Dark: Where to Watch, Episodes, Cast, and Reviews
Dark is more than just a masterclass in time travel and mystery—it’s a philosophical exploration of family, fate, and human nature. If you love complex storytelling and mind-bending plots, don’t miss it.
How many seasons and episodes does Dark have?
The German sci-fi mystery series Dark aired for three seasons, with a total of 26 episodes, running from 2017 to 2020. Each season captivated audiences with its eerie atmosphere and intricate time-bending storylines.
What is the plot/storyline of Dark? (About 500 words)
Dark is set in the fictional German town of Winden, where the disappearance of a child unravels the interwoven secrets of four families across several generations. The story begins in 2019, with the disappearance of a teenager, Erik, which sends the town into a state of anxiety and suspicion. When Ulrich Nielsen’s son, Mikkel, also mysteriously vanishes, Ulrich is reminded of his brother Mads, who vanished in a similar fashion in 1986. The events link the Nielsen, Doppler, Tiedemann, and Kahnwald families, and their secrets and interactions gradually come to light as the story’s complex timelines unfold.
As the investigation deepens, a mysterious stranger arrives in town who seems to have an uncanny understanding of the disappearances and the local nuclear power plant. The plot reveals that this is far more than a simple missing-persons case—it involves time travel, fateful cycles, and generational feuds. Set against a backdrop of nuclear power, science, and fate, the characters repeatedly travel between 1953, 1986, 2019, and even 2052. Every decision they make has profound consequences for both the past and the future.
Dark is celebrated for its airtight logic, philosophical depth, and elegant storytelling, exploring themes such as love, betrayal, desire, and collective secrecy. It asks big questions: Can we escape the chains of fate? How do humanity and existence change over the passage of time? Across three seasons, the show gradually unravels its mysteries, culminating in a breathtaking finale and earning acclaim as one of Netflix’s finest original series.
Who stars in Dark?
- Louis Hofmann as Jonas Kahnwald
- Karoline Eichhorn as Charlotte Doppler
- Lisa Vicari as Martha Nielsen
- Maja Schöne as Hannah Kahnwald
- Jördis Triebel as Katharina Nielsen
- Andreas Pietschmann as The Stranger
- Paul Lux as Bartosz Tiedemann
- Oliver Masucci as Ulrich Nielsen
- Moritz Jahn as Magnus Nielsen
- Stephan Kampwirth as Peter Doppler
- Gina Stiebitz as Franziska Doppler
- Dietrich Hollinderbäumer as Adam
- Mark Waschke as Noah
(For the full cast, see IMDb.)
Reviews for Dark
Reddit Reviews
Reddit users consistently praise Dark for its intense atmosphere, excellent acting, and outstanding visuals and music. Some viewers find its logical complexity challenging, but most fans of sci-fi mysteries appreciate its sophisticated plotting and character development, calling it “brain-bendingly brilliant.”
Douban Reviews
On Douban, Dark scores a high 9.0 for the first season (based on over 100,000 ratings) and is hailed as a masterpiece of European sci-fi thriller. Many reviews analyze the show’s timeline and character relationships, describing it as a rare drama that balances intellect, philosophy, and emotion.
IMDb Reviews
Imdb gives Dark an average score of 8.7/10, with over 500,000 votes. Reviews often describe the story as epic and the time travel structure as meticulously crafted, with deep philosophical questions and high originality—making it a truly memorable series.
Rotten Tomatoes Reviews
On Rotten Tomatoes, user ratings are as high as 92%, and Dark is widely regarded as one of the best sci-fi series. Many reviews highlight its narrative depth and character nuance, while critics also praise its visual and auditory effects.
Where to Watch Dark Online?
Currently, all three seasons of Dark are available exclusively on Netflix (including ad-supported plans). There are no free streaming platforms that offer the show.
Related Articles: The best TV Shows on Netflix of all the time