Marco Girnth is leaving SOKO Leipzig after 25 years – a farewell with heart

Marco Girnth is leaving SOKO Leipzig after 25 years – a farewell with heart

After almost 25 years of service, Marco Girnth announces his departure from the popular ZDF series “SOKO Leipzig”. The actor, who has appeared in over 500 episodes since the first episode as Chief Detective Jan Maybach, is giving up an era of dazzling criminal cases and intensive investigations. “It breaks my heart to let my series character ‘Jan Maybach’ leave the circle of his great colleagues,” says Girnth about the touching farewell. But despite the difficult decision, he is also optimistic about the future and sees new opportunities on the horizon. Joyn.de reports that the step is the result of an intense phase in his life.

At the same time, Girnth announced that filming of its final scenes will be completed this month. The actor was particularly stimulated to think by turning 50 years old. “The time has come for a new beginning,” he explains as he looks towards his future work. For now, its last episode has the working title “Jan” and will be part of the 26th season, which will be broadcast until spring 2026, according to HNA.de.

A look back at his career

The native of North Rhine-Westphalia quickly became a popular figure in the series and left a lasting impression on viewers. Over the years, not only his character but also the entire series has changed. Girnth points out that the development of character-driven storylines and the move to the prime-night slot brought big changes. “The series has evolved a lot during my time,” he reflects.

Although Girnth is saying goodbye to “SOKO Leipzig”, he will not completely disappear from the television landscape. In addition to projects like “Spring” and “Practice with a Sea View,” he plans to continue working in the acting field. However, he has not yet announced any specific new projects, which further fuels the curiosity of his fans.

The importance of television

Girnth's farewell also sheds light on the changes in German television, especially with regard to series formats such as “SOKO Leipzig”. The long tradition of crime films that offer self-contained episodes is reflected in the popularity of these formats. More than just entertainment, such series represent a cultural mirror that addresses social changes and their effects. The evolution of television plays into series is an example of how television has changed over the decades. [BPB.de](https://www.bpb.de/themen/medien-journismus/deutsche- Fernsehengeschichte-in-ost-und-west/244563/konzepte-und-entwicklungen/) describes that functional series such as “Tatort” and “Polizeiruf 110” continue to enjoy great popularity and address a wide range of social issues.

Marco Girnth's departure marks the end of a chapter not only for him, but also for the fans of "SOKO Leipzig" who have rooted for him over the years. We can only hope that his last case as Jan Maybach will be a fitting farewell that honors the loyalty of the audience.