---
name: "Christian Berkel"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/christian-berkel"
fi1m_id: "christian-berkel"
imdb_id: "nm0075321"
tmdb_id: 7803
wikidata_id: "Q60996"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "28 October 1957"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 74
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 7
updated: "2026-10-05T13:46:47.851430+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Christian Berkel

## Identity

Christian Berkel

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/christian-berkel
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** christian-berkel
- **IMDb ID:** nm0075321
- **TMDB ID:** 7803
- **Wikidata ID:** Q60996
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Berkel, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60996, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0075321/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7803

Actor. Born 28 October 1957 in Berlin, West Germany [now Germany].

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 28 October 1957, Berlin, West Germany [now Germany]
- **Active:** 2004–2016
- **Frequently works with:** [Paul Verhoeven](https://film.one/person/paul-verhoeven.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 74, as actor, over 7 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 79 (4), 2010s 68 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 74 to 65 across 7 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 6, Thriller 4, War 3, Action 1, Adventure 1, Comedy 1
- **Screen time:** 15 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $784m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Berkel, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60996, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0075321/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7803

## Coming up

- *Block 10* (2026-11-05), as Dr. Maximilian Samuel

## Streaming the US now

- **Tubi:** [*Downfall*](https://film.one/film/downfall.md) (81), [*Black Book*](https://film.one/film/black-book.md) (80)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Elle*](https://film.one/film/elle.md) (82)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*The Man from U.N.C.L.E.*](https://film.one/film/the-man-from-u-n-c-l-e.md) (64)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Biography

Christian Berkel is a German actor. He was born on 28 October 1957 in Berlin. From the age of 14 he lived in Paris, where he took drama lessons with Jean-Louis Barrault and Pierre Berlin. He trained at the German Film and Television Academy in Berlin and appeared on stage in Augsburg, Düsseldorf, Munich, Vienna and at the Schiller Theatre.

Berkel has appeared in many German television productions. He is known for his role as Prof. Dr. Ernst-Günter Schenck in *Downfall* (2004). Other film roles include *The Experiment* (2001), *Black Book* (2006), *Valkyrie* (2008), *Inglourious Basterds* (2009) and *The Man from U.N.C.L.E.* (2015). Since 2006 he has starred as chief inspector Bruno Schumann in the series *Der Kriminalist*.

He lives in Berlin with actress Andrea Sawatzki, with whom he has two sons. He speaks English and French.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (7)

- *Elle* (2016), Fi1m 82, as Robert — [page](https://film.one/film/elle.md)
- *The Man from U.N.C.L.E.* (2015), Fi1m 64, as Udo — [page](https://film.one/film/the-man-from-u-n-c-l-e.md)
- *Trumbo* (2015), Fi1m 58, as Otto Preminger — [page](https://film.one/film/trumbo.md)
- *Inglourious Basterds* (2009), Fi1m 92, as Proprietor Eric — [page](https://film.one/film/inglourious-basterds.md)
- *Black Book* (2006), Fi1m 80, as General Käutner — [page](https://film.one/film/black-book.md)
- *Flightplan* (2005), Fi1m 63, as Mortuary Director — [page](https://film.one/film/flightplan.md)
- *Downfall* (2004), Fi1m 81, as Prof. Dr. Ernst-Günter Schenck — [page](https://film.one/film/downfall.md)

## Complete filmography (118)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Block 10* (2026), as Dr. Maximilian Samuel
- *Ein Taxi für zwei* (2025), as Gregor Basil
- *Entführen für Anfänger* (2024), as Adam Lansky
- *Querschuss* (2024), as Andreas · Producer
- *The Blond Boy from the Casbah* (2023), as Sania
- *Black Box* (2023), as Erik Behr
- *Hijack* (2023), series, as Roland Murnau — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/hijack.md)
- *Unser Verein: "Eisern Union!"* (2022), as Narrator (voice)
- *A Retribution* (2022), as Simon Wiesenthal
- *Trügerische Sicherheit* (2022), as Magnus Mittendorf
- *Furia* (2021), series, as Minister Hardenberg
- *Sportabzeichen für Anfänger* (2021), as Bertram Dinkler
- *Enfant Terrible* (2020), as Interviewer
- *Die verlorene Tochter* (2020), series, as Heinrich von Gems
- *The Magic Kids: Three Unlikely Heroes* (2020), as Louis Ziffer
- *Realm of the Volga* (2019), series, as Narrator
- *Criminal: Germany* (2019), series, as Steffen Marquardt
- *Beat* (2018), series, as Richard Diemer
- *What Doesn't Kill Us* (2018), as Mark
- *Scheidung für Anfänger* (2018), as Christoph
- *In Wahrheit* (2017), series, as Erich Kupka
- *Redemption Road* (2017), series, as Jonathan Roth
- *Elle* (2016), as Robert — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/elle.md)
- *Ein gefährliches Angebot* (2016), as Michael Dithardt
- *NSU German History X* (2016), series, as Amor
- *Trumbo* (2015), as Otto Preminger — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/trumbo.md)
- *The Man from U.N.C.L.E.* (2015), as Udo — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/the-man-from-u-n-c-l-e.md)
- *Anti-Social* (2015), as Philip
- *Dreamgirls* (2015), as Herr Hegemann
- *Elly Beinhorn: Solo Flight* (2014), as Ernst Udet
- *Business as Usual - Der Prophet fliegt mit* (2014), as Pilot
- *Buddy* (2013), as Dr. Küster
- *Totenengel - Van Leeuwens zweiter Fall* (2013), as Dr. van der Meer
- *Das dunkle Nest* (2011), as Pfarrer Dr. Gabriel Reinberg
- *The Last Employee* (2011), as David Böttcher
- *The Man with the Bassoon* (2011), series, as Heinrich Bockelmann
- *Inglourious Basterds* (2009), as Proprietor Eric — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/inglourious-basterds.md)
- *Leningrad* (2009), as Vinkelmeyer
- *Valkyrie* (2008), as Albrecht Ritter Mertz von Quirnheim
- *Mogadischu* (2008), as Bundeskanzler Helmut Schmidt
- *Miracle at St. Anna* (2008), as Captain Eichholz
- *Haber* (2008), as Fritz Shimon Haber
- *Flame & Citron* (2008), as Hoffmann
- *Der andere Junge* (2007), as Jakob Wagner
- *Der Kriminalist* (2006), series, as Hauptkommissar Bruno Schumann
- *Black Book* (2006), as General Käutner — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/black-book.md)
- *Helen, Fred und Ted* (2006), as Eduard 'Ted' Fröhlich
- *Helen, Fred und Ted* (2006), series, as Eduard 'Ted' Fröhlich
- *Eine Frage des Gewissens* (2006), as Martin Beltz
- *Die Sturmflut* (2006), series, as Helmut Schmidt
- *Flightplan* (2005), as Mortuary Director — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/flightplan.md)
- *Der Vater meiner Schwester* (2005), as Dr. Klaus Merbold
- *Hexenküsse* (2005), as Herbert Zauner
- *Feuer in der Nacht* (2004), as Karl Winkler
- *Guys & Balls* (2004), as Rudolf
- *Downfall* (2004), as Prof. Dr. Ernst-Günter Schenck — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/downfall.md)
- *Soundless* (2004), as Lang
- *Der Unbestechliche* (2002), as Harald Kittler
- *Safe Conduct* (2002), as Alfred Greven
- *Erste Liebe* (2002), as Rolf Drost
- *The Experiment* (2001), as Robert Steinhoff, Prisoner Nr. 38
- *Verzweiflung* (2000), Actor
- *Blondine sucht Millionär fürs Leben* (2000), as Dietrich
- *Halt mich fest!* (2000), as Axel
- *Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht* (1999), as Richard
- *Paradise Is a Trap* (1999), as Rudi
- *Your Best Years* (1999), as Arzt
- *Sweet Little Sixteen* (1999), as Thomas Reiner
- *Tod auf Amrum* (1998), as Rolf Spiekermann
- *Der letzte Zeuge* (1998), series, as Hans Leinen, Helmut Gittel
- *Single sucht Nachwuchs* (1998), Actor
- *Die Cleveren* (1998), series, as Alfons Kleiber
- *Vickys Alptraum* (1998), as John
- *Simones Entscheidung* (1997), Actor
- *Rossini* (1997), as Weich
- *Lea Katz - Die Kriminalpsychologin: Einer von uns* (1997), as Stelzer
- *Lautlose Schritte* (1996), as Simon Sundermann
- *Gates of Fire* (1996), as Dr. Sander
- *Der Mann ohne Schatten* (1996), series, as Bruno Kuhlin
- *Spur eines Zweifels* (1995), as Jens Kolberg
- *A.S. Gefahr ist sein Geschäft* (1995), series, as Lefevre
- *Ein Herz für Laura* (1995), Actor
- *Ich, der Boss* (1995), as Victor Mazza
- *Drei Frauen und (k)ein Mann* (1995), as Patrick Lajonne
- *Inspector Rex* (1994), series, as Gregor Schell
- *Rosa Roth* (1994), series, as Maiwald
- *Die Kommissarin* (1994), series, as Walter Neumann
- *Doppelter Einsatz* (1994), series, as Sebastian van Leuyen
- *Air Albatros* (1994), series, Actor
- *Die Gerichtsreporterin* (1994), series, as Dr. Wegener
- *Gute Referenzen* (1994), Actor
- *Ein starkes Team* (1994), series, as Gerhard Brock
- *Mutter, ich will nicht sterben!* (1994), as Walter Gebhard
- *Bella Block* (1993), series, as Thomas Engler
- *Das Schicksal der Lilian H.* (1993), as Josef
- *Ein unvergeßliches Wochenende* (1993), series, Actor
- *Hecht & Haie* (1993), series, as Dr. Frenkel
- *The Devil Kissed from Behind* (1993), Actor
- *Ein toter Spieler verläßt den Tisch* (1991), Writer, Director
- *Kommissar Klefisch* (1990), series, as Terboven
- *Bastard* (1989), series, as Felix Dennison
- *Münchhausens letzte Liebe* (1988), as Wilhelm
- *Wallenstein* (1987), as Schwedischer Hauptmann
- *Wind von Südost* (1985), as Gernot
- *Das schöne irre Judenmädchen* (1984), as Friedrich, Graf von Schwerin
- *Frau Jenny Treibel* (1982), as Leopold Treibel
- *Steckbriefe* (1982), series, as Gerhard Hartung
- *A Case For Two* (1981), series, as Bernd Marquart
- *New Year's Eve* (1978), as The Young Man
- *SOKO München* (1978), series, Actor
- *The Serpent's Egg* (1977), as Student
- *Eine Jugendliebe* (1977), as Wolfgang
- *Maiden's War* (1977), as Karol Djudko
- *The Old Fox* (1977), series, as Mano Deller, Thilo Müller, Hans Fänger, Werner Kuziemsky, Erik Falter, Peter Aulan, Hausmann, Peter Larsen, Harry Westphal
- *Derrick* (1974), series, as Alex Sierich, Lussmann, Jürgen Klose, Dixi, Andy Stein, Rolf Laduhn, Psychopath, Manfred Kessler
- *Polizeiruf 110* (1971), series, as Max Ortheil
- *Scene of the Crime* (1970), series, as Uwe Pfandler, Erik Steinbeck, Rainer Wenisch, Alfred Waller, Doc Decker
- *Triptych*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Christian Berkel](https://film.one/media/person/98480/gallery-947dbea66871.jpg) Christian Berkel — Siebbi, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Christian_Berkel_Berlinale_2009.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Andrea Sawatzki, Christian Berkel; Deutscher Fernsehpreis 2009](https://film.one/media/person/98480/gallery-4a080e40dd3d.jpg) Andrea Sawatzki, Christian Berkel; Deutscher Fernsehpreis 2009 — Ben Fredericson from Germany, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3c/Andrea_Sawatzki_and_Christian_Berkel_-_Deutscher_Fernsehpreis_2009_%283964242954%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Christian Berkel at the Women's World Award 2009 (Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna, Austria).](https://film.one/media/person/98480/gallery-07000d752b1d.jpg) Christian Berkel at the Women's World Award 2009 (Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna, Austria). — Manfred Werner - Tsui, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Christian_Berkel%2C_Women%27s_World_Awards_2009_a.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Christian Berkel at the Women's World Award 2009 (Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna, Austria).](https://film.one/media/person/98480/gallery-45c3fb5f78f0.jpg) Christian Berkel at the Women's World Award 2009 (Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna, Austria). — Manfred Werner - Tsui, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Christian_Berkel%2C_Women%27s_World_Awards_2009_b.jpg/1280px-Christian_Berkel%2C_Women%27s_World_Awards_2009_b.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Christian Berkel](https://film.one/media/person/98480/gallery-292692a2b402.jpg) Christian Berkel — Image via TMDB
- ![Christian Berkel at the Women's World Award 2009 (Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna, Austria).](https://film.one/media/person/98480/gallery-a949b678986b.jpg) Christian Berkel at the Women's World Award 2009 (Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna, Austria). — Manfred Werner - Tsui, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Christian_Berkel%2C_Women%27s_World_Awards_2009_c.jpg/1280px-Christian_Berkel%2C_Women%27s_World_Awards_2009_c.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Christian Berkel (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/98480/gallery-c6977c2ffb15.jpg) Christian Berkel (2016) — Fryta 73, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/07/Christian_Berkel_%2831455473672%29.jpg/1280px-Christian_Berkel_%2831455473672%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Other awards — 1 won, 1 nominated

- Bavarian TV Awards 2014: Bavarian TV Awards (nominated), for *Der Kriminalist*
- Golden Feather 2009: Golden Feather (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/christian-berkel