After his A-levels, he started studying music and mathematics, but then went on to acting school in Kiel.

Aside from his film acting, for which he has won several accolades including two Adolf Grimme Awards, Prahl has starred in 23 episodes of the television crime series Tatort.

[1] The cine films Nightshapes (1999) and Grill Point (2002) marked the start of a continuous successful cooperation with director Andreas Dresen which harvested some renown awards.

[2] Aside from acting, Prahl started as a sideline a music career, releasing three albums (2011, 2013 and 2018) as a singer-songwriter and bandleader.

[3] From 2007 on, Prahl hosted annually the two days summer music festival Inselleuchten at Marienwerder, Brandenburg.