HBO Original 4 BLOCKS ZERO Premieres September 25

The beginning you've never seen: In the multiple award-winning German cult series "4 Blocks" the Hamady family owned Berlin. But how did they rise to become the city's most influential clan? Starting September 25, the prequel 4 BLOCKS ZERO travels back to 1990s Berlin, where it all began. With new episodes rolling out weekly, the eight-part crime drama tells the story of a family caught between bureaucracy, politics and social exclusion, determined to build a new life in Germany. The official teaser offers a first glimpse HERE.

About 4 BLOCKS ZERO
Set in 1990s Berlin, this prequel to the Max Original series "4 Blocks" explores the early years of the Hamady family. Having fled from Lebanon with his four children and mother-in-law, Malik Hamady (Rami Fadel Khalaf) attempts to provide a better life for his family in Germany but struggles to gain a foothold amid prejudice and the challenges of daily life. When his brother-in-law Ibrahim (Tariq Al-Saies) is released from prison after eight years and joins the rest of the family, his dangerous secret sets off a chain reaction. As Ibrahim is drawn deeper into the criminal underworld, the Hamadys' values are put to the ultimate test, jeopardizing their safety and everything they've worked towards to secure a new future.

Starring in 4 BLOCKS ZERO are Tariq Al-Saies ("Liberame: After the Storm") as Ibrahim, Tareq Nassery ("Die Chefin") as Ali, later known as Toni Hamady, Rami Fadel Khalaf ("Dirty, Difficult, Dangerous") as Ali's father Malik, and Soufiane El Mesaudi ("Hype") as Ali's brother Abbas. Also part of the family are grandmother Hanin (Fatima Khanfour; "Almost Cops"), younger siblings Marwan (Almountaser "Monty" Alchltouh; "Chabos") and Amara (Siana Zayed) as well as cousin Latif (Mohammad Eliraqui; "Wet Dog"). Vince Kerner is portrayed by Luis Vorbach ("Woman of the Dead"). Further cast members include Bella Dayne ("Troy: Fall of a City"), Mohamed Kanj Khamis ("Made in Germany"), Jule Hermann ("Zeit Verbrechen"), Sevda Polat ("Rabiye Kurnaz vs. George W. Bush"), Samir Salim ("Sun and Concrete"), Enno Trebs ("Köln 75") and Mark Waschke ("Dark").

The scripts were written by Bernd Lange (head writer; "The Empress"), Bahar Bektaş ("Druck"), Natalie Zoghbi ("Der Alte") and Hassan Akkouch (role of Maruf in "4 Blocks"). The series was directed by Özgür Yıldırım ("4 Blocks") and Hüseyin Tabak ("Oscar's Dress"). Matthias Bolliger ("4 Blocks") and Max Preiss ("No Hit Wonder") served as directors of photography. The German HBO Original is produced by W&B Television for HBO Max. Producers are Quirin Berg, Max Wiedemann and Marcus Welke for W&B Television; executive producers are Matthias Junge and Özgür Yıldırım. Anke Greifeneder serves as executive producer for HBO Max and also oversaw editorial direction.