Janina Fautz

Janina Fautz is a German actress who plays Nilay Duelli in Lena Lorenz and the recurring Merle in Wilsberg.

Biography

A child performer with more than two decades of screen work returned to formal acting school before continuing her adult ZDF career.

Fautz appeared in Lena Lorenz in May 2026 and returned to Münster for a Wilsberg premiere and new filming in March.

She has returned regularly as Merle since 2017.^[2]^[5]

She plays Nilay Duelli in the 2026 film Wahlverwandtschaft.^[1]

Her childhood filmography includes Michael Haneke's historical drama.^[3]

Nilay Role
She plays Nilay in Lena Lorenz
ZDF credits Fautz as Nilay Duelli in the 2026 film Wahlverwandtschaft.^[1]
May Broadcast
Wahlverwandtschaft aired in May 2026
The film aired on ZDF on May 14, 2026 after its online-first release.^[1]^[4]
Merle Role
She returns as Merle in Wilsberg
The City of Münster identified Fautz as Merle at the 2026 Mogelpackung premiere and during new Wilsberg filming.^[2]^[5]
Child Actor
She began acting as a child
Filmportal traces her screen work from Tigerenten Club through The White Ribbon and later lead roles.^[3]
Acting Degree
She completed acting studies in 2024
Her agency and a long interview record her 2020 to 2024 training in Stuttgart.^[5]^[6]

Filmportal records Mannheim as her birthplace.^[3]

She completed the Stuttgart program after many years of professional screen work.^[5]^[6]