Autumn of 1835. The Buddenbrook family inaugurates their new house with a big celebration. The Lübeck dignitaries, merchants, brokers, lawyers, the family doctor, the pastor and a poet who recites well-written poems sit on the festively laid table. Johann Buddenbrook senior, still vigorous boss, has earned a lot of money in the grain trade and can afford the city villa. Only his sons are worried: Gotthold has separated from the family, Johann cares too little about the well-being of the trading house...

In the summer of 1845, Bendix Grünlich appeared in the noble house of the Buddenbrooks. The merchant from Hamburg skillfully flatters himself in the heart of the consul, pretending to be a serious man, deeply connected to the church. The consul also likes him because he thinks he's a wealthy business friend. Only Tony is horrified by Bendix Grünlich, all the more so that he woos her. Tony loathes his fuss and can't stand his golden yellow whiskers. She reacts nervously and irritably to the advertising. That's why Tony is sent to Travemünde to relax there...

Knowing what she owes to her distinguished and wealthy family, Tony Buddenbrook appropriately marries the merchant Bendix Grünlich, albeit without affection. The couple moves into a villa in Hamburg. Thomas Buddenbrook separates from his childhood friend Anna - also because of etiquette - and starts an apprenticeship in Amsterdam. In 1848 there was social unrest in Lübeck. Consul Buddenbrook manages to calm the excited demonstrators while his son-in-law Lebrecht Kröger is so excited about this incident that he succumbs to a heartbeat.

In 1850, Bendix Grünlich faced bankruptcy. And because his marriage to Tony has broken up anyway, Consul Johann Buddenbrook drops him. Tony then returns to the family home with her daughter, where she, as a divorced woman, loses all connection to society. She only takes part in the "Consul's Jerusalem Evenings", which he organizes for clergymen traveling through. The older he gets, the more pious he gets. In 1855 there was a fundamental change at Buddenbrook ...

Two weddings at the Buddenbrooks. Thomas, who took over the title of Royal Dutch Consul after the death of his uncle Gotthold, met the young Gerda Arnoldsen during a business trip in Amsterdam and married her. Gerda, from a rich family, is a childhood friend of Tony. And Pastor Tiburtius, one of the many spiritual guests of the Buddenbrooks, asks for Klara's hand. Of course that is right for the consul...

In the summer of 1857, the Bavarian hop trader Permaneder appeared at Buddenbrooks. He clearly shows his sympathy for Tony. Thomas, who now heads the family, welcomes this interest. Although Tony has serious doubts, she gives in to the family's urging, marries Permaneder and moves in with her daughter Erika in Munich. During this time Thomas managed the company very skillfully and gained influence and reputation. At balls and gala dinners to which he is invited with his graceful wife, he enjoys awe-inspiring affection on the part of Lübeck society. A shadow falls unexpectedly on this glow when Tony declares her second marriage failed and insists on divorce.

A new scandal threatens the reputation of the Buddenbrooks: in autumn 1861 Christian fails in Hamburg. To avoid bankruptcy, he wants to go to London and work there again as an employee. At the same time, he explains to his brother Thomas that he has an illegitimate child. The mother is a woman with a dubious reputation. Thomas, on the other hand, achieves a high goal: he becomes a senator.

Thomas Buddenbrook reluctantly follows his sister Tony's advice to buy the harvest of a squire in need. The trading company celebrates the centenary of the company. In the middle of the celebration, however, bad news bursts ...

The Buddenbrooks celebrate Christmas in the house on Mengstrasse. The old consulin is happy to have her whole family around her. A children's choir sings festive songs in the hall. Little Hanno can hardly wait for his presents. And Uncle Christian even tries to be an opera singer. But just a few months after the beautiful festival, the Buddenbrooks is struck by a new blow: the old consulin is dying ...

The siblings meet after the consulin's death to divide the household items among themselves. This leads to a break between Thomas and Christian when the brother of the horrified group opens up, wanting to marry the fun-loving Aline Puvogel. It is a shame for Tony that her childhood archenemy Herman Hagenström will buy the beautiful house on Mengstrasse. Thomas wrote his will full of foreboding.

Senator Thomas Buddenbrook fährt an die See, um seine angegriffene Gesundheit wiederherzustellen. Aber der nahende Tod ist nicht aufzuhalten. Während einer Ratssitzung hat er starke Zahnschmerzen. Auf dem Weg zum Arzt bekommt er einen Schlaganfall und bricht zusammen. Die Firma wird nach seinem Letzten Willen liquidiert. Gerda Buddenbrook, die Witwe, sorgt sich um Hanno.