Netflix brand new original series 1899 is on, and just like its sister series Dark (Same writers and producers) was flooded with characters, this one is no exception, with an additional trick – lots of different languages, and different nationalities. Well, that is what was expected in a trasatlantic ship from Europe to America by the end of the 19th Century. So, just to keep in mind who is who, and where they are from, here is a quick guide for 1899’s characters and their nationalities.
United Kindom
British Empire in 1899
Two characters come from the United Kingdom, or rather from the British Empire, which was the official name of that country in 1899: Maura Franklin (Emily Beechman), the doctor with the marks on her wrists, and Virgina Wilson (Rosalie Craig), the mysterious woman who is related to the two Chinese women inside the ship.
Germany
German Empire in 1899
The entire main crew of the Kerberos ship is german, its captain Eyk Larsen (Andreas Pietschmann, The Stranger from Dark ) and his helpers. It should be noted that, like the British Empire, the official name of Germany in 1899 was the German Empire, and since Poland was annexed within Germany and Russia, there is a 50% chance that Olek (Maciej Musiał), the Polish boy, is also a citizen of the German Empire.
Spain and Portugal
Spanish Empire and Kingdom of Portugal en 1899
We know Ramiro (José Pimentão) is a false priest, who curiously speaks Portuguese, and his brother Ángel (Miguel Bernardeau) is Spanish. Let’s assume, for now, that they’re both from the Iberian Peninsula, and then as we delve deeper into the series’ mysteries we’ll reveal exactly where they’re from. Ah, in 1899 Spain was still known as the Spanish Empire. Portugal, curiously, began its phase as a constitutional monarchy and was known as the Kingdom of Portugal.
France
Third French Republic in 1899
By 1899 France had already stopped calling itself the French Empire, and was known as the French Third Republic, which included, of course, colonies on all continents. In the Kerberos, of the main characters, we have three French citizens, the spouses Clémence (Mathilde Ollivier), and Lucien (Jonas Bloquet), and the stowaway Jérôme (Yann Gael).
China
Great Qing Empire in 1899
Although they pretend to be Japanese, at least initially Ling Yi (Isabella Wei), and her assitant Yuk Je (Gabby Wong), speak Cantonese, so it is assumed they are from southern China, perhaps near Hong Kong, or perhaps part of the Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia. And remember that in 1899, what is now China was known as the Great Qing Empire. So cool how everything changes.
Denmark
Kingdom of Denmark in 1899
The Danes on the ship are those in the Economy Class zone, and there we have Krester (Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen), his pregnant sister Tove (Clara Rosager), and their parents Anker (Alexandre Willaume) and Iben (Maria Erwolter). Krester and Tove have a younger sister, Ada.
And of course we have other characters like Daniel Solace and the boy, who we’ll talk about later. For now, if you want to know everything about 1899, stay tuned this week at El Sabanero X.
El Sabanero X 