“Player of Ibiza” wins the Grimme Award (Entertainment) – with Larissa Sirah Herden in a leading ensemble role

Jury Statement
Player of Ibiza starts with a delightfully absurd premise that immediately creates narrative tension: a trash TV reality show is suddenly relocated to the small town of Buchholz. A group of self-styled alpha males is tasked with becoming feminists. The director, meanwhile, is secretly pursuing her own agenda. What follows is a sharp, energetic media satire that doesn’t just parody the conventions of trash television but also thoughtfully engages with current social debates.
Take the central irony: the show’s concept was created by a man aiming to give the format a progressive, “woke” update—yet it’s Amelie, the director (brilliantly portrayed by Larissa Sirah Herden), who has to carry the weight of this vision. Her character is clearly skeptical of the whole idea, but she’s the one holding it all together. Amelie embodies the contradictions at the heart of the series: she’s too smart for this world, yet she participates in it—driven by economic pressure, while also exercising power over the contestants and manipulating them in turn.
In the best way, Player of Ibiza feels like a show that belongs to this moment. Feminist discourse has entered the mainstream to such an extent that it can now be monetized. At the same time, we’re witnessing a cultural backlash and a return to outdated gender roles. It’s the era of the bro and the macho man, who now casts himself as a victim of feminism.
So what does feminism look like under capitalism? What does it mean to be a “good man” in today’s world? And under what conditions is real change possible? Player of Ibiza raises these questions, plays with them, twists them around, negotiates them—and sometimes leaves them hanging. What emerges is a form of comedy that never lectures, never preaches, but still takes a clear stance.
It works because the series treats its characters with care. Enter the anti-heroes of Buchholz: five men, each a cliché in his own right, each representing a different facet of contemporary bro culture. The show is powered by a fantastic ensemble. Emil Belton, Charles Booz Jakob, Bruno Alexander, Sammy Scheuritzel, and Arman Kashani are completely convincing—whether in loud bravado or quiet reflection. Beneath the irony and exaggeration lie sharp insights and a surprising emotional warmth.
With Player of Ibiza, the creative trio Belton–Belton–Alexander once again demonstrates an exceptional feel for casting and comedic rhythm. As with their previous work on Die Discounter, the series thrives on its unconventional and compelling ensemble. It’s bold, brash, and full of bro-energy—yet infused with a sense of playfulness, precision, and impeccable timing. And yes, it’s genuinely funny.