the streets of Vienna during the 19th century. Aiding Sigmund Freud in his investigative efforts are medium Fleur Salomé, and a gruff police detective and war veteran by the name of Kiss. With that said, three very intriguing characters will be at the fore of the series.

So like TNT's The Alienist, the new Netflix show is a costume drama and a murder mystery combined, while also featuring psychological study as part of its premise. All things considered, fans of the TNT series should be fans of the Netflix series. With so many mystery series earning a moment as of late, there is reason to believe Freud will be a worthy addition to the genre.

Along with news of Netflix's deal on the series, Variety reports that no cast has been announced for the series. There are some juicy roles to be had here, and it will be interesting to see who ends up with them.

Unlike David Cronenberg's biographically-centered film A Dangerous Method, which starred Viggo Mortensen as Sigmund Freud, the television show will be an outright fictional affair. And Freud sounds like an incredibly compelling one at that. Putting a well-known historical figure such as Sigmund Freud at the fore of solving a case like this given his development of psychoanalysis could make for great television.

And considering its bones, you could imagine it going on for multiple seasons with Freud and his partners taking on a new case every season. It will be interesting to see if the medium is given credence as a person with real abilities or as a con artist. There is drama to be had in either scenario.

Given Netflix's success with the German-language sci-fi drama Dark, Freud seems primed to experience a similar response, which led to Dark's renewal for a second season. Thanks to Netflix, audiences all over the world can see original series from across the globe. Now Freud will join them. A premiere date for the crime drama has not been announced yet, so stay tuned.

Wondering what else is coming to Netflix? For other content set to arrive on the streamer this year, check out our 2018 Netflix premiere rundown. When you are done with that, take a look at our guide to Amazon Prime's premiere schedule. For new upcoming and returning television shows you can watch while staying cool, check out CinemaBlend's guide to TV's summer premieres.

Britt Lawrence

Like a contented Hallmark movie character, Britt happily lives in the same city she grew up in. Along with movies and television, she is passionate about competitive figure skating. She has been writing about entertainment for 5 years, and as you may suspect, still finds it as entertaining to do as when she began.