If you spent any time watching late-night sci-fi in the late nineties, you know her. You probably know the orange hair, the lizard-hybrid strength, and that weirdly sentient robot head that was obsessed with her. Honestly, Xenia Seeberg movies and TV shows are often distilled down to one single, iconic role: Xev Bellringer.
But there’s a lot more to the German actress than just space-faring cult classics.
Seeberg didn't just stumble into the industry. She actually has a degree in Latin and Philosophy. Think about that next time you see her fighting off cosmic horrors. She also trained at the legendary Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York. That's some serious pedigree for someone who spent four seasons on a ship that looked like a giant dragonfly.
The Lexx Factor: More Than Just a Replacement
Let's talk about the elephant in the room—or rather, the lizard in the cryo-pod. When Xenia joined Lexx in 1998, she had a massive task. She was replacing Eva Habermann, who played Zev (with a Z) in the original movies and the start of the first season.
Fans were skeptical. Switching lead actresses mid-run is usually a death sentence for a show. But Seeberg didn’t just mimic Habermann. She turned Xev Bellringer into something her own. She brought a certain comedic timing and a "tougher" edge to the character. While the show was famously (or infamously) "Star Trek's evil twin," Seeberg grounded the insanity.
She stayed for 55 episodes. That’s a huge chunk of TV history for a show that shouldn't have worked but somehow became a global phenomenon. Even now, in 2026, people are still discovering the series on streaming platforms and realizing how ahead of its time it was with its dark, cynical humor.
Beyond the Stars: Horror and German Drama
If you think she only did sci-fi, you've missed a lot. Seeberg has a long history in German television that most English-speaking fans never see.
Take Verbotene Liebe (Forbidden Love), for instance. She appeared in nearly 30 episodes of the massive German soap opera back in the mid-nineties. It was a training ground. It gave her the stamina for the long hours of Lexx.
💡 You might also like: Why It Will Rain Lyrics Still Hit So Hard Years Later
Then there's the horror phase.
In 2003, she starred in Beyond the Limits, directed by Olaf Ittenbach. If you know Ittenbach, you know his movies aren't for the faint of heart. It’s gore, it’s practical effects, and it’s very "out there." Seeberg played Clarice, and it showed a side of her that was far removed from the "love slave" tropes of her early career.
Notable Film and TV Appearances
- Knockin' on Heaven's Door (1997): A small but notable role in one of Germany's most famous cult films.
- Total Recall 2070 (1999): She guest-starred in the episode "Assessment," playing Sela. It was a nice nod to her sci-fi roots.
- Der Clown (2005): A high-octane action movie where she played a character named Folter.
- 80 Minutes (2008): A thriller starring Gabriel Mann where she played Britt. It's a fast-paced "ticking clock" movie.
- Annihilation Earth (2009): A Syfy original movie. Yeah, it's cheesy, but she’s great as Muireann.
- Tatort (2014): She appeared in "Der Hammer," one of the longest-running and most prestigious crime series in Germany.
The "Age Lie" and Recent Reality TV
Something most people get wrong about Seeberg is her age. For years, her official bio said she was born in 1972. In 2017, she finally came clean: she was actually born in 1967.
She's been remarkably open about why she did it. The industry is notoriously ageist, especially toward women in sci-fi and action. Honestly, who can blame her? She looks incredible, and the fact that she was playing an action lead in her 30s and 40s while everyone thought she was younger is actually a testament to her energy.
✨ Don't miss: Why Digable Planets and Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like That) Still Defines Jazz-Rap
Lately, she’s been more focused on life in Thailand and reality television. You might have spotted her on Goodbye Deutschland! Die Auswanderer in 2024. It’s a different vibe from fighting Divine Shadows, but it shows the real Anke Wesenberg (her birth name) away from the cameras.
What Really Happened with her Music Career?
Wait, she sang?
Yep. In 1996, she released a track called "Heartbeat." It didn't top the charts, but it exists in that weird 90s Euro-dance bubble. Later, she became the lead singer for a band called the Vertikals. It wasn't just a vanity project; she actually has a solid voice. It’s one of those "did you know?" facts that usually surprises the Lexx die-hards.
Why Xenia Seeberg Movies and TV Shows are Worth Revisiting
Most actors from that era of "cult" TV disappear. Seeberg hasn't. She’s remained a staple of the convention circuit and a respected figure in the German entertainment industry.
👉 See also: Why the Carnival at the End of Days Videos Are Creeping Everyone Out
Her work represents a very specific era of television. It was a time when shows were allowed to be weird, experimental, and a little bit dangerous. Lexx was all of those things, and Xenia Seeberg was the face of it.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to dive back into her filmography, don't just stick to the obvious choices.
- Watch Lexx Season 3: This is widely considered the peak of her performance as Xev. The "Fire and Water" arc gave her actual character development beyond the "lizard girl" gimmick.
- Hunt down Beyond the Limits: If you like indie horror, this is a must-see for her role as Clarice. Just be warned—it's very messy.
- Check out her guest spots: Episodes of Total Recall 2070 or Tatort show her range outside of the "sexy alien" trope.
The best way to support her work now is to look for these titles on niche streaming services like Shudder or Comet, which often carry the older sci-fi and horror gems. Seeing her evolution from a German soap star to an international sci-fi icon is a journey worth taking.