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Entertainment • TV series

Dear Child (TV series)

Dear Child is a 2023 German crime drama limited series released on Netflix.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 12, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Dear Child is a 2023 German crime drama limited series released on Netflix. Based on Romy Hausmann’s novel *Liebes Kind*, it follows a woman who escapes captivity, prompting investigators to reopen a long-unsolved disappearance case.

Premise

The series begins when a severely injured woman and a child are found after an escape from captivity. Their arrival leads investigators back to a disappearance that occurred 13 years earlier.

Production and release

Dear Child is a German-language Netflix limited series directed by Isabel Kleefeld and Julian Pörksen. It consists of six episodes and was released worldwide on September 7, 2023.

Source material

The series is based on Romy Hausmann’s novel *Liebes Kind*, which was published in German and translated into English as *Dear Child*. The adaptation retains the psychological thriller structure of the novel.

Reception and awards

The series drew strong viewership on Netflix and received critical attention as a German-language thriller. It later won the International Emmy Award for Best TV Movie or Miniseries.

Key facts

  • The series is adapted from Romy Hausmann’s novel *Liebes Kind*.
  • It premiered on Netflix on September 7, 2023.
  • The story centres on a woman’s escape from captivity and a reopened missing-person case.
  • The series is in German and was produced as a six-episode limited series.
  • It won the International Emmy Award for Best TV Movie or Miniseries at the 52nd International Emmy Awards.
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Canadian context

The series was available on Netflix in Canada as part of its global release, making it accessible to Canadian viewers on the platform.

Frequently asked questions

What is Dear Child about?
It follows a woman who escapes captivity, leading police to reopen a 13-year-old missing-person case connected to her past.
Is Dear Child based on a book?
Yes. It is based on Romy Hausmann’s novel *Liebes Kind*.
How many episodes does Dear Child have?
It has six episodes.
When was Dear Child released?
It premiered on Netflix on September 7, 2023.
What language is Dear Child in?
The original language is German.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dear_Child
    Supports: Original title, format, creators, premiere date, synopsis, episode count, and award mention.
  2. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/81513233
    Supports: Limited series classification, genre, synopsis, cast, and release availability.
  3. Netflix Tudum — https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/dear-child-release-date-news
    Supports: Adaptation from Romy Hausmann’s novel, German setting, and six-episode structure.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/dear_child
    Supports: Genre, original language, network, rating, and release date.
  5. Goethe-Institut — https://www.goethe.de/prj/geg/en/klm/srf/25325111.html
    Supports: Six episodes, runtime, country, creators, cast, and streaming platform.