Call My Agent Berlin: Second-Hand Takes Over the Big Screen

The German adaptation of the hit French franchise follows the agents of Berlin’s Stern talent agency as they fight for survival after the sudden death of their founder. Based on the high-stakes world of celebrity management, the Disney+ series blends betrayal, love, and family drama across ten episodes. Beyond the agency’s story, the series’ success highly relays on the outstanding cast. Some of Germany’s most renowned actors step into the spotlight to play exaggerated versions of themselves, creating a sharp humor and self-mocking charm that makes the show as funny as it is dramatic.

While the format stays close to the original, the German series embraces a distinctly local style. In the French version, sleek Parisian offices set the tone. In Berlin, the agency’s headquarters reflect the aesthetic of the 1990s: exposed marble brick, dark wood frames, and conservative carpets. It’s a design language that evokes a post-Wende atmosphere, grounding the satire in Germany’s own cultural context.

But what truly makes this adaptation stand out is not just the script or setting, it’s the costumes. Instead of relying on freshly made designer wardrobes, Call My Agent Berlin makes a revolutionary choice by using pre-loved designer pieces from eBay. This decision is in fact redefining how fashion functions on screen. Far from being simply decoration, the pre-loved garments help tell the characters’ stories. The cracks in the leather jackets, the wrinkles in the satin skirts, and the small holes at the button hems of dresses all reveal the truth of life through clothing. It’s the beauty within imperfections. These details give the characters additional authenticity and depth. For the viewer, such tiny imperfections make an immense difference, as the carefully curated looks create both identity and visual recognition.

This approach also taps into a larger cultural movement. As we all know, fashion is the world’s third-biggest polluting industry. Overproduction, fast fashion, and excessive water use have caused immense damage to our planet, yet current changes are far from enough and we are running out of time. Each year, around 100 billion garments are produced, with 92 million tons of textile waste ending up in landfills. Rather than focusing only on producing new ‘sustainable’ garments, we first need to confront the enormous surplus of clothing that already exists.

In fact, with its ever-changing trends and shifts in style, industries such as film and television, especially need to embrace more innovative ideas. The Disney+ series Call My Agent Berlin not only critiques the greenwashing industry but also takes a step further by reimagining pre-owned pieces instead of fueling endless new production. In doing so, it demonstrates how entertainment can experiment with sustainability in a meaningful way.

What makes this even more interesting for the general consumer is how the series manages to blur the line between screen and audience. For the first time, consumers have the chance to wear the same costumes as their favorite actors. Imagine watching Titanic and a week later you could possibly wear Rose´s evening gown. Through a special campaign from eBay featuring looks from the show, this idea becomes reality: fans can ‘shop the look1. This creates a deeper connection to the series, consumer can express their fandom and it’s easier to identify with the characters.

The result is a series that entertains on various levels. On one hand, it’s a sharp satire filled with self-mocking performances and cultural in-jokes. But on the other hand it’s a bold experiment in how popular culture can confront urgent issues like waste and overproduction. In the end, Call My Agent Berlin does more than adapt a beloved format. It actually reinvents it. By weaving sustainability into its storytelling, the series points toward what the future of both television and fashion might look like: creative, conscious, and culturally transformative.