"Forbidden Love" is making a comeback. Wolfram Grandezka is also back as Ansgar von Lahnstein and promises: "He's just the same."
For over ten years Wolfram Grandezka (50) was an integral part of the ARD long-running hit "Verbotene Liebe". As the mean Count Ansgar von Lahnstein, he played his way into the hearts of millions of fans. Five years after the surprising out of the series, he is now returning to his star role. On November 23, ten new episodes of the popular series will start on TVNow with "Next Generation". What the fans can look forward to, Grandezka explains in an interview with spot on news and promises: "Ansgar is completely the same, anything else would be a disappointment for the audience as well."
Would you ever have thought that you could slip into the role of Ansgar von Lahnstein again?
Wolfram Grandezka: That was really a surprise, I was very happy when the news came. Ansgar has grown very dear to my heart. Life was a little bit more boring without him. But now he's back with lots of new intrigues. It is a challenge to continue a series like "Verbotene Liebe", which has been so celebrated, with the "Next Generation". But that turned out wonderfully. It's even more exciting!
How was it for you to be back in front of the camera as Ansgar?
Grandezka: As if I had never been away. Many of the team had worked for VL before, so there was a high level of professionalism right away. You feel like you're on a film set. We also shot inside our castle, in chic lofts, there was no longer a studio – a very chic look.
In the new episodes you come fresh out of jail. How has Ansgar fared all this time?
Grandezka: He still looks just as great as it did five years ago. Seriously, he lost everything and now wants everything back. And of course he knows exactly which tricks to work with and which women to eat. Ansgar is completely the same.
So he hasn't changed?
Grandezka: I think Ansgar is deep down, like all of us, looking for love, but the hunt for money and power often gets in the way. He stayed true to himself, anything else would be a disappointment for the audience. (laughs)
Like many fans, you were not enthusiastic about the twists and turns in the final "Forbidden Love" episodes. Do you agree to forgive the new episodes?
Grandezka: The ten new episodes are terrific, you don't have to hide behind any celebrated American series, "VL Next Generation" can easily keep up here. The storylines are very cleverly written, told very densely. There are a lot of twists and turns. And as Ansgar, I am not entirely innocent of many things …
How do you assess the cast around Heinz Hoenig and of course your old colleagues?
Grandezka: The cast is first class. I really enjoyed my scenes with Heinz Hoenig: Here two people in power compete in front of the camera and chat about the family behind the camera. Of course, I was also very happy to see Gaby Metzger, Jo Weil and Claudia Hiersche again. Especially with Claudi, who plays my sister Carla. We haven't stood in front of the camera together for years. As always, she left her brother Ansgar with a lack of respect. (laughs)
Would you also be available for further episodes?
Grandezka: Ansgar and other intrigues. This question doesn't even arise … Of course …
You are now part of the regular cast of the ARD telenovela "Rose Rosen". Are you still loyal to the series?
Grandezka: Yes, to that extent I stayed a little loyal to ARD. I will continue to shoot "Rote Rosen" and commute between Cologne and Lüneburg.