Jossi on Arte: An actor invents a new identity to land the role of a lifetime

A casting lie draws an entire family into Jossi, the German comedy airing on Arte. Wanja Germann, an actor struggling to find work, sees a chance to land a leading role. The production is looking for a Jewish actor; he claims to be Jewish, then has to embody this invented identity.

Jannik Schümann plays the young man, the son of Russian restaurateurs who have settled in Berlin. His encounter with Dana Gold, an actress played by Nilam Farooq, further complicates matters: she is involved in the film project and must not find out about his deception. Wanja’s loved ones are soon drawn into the fallout from his claims.

Directed by Wolfgang Groos and created by Dimitrij Schaad, the series blends family comedy with questions of belonging and cultural appropriation. The plot starts with the acting profession, its auditions and its rules of representation, to follow a character who is unable to set the record straight. The six episodes tell a single story, produced by Odeon Fiction for SWR and Arte.

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For more, check out our selection of films, series and shows to watch on TV this week, our guide to new releases across all platforms and today’s picks in What to watch streaming today.

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