Germany needs geniuses

A fascinating character. Exquisite sets. A wig for every era. The stars, creators and crew reveal how the hit series about a chess prodigy came to life.

In a 1950s orphanage, a young girl reveals an astonishing talent for chess and begins an unlikely journey to stardom while grappling with addiction.

Just what makes Germans so successful? They work fewer hours, yet they are more productive and their economy is the most successful in Europe. Even David Cameron says we should strive to be more like them. In a bid to discover their secret, Justin and Bee Rowlatt head to the manufacturing city of Nuremberg with two of their children. Under the tuition of advertising expert PJ, whose company has done detailed research into the typical German, they set out to live, work and socialise the German way.