Robbie Williams as a chimpanzee: 'Better Man' biopic makes German free-TV debut on ProSieben
ProSieben has aired 'Better Man – Die Robbie Williams Story' as a German free-TV premiere, bringing the 2024 biopic — in which the British pop star is portrayed as a CGI chimpanzee — to a primetime Sunday audience.
Better Man – Die Robbie Williams Story aired as a German free-TV premiere on ProSieben on Sunday, 2 August 2026, at 20:15. The 2024 biopic, directed by Michael Gracey, portrays British pop star Robbie Williams as a CGI chimpanzee created with motion capture, with Williams voicing the English-language original himself.
ProSieben brought the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man – Die Robbie Williams Story to German free television on Sunday evening, 2 August 2026, airing the film in primetime at 20:15, according to German TV listings. It was the first time the 2024 cinema release could be seen free-to-air in Germany. The film takes an unusual approach to the pop-star biopic: Williams is portrayed throughout as a CGI chimpanzee, created with motion capture technology. Michael Gracey directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Oliver Cole and Simon Gleeson, while Williams himself narrates the English-language original. The story traces his rise from Take That, where he performed from 1990 to 1995, through a solo career launched in 1996 and cemented by his 1997 debut album Life thru a Lens and its signature single Angels. The broadcast gives the film a second chance with German audiences. It reportedly struggled at the German box office, with some cinema-goers leaving screenings confused, despite an Oscar nomination. The film is also available to stream on Amazon.
ProSieben brings the Robbie Williams biopic to German free TV
German viewers got their first chance to see the Robbie Williams biopic on free television when ProSieben broadcast "Better Man – Die Robbie Williams Story" on Sunday evening, 2 August 2026. According to German TV listings published by tvspielfilm.de on 25 July 2026, the film was scheduled for a 20:15 primetime slot.
The scheduling placed the biopic in direct competition with some of German television's biggest draws, including the long-running crime series Tatort and a James Bond film airing elsewhere that evening, according to reports on the broadcast.
The premiere also caught the attention of critics. The Süddeutsche Zeitung included "Better Man" in a roundup of recommended films on weekend television, singling it out as one of the picks worth watching. For viewers who missed the film during its 2024 cinema run, the ProSieben broadcast offered a first opportunity to catch it at home without a cinema ticket or streaming subscription.
A pop star played by a chimpanzee
The film's boldest choice is immediately apparent: Robbie Williams appears on screen not as an actor in makeup, but as a chimpanzee. The character was created using motion capture technology, with Williams himself providing the voiceover commentary in the English-language original version. The result is a pop biography in which the star narrates his own life story while audiences watch a CGI ape live it out.
Behind the camera, Michael Gracey directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Oliver Cole and Simon Gleeson. Released in cinemas in 2024, the biopic traces Williams's childhood and career, following his path from his early years through his rise to fame. According to reports, the film functions as a musical, with its monkey protagonist at the centre of the story — an unconventional approach that sets it apart from standard music biopics.
From Take That to solo stardom
The film traces Williams's journey from boy-band fame to solo success. Born in England, he rose to prominence as a member of Take That between 1990 and 1995, before leaving the group and launching a solo career in 1996. His debut solo album, Life thru a Lens, followed in 1997 and included Angels, the single that would become one of his signature songs.
According to reports, the biopic portrays both his childhood and his career, charting this trajectory from boy-band member to solo artist. German broadcaster 3sat describes Williams as one of the world's biggest pop stars, known for hits such as Angels and Feel. That stature — built over three decades in the spotlight — is what the film sets out to explore, albeit through its unusual choice of leading man: a CGI chimpanzee.
Robbie Williams rose to fame as a member of the band Take That.
Williams left Take That and began his solo career.
Williams released his debut solo album Life thru a Lens, featuring the single Angels.
The biographical film Better Man, directed by Michael Gracey and depicting Williams as a CGI chimpanzee, was released in cinemas.
The film performed poorly at German box offices, and some cinema audiences left screenings confused.
tvspielfilm.de listed the upcoming German television broadcast of Better Man – Die Robbie Williams Story.
ProSieben aired the film as a German free-TV premiere at 20:15 on Sunday evening, against competition including Tatort and a James Bond film.
Box office struggles, an Oscar nod and where to watch
The film's path to German living rooms was not a smooth one. After its 2024 cinema release, reports suggest Better Man performed poorly at German box offices, and some cinema audiences reportedly left screenings confused — a reaction often attributed to the unconventional decision to depict its famous subject as an ape. Despite the lukewarm theatrical response, the film received an Oscar nomination, according to reports, giving it a degree of prestige that its ticket sales did not reflect.
For viewers who missed the ProSieben broadcast, or who prefer to watch at their own pace, the film is also available to stream on Amazon, according to listings. How the free-TV premiere fared in the German ratings has not yet been reported.
Frequently asked questions
When was Better Man shown on German TV?
ProSieben aired the biopic as a German free-TV premiere on Sunday evening, 2 August 2026. According to reports, the broadcast was scheduled for 20:15 in German primetime, where it competed against programming including Tatort and a James Bond film. The listing site tvspielfilm.de had noted the upcoming broadcast on 25 July 2026.
Why is Robbie Williams played by a monkey in Better Man?
In the film, Robbie Williams is portrayed throughout as an ape — specifically a CGI chimpanzee created using motion capture technology. In the English-language original version, Williams himself provides the voiceover commentary. According to reports, some cinema audiences left screenings confused, though the reasons for this are not known.
What is the film Better Man about?
Better Man is a 2024 biographical film about British singer Robbie Williams, directed by Michael Gracey, who co-wrote the screenplay with Oliver Cole and Simon Gleeson. It portrays Williams's childhood and career, from his rise to fame with Take That between 1990 and 1995 to his solo career, which began in 1996 and produced the 1997 debut album Life thru a Lens, featuring Angels.
How did Better Man perform at the box office?
The film was released in cinemas in 2024. According to reports, it performed poorly at German box offices, though specific figures are not known. The film reportedly received an Oscar nomination, though the category and outcome are not confirmed. It is also said to be available to stream on Amazon.
Who is Robbie Williams?
Robbie Williams is an English singer and songwriter who rose to fame as a member of Take That from 1990 to 1995 before launching a solo career in 1996. His debut solo album, Life thru a Lens, came out in 1997 and included the single Angels. German broadcaster 3sat describes him as one of the world's biggest pop stars, known for hits such as Angels and Feel.
Compiled from reporting by 16 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
