ZDF-Star's statement was not made of their own accord.

In a heartfelt announcement made on her Instagram account in July 2022, Lara Mandoki confirmed her departure from the popular German crime drama series, "Saxon Crime". The actress, who played the German-Hungarian commissioner Karina Szabo since the show's debut in 2019, cited scheduling reasons for her exit.

Mandoki expressed her gratitude for her time with the series, calling it a gift to develop and accompany a character for so long. She also thanked her co-stars and the production team, pouring out her emotional words to them.

The news of Mandoki's departure comes after Teresa Weißbach, who plays the forester Saskia Bergelt in the series, hinted at the change on her Instagram account at the end of June.

Since its premiere in 2019, "Saxon Crime" has been a staple on ZDF, with Mandoki's character playing a significant role in the gripping stories. However, from 2026 onwards, the series will continue without her.

It's not just "Saxon Crime" that is experiencing changes. Another departure is pending in a ZDF production: Marisa Burger is leaving the series "Rosenheim-Cops". It's now known who will step into her shoes, but the identity remains undisclosed.

Mandoki, despite her busy schedule, had expressed her desire to continue playing other roles regularly but found herself unable to take on other projects due to time constraints. She was not involved in the planning of further roles as Commissioner Karina Szabo in "Saxon Crime" in 2021 due to personal or professional reasons not publicly disclosed.

The "Saxon Crime" series has been a career highlight for Mandoki, and her exit was not a result of a forced exit. In an interview with t-online.de, she explained her reasons for leaving the series.

As Mandoki moves on to new opportunities, fans of "Saxon Crime" can look forward to seeing her in other roles. Her departure from the series marks the end of an era, but it also paves the way for new stories and characters to captivate audiences.