The new Münster Tatort episode 'The Invention of the Wheel' marks the farewell to the popular supporting character, prosecutor Wilhelmine Klemm. Actress Mechthild Großmann is leaving the series after 47 appearances over 24 years. The goodbye deeply moves even Detective Thiel.
The episode 'The Invention of the Wheel', produced by WDR and directed by Sophie Seitz, features the final appearance of the chain-smoking prosecutor Wilhelmine Klemm in the Münster Tatort. Actress Mechthild Großmann, who portrayed the character since 2001, is exiting the ARD crime series on her own accord. Over 24 years, she appeared in 47 episodes, missing only one: the sixth Münster Tatort, 'One Corpse Too Many', from 2004.
Klemm stood out as a distinctive character, enriching the series with her straightforward manner and wit. The farewell episode stages her departure with emotional depth. At the end, the usually tough Detective Thiel, played by Axel Prahl, stammers: "May I hear it one more time?", alluding to one of the prosecutor's signature lines. The installment slightly mythologizes Klemm while highlighting her genuine presence in the show.
This goodbye highlights the longevity of Tatort, which has retained loyal viewers for decades. Großmann's choice reflects shifts in the acting industry, where performers seek new paths after extended commitments.