"As Germans we're not used to selling our series across the German borders," star of Deutschland 83, Jonas Nay tells SBS German.
"We were all really overwhelmed by the success we've had internationally - especially when I think of the UK."
The series debuted in the United Kingdom in early 2016 where it went on to become the highest rated foreign-language drama in UK TV history.
"I've just been to London and it seemed to me that a lot of people on the streets - including some taxi drivers - recognised me and knew my name," says a baffled Nay. "This was kind of crazy."
Watch Jonas Nay's full interview (in English) with SBS German, above.
Just as the Cold War spy drama hits Australian screens, lead actor Nay tells SBS more about the psychological and physical challenges that came with starring in the successful mini-series.
Born in 1990, just after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Nay says that makes him what Germans call a 'Wendekind'. A child of the post-change period, representing a whole generation of young Germans, and in fact Europeans, who are not very familiar with the politics and history of the Cold War.
"Deutschland 83 gives my generation an emotional connection to the time of the Cold War," he explains.
Born in West-Germany with no family ties to the East, the 26-year-old explains in that most of his time in history lessons was dedicated to the French Revolution or WWII, but that there was hardly any mentioning of the drastic events that preceded his birth by only a few years.
"Deutschland 83 gives my generation an emotional connection to the time of the Cold War"
Nay explains how the show helps to bridge the gap "In every show, there's at least one historical development that's featured in the story," he says.
"Combined with elements like pop music and the fashion, it's a good way of going you a feel for that time."As a result of working on the series, Nay says, "I think I have a better understanding now," of what life was like then.
"I have a picture in my head of that time but still, it's impossible to relive that time or have the same feelings that people of my age had at that time - their feelings and desires," he says.
"That's why I had to depend on the expertise of the people around me while I was shooting - who lived at that time. I had a military advisor who was in NATO in the inner circle at that time and who told me what happened behind closed doors."
As well as a learning experience, Nay says the action-heavy series also proved to be a grueling physical challenge.
"I had to be really, really fit," he says. "In fact, I think I've never been as fit as during this production time."
"Shooting a series is like running a marathon - it takes so much concentration and physical power.
"I wanted to shoot all the stunt scenes myself so I took training in kickboxing and military behaviour."
"I went jogging every second day - I think this was quite necessary for getting through."
So far, the German-language TV production has taken English speaking audiences by storm.
Deutschland 83 airs on SBS at 8:30pm Thursday nights and then on SBS OnDemand - watch the first episode below or at on SBS OnDemand:
[videocard video="872137283931"]
