With over 3 million views on streaming platforms alone, unhappy has become one of ARTE’s most successful formats for a younger audience. Now in its third season, the show continues to strike a chord.
In the wake of the pandemic, the need to talk about mental health and happiness became more urgent – but without clichés or self-help jargon. That’s exactly where unhappy comes in: grounded in science, but told in a fresh, relatable way. Each episode explores a key theme – from relationships, loneliness, money and sleep to midlife crises, parenthood, and ageing.
At the heart of the show is Ronja von Rönne – author, columnist, and former professional skeptic. When we first called her about the project, she was in a psychosomatic clinic being treated for depression. Our pitch: “Ronja, do you want to host a show about happiness – and we’ll call it unhappy?” That conversation marked the beginning of a very different kind of journey.
Today, Ronja brings her dry humour, her sharp questions, and her openness to the role. She doesn’t settle for easy answers – instead, she asks what really helps, what’s just myth, and how to live a good life in a world that keeps getting faster.
Along the way, she speaks not only with leading scientists, but also with people whose personal stories offer insight, strength, and sometimes even hope. Role models who speak from experience, not theory.
unhappy isn’t your typical advice show – but it offers a lot: fresh perspectives, honest conversations, and evidence-based ideas. And maybe the most important takeaway of all: happiness is complicated – but it’s worth looking for.
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Direction
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ARTE/RBB
