If you’ve spent any time on Prime Video lately, you’ve seen her face. It’s everywhere. Harriet Herbig-Matten basically blew up overnight thanks to Maxton Hall, and honestly, the internet hasn't been the same since. Everyone is talking about the chemistry, the Oxford dreams, and that specific "enemies-to-lovers" tension that feels almost too real. But there is a huge misconception that she just appeared out of thin air in 2024.
That's just not true.
She’s been grinding in the German film industry since she was about 12 years old. If you only know her as Ruby Bell, you’re missing out on a decade of work that ranges from magical horses to gritty crime dramas.
The Maxton Hall Phenomenon and Beyond
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Maxton Hall — The World Between Us. It’s a juggernaut. It hit No. 1 in over 120 regions, which is wild for a German-language production. Harriet plays Ruby Bell, the scholarship student who just wants to get into Oxford and stay invisible.
Then she meets James Beaufort.
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The success of the show is largely credited to the "lightning in a bottle" chemistry between Harriet and Damian Hardung. Director Martin Schreier famously said that after her audition, he told producers they’d be "stupid" not to cast her. She just was Ruby. Season 2 recently dropped in late 2025, and Season 3 is already a go, meaning we’re going to be seeing a lot more of Harriet in those hallowed halls through 2026.
Breaking Down the Harriet Herbig-Matten Movies and TV Shows List
It’s easy to get lost in the hype, but Harriet’s filmography is actually pretty diverse. She didn't start with high-stakes romance. She started with kids' classics and TV movies.
- Bibi & Tina (The Series and Movies): For many Germans, she will always be Tina Martin. She took over the role in Bibi & Tina — Die Serie (2020) and the movie Bibi & Tina: Einfach anders (2022). It’s wholesome, it involves horses, and it’s a total 180 from the drama of Maxton Hall.
- Where’s Wanda? (2024): This one is a bit of a hidden gem. It’s Apple TV+’s first German-language original. Harriet plays Lucie Winson in a story about parents who start bugging their neighbors' houses to find their missing daughter. It’s dark, quirky, and shows she can handle more than just "teen" tropes.
- Schwarzes Gold (2025): One of her more recent projects, where she plays Johanna Lambert. It’s a period piece that proves she can carry a historical narrative just as well as a modern one.
- The Fairy Tale of the Magic Flute (2023): She played Pamina here. If you want to see her in a more "theatrical" setting with high production value, this TV movie is the way to go.
Why She’s Not Just Another "Teen Star"
A lot of people think young actors in romance shows are interchangeable. They aren't. Harriet has this specific groundedness. Even when the plot of a show gets a little "extra," she stays believable.
She’s spoken about how she finds it hard to shake off a role after filming. Sometimes she feels the character for weeks. That kind of emotional investment is probably why the audience feels so connected to her. She’s also quite picky. You won't see her in every single "influencer-led" project. She seems to be following a path more akin to serious dramatic actors, signing with Magnolia Entertainment in the US to bridge the gap between European cinema and Hollywood.
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The 2021 Breakout: Confessions of Felix Krull
Before the Prime Video explosion, Harriet appeared in Bekenntnisse des Hochstaplers Felix Krull (Confessions of Felix Krull). This was a big deal. It was a high-profile adaptation of a Thomas Mann novel. She played Eleanor Twentyman. While it wasn't the lead role, it put her in the room with some of Germany’s biggest names, like Jannis Niewöhner.
It was a sign of things to come.
What’s Next in 2026?
The schedule is looking packed. Between finishing up the Maxton Hall saga and looking for new international roles, Harriet is effectively the face of the new wave of German acting.
There are rumors about her eyeing English-language roles in the UK and US. Given that Maxton Hall is set in England (even though they filmed a lot of it in Germany and at the Museum Barberini in Potsdam), her English is already quite sharp.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you’re trying to keep up with Harriet Herbig-Matten movies and tv shows, don't just stick to the Prime Video homepage.
- Check out the early TV movies: Titles like Das Pubertier (2017) show her as a child actor, and the growth is insane.
- Watch 'Where's Wanda?' on Apple TV+: It’s arguably her most "adult" role outside of the romance genre.
- Follow the UFA Fiction updates: They are the production house behind her biggest hits and usually announce her projects first.
Basically, Harriet is here to stay. Whether she’s riding horses as Tina or dodging arrogant millionaires as Ruby, she’s got a range that most people are only just starting to notice. Keep an eye on the 2026 festival circuits—she’s likely to pop up somewhere unexpected.
To stay ahead of her latest releases, keep an eye on streaming platforms like Apple TV+ and Prime Video, as they are currently her primary homes for international distribution.