The ARD crime series 'Nord bei Nordwest' is set in the idyllic but fictional Baltic village of Schwanitz. In reality, the location does not exist and is pieced together from various sites in northern Germany, mainly on the island of Fehmarn. The series enjoys high ratings, with new episodes starting in early 2026.
The popular crime series 'Nord bei Nordwest' on ARD's Erstes is filmed at various locations in Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, and Lower Saxony. The fictional town of Schwanitz, surrounded by sea and fields, has a high crime rate despite its peaceful appearance. Lead actor Hinnerk Schönemann, playing Hauke Jacobs, says: 'In that peaceful but fictional Baltic town of Schwanitz [...] quite a lot happens.' People disappear and become victims of crimes.
Commissioner Hannah Wagner's (Jana Klinge) thatched-roof house is at the south beach of Fehmarn Island in the Camping- and Ferienpark Wulfener Hals, rented as a vacation home. Beach walks of characters Hauke, Jule, and Hannah take place on a nearby narrow pebble beach, often with dog Holly. Producer Claudia Schröder estimates Schwanitz's population at 500 to 1000 and names Orth on Fehmarn as the town's heart.
Hauke's houseboat 'Princess of Schwanitz' is docked in Orth harbor; in reality, it is 'MS Seeadler I' from Wismar. The police station is a brick building in Altengamme near Hamburg on Kirchenstegel Street, 150 kilometers from Fehmarn. The veterinary practice is in Neuengamme, also in Hamburg, and was once a real practice. The village pub 'Pension Ahab' was filmed at the former 'Hotel zur Post' in Geesthacht, which is set for modernization.
Dog Holly is really named Finn, born in 2012, trained by Marco Heyse in Wenzendorf. From episode 25, nephew Fritz takes over the role. Specific scenes: Episode 26 in Lüneburg, episode 27 in the 'Nolden-Haus' in Großhansdorf, episode 28 in Waldhaus Beimoor near Ahrensburg. Thousands search Google yearly for 'Where is Schwanitz?'. Schröder explains: 'You never find everything you need in one place.' The name is inspired by author Dietrich Schwanitz.
