Die Wilden

Die Wilden (German: ‘the wilds’ or ‘the savages’) is a fantasy adventure television series developed and broadcast by KRF. It is based on a reworking of the character of Tarzan, created by American author Edgar Rice Burroughs and follows the main character, Akan, as he fulfils his role as the protector of the jungle and its inhabitants.

Setting
Die Wilden is set in the fictional Numassa, an African territory which remains the colonial possession of an unnamed Western power. Numassa is mostly covered by a variety of jungle landscapes, including dense forests, grassland plains and rivers, but also contains rugged mountains and urban areas. Most of the action of the series takes place in an area of jungle containing the official residence of Governor Langbourne and the village of the Machewe tribe, although characters frequently discuss and visit other locations.

Although never explicitly mentioned, the series seems to be set in a “timeless” world that has the stylistic and cultural outlook of early-20th century colonial Africa, but has contemporary technology and scientific knowledge.

Characters
Akam, the antagonist and archetypal “jungle hero”.

Governor Theodor Langbourne. The resident governor of Mulande district, the representative of the colonial administration and usually the person who enlists Akam’s help in dealing with a particular problem. Seemingly old-fashioned in taste and outlook, Langbourne is avuncular and often paternalistic, feeling personally responsible for the welfare of the people of the district.

'''Commissioner Hans Ratworth. '''The head of the district’s paid civil service. Outwardly efficient and professional, Ratworth is revealed to be a corrupt, opportunistic schemer, frequently masterminding poaching, smuggling and other criminal enterprises. His schemes are usually frustrated by Akam and the Governor and thus Ratworth privately seeks to discredit both.

The Machewe, a local tribe who live in a village in Mulande district and, unlike many of Numassa’s residents, choose to maintain a mostly traditional way of life. They speak their own dialect, also named Machewe, but most are also fluent in the colonial official language.