Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten

1992 • TMDB 5.4 • 35 seasons • Drama, Soap

Overview

First broadcast on RTL in 1992, Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten — Good Times, Bad Times — is Germany’s longest-running daily soap and a Berlin institution. The series follows the residents of a fictional neighborhood in the capital, where young people in their late teens and twenties fall in love, fall out, build careers and break hearts, all within a few streets of each other. Love triangles, jealousy, revenge, betrayal and family secrets are the show’s daily currency, and its fast pace means a single week can upend several relationships at once. Over three decades, the cast has turned over many times, yet the show’s heart has stayed the same: ordinary young Berliners navigating extraordinary drama.

What makes GZSZ endure is its ability to reinvent itself while keeping familiar anchors. Long-serving characters such as Jo Gerner provide continuity, while new generations bring fresh stories about work, friendship and romance in a changing Berlin. The show has launched countless German acting careers and become part of the country’s television furniture, watched by viewers who grew up with it and passed it on. For anyone curious about German popular culture, or simply looking for a long-running soap with real momentum, Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten is the place to start — good times and bad, daily.

Creator and Main Cast

A long-running RTL daily soap. Main cast includes Wolfgang Bahro as Jo Gerner, Daniel Fehlow as Leon Moreno, Felix von Jascheroff as John Bachmann, Ulrike Frank as Katrin Flemming, Anne Menden as Emily Höfer, Jörn Schlönvoigt as Philip Höfer, Frank-Thomas Mende as Clemens Richter, and Lisa Riecken as Elisabeth Meinhart.

Seasons Snapshot

• Early seasons (1992–2002) — The Berlin neighborhood is established and the soap becomes a German TV fixture.
• Middle seasons (2002–2016) — New generations arrive as long-running characters anchor love, family and business drama.
• Recent seasons (2016–2026) — Season 35 continues the daily run with fresh faces alongside veteran favorites.

Why Watch Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten

Because it is a masterclass in daily drama: fast, emotional and endlessly watchable, with decades of history behind every new twist. If you enjoy soaps that move quickly and reward regular viewing, Berlin’s most famous neighborhood is worth moving into.

Trailer

Watch official clips and trailers on YouTube via RTL’s official channels.

Where to Watch

Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten is not widely listed for US streaming, so availability may be limited to German broadcast and related services; checked against JustWatch US listings on October 29, 2026; check the JustWatch US page for Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten for the latest options.