Why does the BND arrest Simon and Meret in the Unfamiliar ending? Discover the Jonas Auken frame-up, the Starfish mole reveal, and Nina’s future.
Among the European productions of early 2026, Unfamiliar has been one of the most talked-about hits on Netflix. After all, there’s always an appetite for a classic spy story involving Russians and Germans: in the case of Unfamiliar, the story begins over sixteen years earlier and resurfaces in the present, bringing the protagonists of the past back to Berlin to hunt each other down and settle their scores once and for all.
Unfamiliar touches on many interesting points, particularly the ones you least expect: the complexity of parenting a non-biological daughter within a life built on a lie, and the constant need to hide a secret past as spies. We see Katya, a biological mother who returns from nowhere demanding a role in her daughter’s life; an old Russian spy still seeking the deaths of those who destroyed his life sixteen years ago; and the BND—the German Federal Intelligence Service—crippled by weakness and an internal mole.
The ending of Unfamiliar leaves several loose ends that could be explored further in a potential second season, all revolving around the fate of the protagonists: why are Simon and Meret arrested by the BND, the very agency they once served? And what will become of Nina, now in Katya’s hands? In this article, we will analyze every character nuance, psychological depth, and the meaning behind the events of Unfamiliar, from the beginning to the ending.
Simon and Meret: Two Spies in Search of Redemption
Let’s start with the two main characters: Simon and Meret are former spies for the BND (the German Federal Intelligence Service), but we see them as two people constantly trying to do the right thing. More importantly, they are trying to protect the life they’ve built—a life that revolves around their love for their daughter, Nina. For her, they abandoned their profession, even opening a restaurant to create the feeling of a “family nest.”
What we soon discover is that Nina is not their biological daughter. Nina entered their lives after that fateful day sixteen years ago in Belarus, where Simon and Meret were working for Gregor in an attempt to capture the Russian spy Josef Koleev. It was Josef’s wife, Katya, who had sold her husband out to the BND. However, Josef survived, poisoned the pregnant Katya, and fled.
At that point, Simon used his skills as a surgeon to deliver Katya’s daughter before it was too late. Meret and Gregor fled to the hospital with the infant, while Simon stayed behind to “clean up the mess.” What Meret doesn’t know, however, is that Simon managed to keep Katya alive, after which she vanished.
Meret and Simon’s story is thus founded on a massive lie, which represents the true meaning behind the series’ title. The “Liar” aspect of Unfamiliar—often highlighted in the opening credits—stems from the fact that you cannot build a family on a foundation as “unfamiliar” as the world of espionage. The lies upon which the Schäfer family was founded are twofold: Simon hides from Meret the fact that Katya is still alive, and he hides from Katya the fact that her daughter is alive. A biological mother who doesn’t know her child exists, and an adoptive mother who doesn’t know the real mother is still out there.
Despite the lies and their past, Simon and Meret try to guarantee Nina a decent life. Yet, the past still looms over them.
A Confusing Present: The Return of Josef and Katya and “Starfish”, the BND’s Mole
Sixteen years later, Josef Koleev has re-entered German soil. He is in Berlin, married to the incoming Russian ambassador, and backed by a professional team. His mission is simple: eliminate the three spies who ruined his career in Belarus—Gregor, Simon, and Meret.
At his disposal, Josef has the mercenary Jonas Auken and a mole inside the BND, codenamed Starfish. In a startling flashback, we learn that Jonas was once Meret’s lover during an operation in Morocco. He is ordered to kill his former flame, for whom he still harbors feelings; if he refuses, the lives of his own children are at stake.
Throughout the first season, Starfish appears to be a high-ranking BND member with access to sensitive data. When Internal Affairs gets involved, they discover the phone used by Starfish to communicate with Josef. Evidence points toward Alice, Julika’s ex-girlfriend, who had been acting suspiciously. Alice “commits suicide” in her office, and the case seems closed.
However, the truth is revealed at the ending of Unfamiliar: Starfish, the Russian mole in the BND, is actually Ben, the new department head. Ben successfully framed Alice and murdered her, staging it as a suicide to shield himself from the internal investigation. But when the new ambassador, Vera Koleev, takes office, she meets with Ben and reminds him—through threats—that he is still a puppet for Russia.
To close the circle, Katya also returns. She is still seeking revenge against Josef for the (presumed) death of her daughter. But when she discovers that Simon and Meret “stole” her child, she is devastated: her entire life, too, is built on a lie. Her maternal love remains, ready to reclaim what she lost. Katya tries to convince Simon and Meret to tell Nina the truth, but she eventually grows impatient and loses faith in their intentions.
This leads us to the finale of Unfamiliar, which requires a dedicated explanation.
Unfamiliar Ending Explained: Why were Simon and Meret arrested?
In the high-stakes finale, Meret and Simon realize their cover is blown; the only way to truly settle their scores with the past is to eliminate their enemies. They successfully defend their safe house, and Josef’s team is wiped out. Jonas also dies, killed by Josef himself, who finally uncovers the mercenary’s double game.
Meanwhile, Josef returns to the Ambassador’s palace only to find he is no longer welcome—neither by his wife nor by the Russian secret services, who appear ready to eliminate him in the final scene (though this remains a cliffhanger for a potential second season).
At the hospital, Simon finally undergoes surgery for his aneurysm. Meret leaves Nina with Katya, telling them to wait in the car while she retrieves Simon from his recovery room. However, Katya is ready to betray their trust to get her daughter back. Her reasons are obvious: despite their best intentions, Simon and Meret literally stole the life that was meant for her. Furthermore, the violence she witnessed is proof enough that Nina is not safe with them.
Nina’s life needs to be free of lies, something Simon and Meret cannot provide. Even in the video Nina watches in the van, her parents reveal their past as spies but make no mention of the fact that they are not her biological parents. Katya realizes that the only way to live in the light is through BND protection. She contacts Julika and offers what the BND wants most: the identities of the two “ghost” spies, in exchange for a new life for her and Nina.
Why did the BND arrest Simon and Meret? This is the most confusing point of the finale. Since they are former employees, why treat them as enemies? First, faking their own deaths and living under false identities is a crime, obviously. Second, they operate a “disappearance” business independent of the BND and possess a dangerous amount of classified information. They are the living remnants of a BND disaster from sixteen years ago—a disaster that Katya’s tip-off finally allows the agency to “clean up.” Why are they arrested on the false charge of murdering Jonas Auken: well, here the BND simply needed a convenient scapegoat to justify another “messy” death that needed an official explanation.
In the midst of this, Ben triumphs. While he isn’t happy to remain under Russian control, he has successfully neutralized the threat of Simon and Meret, who are now in his hands.
The Future of the Series: What could happen in Season 2?
As always, Netflix reserves the right to renew the series for a second season after analyzing its performance over several weeks. If a second season arrives, we will find ourselves needing to understand how Simon and Meret will escape the grip of the BND, which is unlikely to stop at simply imprisoning them.
The question of Nina’s future remains open. It is likely that Katya will reveal the full truth about what Simon and Meret did when she was born. Nina’s reaction will likely be the emotional core of a possible second season: a girl who has had two loving parents her entire life, only to now discover their nature as assassins and the lie upon which her very life was built.
Is Josef dead? Likely, but there is always room for a potential plot twist here as well. Ambassador Vera, on the other hand, is certainly in top form, ready to take over her husband’s role in the secret deceptions to be carried out against Germany. All the prerequisites for a breathtaking second season are already in place. Now, we wait to see if we receive confirmation shortly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why were Simon and Meret arrested in the Unfamiliar ending?
Simon and Meret were arrested by the BND on the formal charge of murdering Jonas Auken. Although they are innocent of this specific crime, the agency needed a convenient scapegoat to cover its own failures and the “messy” death of a mercenary. Furthermore, the BND views them as a threat because they are “ghost” spies living under false identities who possess classified information that could compromise German intelligence.
Who is the Starfish mole in the BND?
The Starfish mole is Ben, the newly appointed department head of the BND. Ben successfully diverted Internal Affairs’ suspicions by murdering his colleague Alice and staging it to look like a suicide. In the finale, it is revealed that Ben is still a puppet of the Russian secret services, now reporting directly to the new Ambassador, Vera Koleev.
Why did Katya betray Simon and Meret?
Katya betrayed the Schäfers because she believes they robbed her of 16 years of life with her daughter, Nina. Despite their initial rescue in Belarus, Katya views Simon and Meret as liars whose presence keeps Nina in constant danger. She struck a deal with Julika to hand over the two former spies in exchange for witness protection and a secure, “familiar” new life for herself and the child.
Does Nina find out the truth about her parents?
In the Season 1 finale, Nina only discovers that her parents were spies through a video message left by Simon and Meret. However, she does not yet know that they are not her biological parents. The truth about her birth in Belarus and her biological connection to Katya and Josef Koleev remains the central secret likely to be explored in a potential second season.
Is Josef Koleev dead in the final episode?
Josef Koleev’s fate remains a cliffhanger. After being abandoned by his wife, Vera, and repudiated by the Russian intelligence services, Josef is surrounded by his potential assassins in the final scene. While his death seems inevitable, the lack of a definitive on-screen confirmation leaves the door open for a potential plot twist or a return in future episodes.
