What is Black Gold about?

Greed for power, betrayal and the dream of quick wealth: An oil boom breaks out in the Lüneburg Heath around 1900, transforming an entire region into a German „Wild West“. This series tells of this time, of the destructive power of boundless selfishness, but also of the courage to rebel against injustice. Lüneburg Heath around 1900: The young farmer's daughter Johanna works as a maid to support her family. No one suspects that there is a treasure lurking beneath her family's fields – petroleum. Only Richard, the son of the neighboring farmer Pape, knows about it and dreams of a future together with Johanna. Their forbidden love is put to the test when the unscrupulous oil trader Mr. Robertson appears and a fierce battle for power and wealth begins.

Latest episode

S1 · Episode 7 — The History of the Oil Boom in Germany · 2025-12-29

This companion documentary delves into the real-life origins of the oil boom in the Lüneburg Heath. Actor Aaron Hilmer from the series "Black Gold" travels to Wietze in search of historical traces. Once a hub of the German oil industry, the town in the Celle district served as the real-world inspiration for the fictional series. In 1858, geologist Georg Hunäus drilled Germany’s first oil well here. By the early 20th century, oil derricks crowded the landscape of Wietze. Through conversations with historians and contemporary witnesses, Aaron Hilmer explores how the oil boom transformed this small village on the heath.

Genres: Drama, Western
First aired: 2025-12-22
Rating: ★ 5.8 / 10

Top cast

Harriet Herbig-Matten Johanna Lambert
Aaron Hilmer Richard Pape
Tom Wlaschiha Wilhelm Pape
Lena Urzendowsky Luisa Pape
Jessica Schwarz Martha Lambert
Henny Reents Elisabeth Pape

How to Watch Black Gold on IBO Player

Watching Black Gold on IBO Player takes about a minute: start a free trial, open the app on your TV, phone, Fire Stick or browser, and press play — all in 4K Ultra HD.