How was the shooting of the last scenes?
I had the texts a few weeks in advance and was able to prepare for the farewell. I shed a few tears while studying. So I agreed with myself in advance about the sadness about my personal departure and that of my character. Dörte died of a heart attack, alone in the next room, so the dying process took place off-screen.
The funeral and the associated ceremony was another challenge for me. Dörte lay in the open coffin in the church and everyone present said goodbye to her personally. When Gunter gave his farewell speech in rehearsal, tears ran down my cheeks.
Of course, I wasn’t allowed to react emotionally during the shoot, which wasn’t easy for me, because my colleagues played with heart and soul and I had to concentrate very hard not to cry too. I managed to do that. Patrick Fichte, the director of this episode, told me after filming that he thought it was a bit scary because you couldn’t see me breathing.
The serial death will also move the ‘Red Roses’ fans …
Yes, that concerned me a lot, how the viewers might feel about Dorte’s sudden death, especially because I’ve often heard, ‘I hope that you’ll stay for a long time’. Dörte was allowed to experience a great love story again at her age, that is not to be taken for granted and gives hope to many people, regardless of age! I hope that this aspect will be remembered by the viewers and give them courage.
Dörte died of a heart attack, the symptoms are different in women than in men and, like Dörte, often go undetected. If Dörte’s death made women pay attention and listen, if they recognized similar symptoms and went to the doctor in time, then it would have been worth it. Because then Dörte’s death would make sense and save lives in real life! I would be very happy about that.
But the viewers will see Dörte again, right?
Yes, Dörte will come back and help Gunter. He sees her and talks to her while the others don’t see her. That was an opportunity to say goodbye again, because that wasn’t possible before. I thought it was really nice to shoot those scenes again.
What do you miss most about Lüneburg and ‘Red Roses’?
I’m that kind of person, when I’m where I am, then I’m really there. I also mourned for a time that I was going away. But now it’s done and I’m dealing with the things that are coming up now.
