Gruppe 5 hires ZDF factual chief Alexander Hesse

German docudrama producer Gruppe 5 has hired former ZDF factual chief Alexander Hesse as managing director.

The company produces series including ZDF’s Die Deutschen (The Germans), RTL medieval TV movie The Nibelungs and a ten part series based on the life of Alexander The Great.

Hesse was previously chief editor of the Department of History and Society in ZDF’s culture and science department. He produced documentaries including the 37° series, 3D programme Die Huberbuam (The Huber Brothers) culture show Unsere Besten (Our Best) and a raft of docs for its Terra X slot.

Uwe Kersken and Christel Fomm, joint CEOs of Gruppe 5 Filmproduktion said: “With Alexander Hesse, Gruppe 5 is taking on an internationally recognized programme-maker whose innovative power and experience in a broad variety of genres will lead to new project ideas and modern formats for German and international television.”

Hesse added: “I am looking forward to my new task in one of the most renowned documentary workshops in the country. Gruppe 5 stands for top-quality programmes. An ideal surrounding for initiatives and ideas.”