"It was a bit like coming home", enthuses Jo Weil about his comeback on "Verbotene Liebe".
As Olli Sabel in "Verbotene Liebe", Jo Weil (43) has built a large and international fan base. Now he is returning to his popular role with "Verbotene Liebe – Next Generation". From November 23, there will be ten new episodes of the popular Adelssoap on TVNow. "It was a bit like coming home," enthuses the actor in an interview with the news agency spot on news and gives an outlook on the "new Olli". "I'm pretty sure we'd be good friends in real life."
Did you ever think that you could slip into the role of Oliver Sabel again?
Jo Weil: One of my life mottos is "never say never". When I dropped out of "Verbotene Liebe" in 2002, there was no telling that I would return to the series as Olli five years later. Then VL was my professional home again for many years until I had my last day of shooting as Olli again in 2014. Shortly afterwards the series was canceled and there was actually no realistic possibility that Olli could become part of my life again. Nevertheless, I always had the feeling that we would meet again at some point. I don't know why, but it is probably not for nothing that people say: "All good things come in threes!" So maybe not really thought, but felt and hoped!
How did you react when you heard about the plans for the new edition?
Because: When my agent called me with the request, I immediately said "Yes!" said. Without knowing much about "Forbidden Love – Next Generation". From my gut I knew without any thought that I wanted to be part of it. Only then did I ask what was actually planned. And when I had read the great scripts, I just couldn't help but look forward to the upcoming shooting time with every fiber of my body.
How was it for you to be in front of the camera again as Olli?
Because: It felt a bit like I was meeting a good old friend again. I've been lending my body and my emotions to Olli for many years – something like that connects enormously, of course. From countless messages from fans all over the world, I know how much Olli and his story mean to them. That always makes me incredibly proud. So I see it as a great gift to be able to play this special character again.
How has Olli been doing all this time?
Because: Olli has had good years. He is now very successful as a full-time model and the male face for the Verhoven Classic Line. In his private life he was able to come to terms with events in his past and is now ready again to open his heart to the one, right person …
How has he changed?
Because: Olli has matured. He's still the loving and self-sacrificing friend he always was. And he still believes in great love. But he has also learned to be a little more careful sometimes. There is also a big change in his life that has turned some things upside down in him. Personally, I really like the new Olli and I'm pretty sure we'd be good friends in real life.
How do the new episodes differ from the old ones?
Because: "Verbotene Liebe – Next Generation" is a high-class drama series in ten great episodes. We only shoot in real locations, so there are no longer any studios. Everything is bigger, richer, more glamorous, more forbidden. We have great scripts and a lot of (forbidden) love and eroticism.
How do you rate the cast around Heinz Hoenig and of course your old colleagues?
Because: Our cast is top-class and fantastic, right down to the smallest roles. It was a huge pleasure to be in front of the camera with all these colleagues. Wonderful moments were created in the interplay and I am really happy and grateful to be part of this great ensemble.
How was the reunion with your old colleagues?
Because: It was a bit like coming home, especially with Gabriele Metzger, who plays my serial aunt Charlie Schneider. We have been a TV family for over 20 years and have grown together privately over this long period. We had regular contact even during the time without VL, but to be in front of the camera together again was just really nice. The first time we shared a scene, I got goose bumps. It just felt so familiar and right to hold my "aunties" again. A special moment in 2020.
Would you also be available for further episodes?
Because: Without batting an eyelid! I had a lot of fun with the filming and fell in love with my colleagues, in front of and behind the camera, in no time at all. I was also allowed to play one of the most beautiful stories that I have ever experienced as Olli. In this respect, I would really like to know what else the scriptwriters have in store for him. So I really hope that the audience will enjoy the new episodes as much as I felt when they were shooting. A second season would certainly be a great Christmas present for all of us.