Die Bergretter cast departures Luise Bähr and Heinz Marecek, Digi Mart USA News (Munich, Germany): The departure of Luise Bähr and Heinz Marecek from the ZDF series “Die Bergretter” is causing debate among viewers, according to the German Press Agency (dpa). Lead actor Sebastian Ströbel said he understands that some fans are disappointed.
“That is naturally a loss. After such a long and intensive collaboration, the two leave a gap behind,” Ströbel, 49, told dpa.
He said he also tries to see something positive in the decision, noting that such a choice has another side and can generate energy that can be turned into something good for Heinz Marecek, Luise Bähr and the series.
Ströbel, 49, plays chief mountain rescuer Markus Kofler. “I am grateful that I was allowed to work with the two of them for so long.”
Luise Bähr, 47, has played physician and mountain rescuer Katharina Strasser since the sixth season, a character who was at times in a relationship with Markus Kofler. She remains part of the series until the end of the currently airing 18th season and will later appear in the new ZDF series “Soko Spurenjäger.”
Heinz Marecek, 81, has played Franz Marthaler since the first episode of the first season. His last appearance in the series came in the 17th season.
In the second episode of the 18th season, his character Franz Marthaler was buried.
Ströbel said Katharina’s exit is understandable from a storytelling standpoint: “Had there been a happy ending for the role of Katharina with Markus Kofler, the story of the two would have been told to a certain extent to its end.”
He also emphasized the importance of flexibility. “It could affect me someday too, in whatever form.
Either the series is discontinued or one stops – I have no idea what comes next. Either you make the decision yourself or it is made for you.” Many things are hard to predict, he said.
“That is precisely why it is so important to be free and independent.”
