New medical series “With Heart and Holly”
Former “Polizeiruf” star Jaecki Schwarz on fan encounters
“With Heart and Holly”: Dr. Holly Sass (Karoline Teska) in conversation with Dr. Wernitz (Jaecki Schwarz).
© ZDF / Stefan Erhard
In “With Heart and Holly” there is a reunion with ex-“Polizeiruf” star Jaecki Schwarz. This still connects him with the cult role today.
The focus of the new medical series “With Heart and Holly” is country doctor Dr. Katrin Herz (Inka Friedrich, 58), who runs a practice in the picturesque imperial and Hanseatic city of Tangermünde on the Elbe in northern Saxony-Anhalt. Just as she is urgently looking for a replacement, her Berlin colleague Dr. Holly Sass (Karoline Teska, 35, “Alone Amongst” series) enters, who is actually looking for her birth mother. Herz and Holly get into business… The first two films “Diagnosis Restart” and “Mother Feelings” will be broadcast on ZDF tomorrow, Sunday (November 12th) and November 19th at 8:15 p.m.
In an interview with the news agency spot on news, the Berlin actor revealed, among other things, what still connects him with the cult role today, how he keeps fit and why the filming location reminds him of his deceased crime colleague.
They stopped using “Police Call 110” ten years ago. Are you still following these crime novels?
Jaecki Schwarz: I only see crime novels sporadically. When I think about it, I watch it on Sundays and if I like it, I finish watching the film, otherwise I tune out. I have a little more to do with it when I’m approached by people who still recognize me – we filmed the first “Polizeiruf 110” in 1996. I’m happy about that.
You are starring in the new two-parter “Heart and Holly”. Why did you want to play?
Schwarz: The role of this somewhat obscure former doctor Dr. I had a lot of fun playing Volker Wernitz, with all his shades of gray. This is the kind of Bunsen burner roll I like. You can’t experiment a lot, you have to get right to the point.
In the film you are in a wheelchair. Is that also the case in real life?
Black: No. I actually use it at the moment because I have a bad foot, but that’s only temporary and only for longer distances.
How do you stay fit, physically and mentally?
Schwarz: I’ve never played sports because I wasn’t good at it from a young age. And that hasn’t changed either. But I’m already training my memory, preferably with Sudokus. I then puzzle it out and the result is still quite good so far.
Have you ever looked into the topic of rural doctors? How can we solve the problem of missing so many?
Schwarz: Doctors are needed in rural areas more than ever. I believe that the only way to solve the problem is to throw money at rural doctors. If you can earn double or triple what you earn in the city, then people will go out to work in the countryside. Because of course you can’t really make a career there, which many people want. The current development is sad; apparently idealism alone is no longer enough.
Maybe a two-parter like “Heart and Holly” isn’t such a bad way to show the beautiful side of the life of a country doctor?
Schwarz: Yes, sure, maybe it will help. We also tried to portray the life of a country doctor in a somewhat sunny manner.
The films take place in Tangermünde in the Altmark. Did you know that before?
Schwarz: Yes, I’ve filmed there before. That was a very nice film with my unfortunately deceased colleague Wolfgang Winkler. It was called “The Dream Couple” [2008] and also played in this city. That’s why I know Tangermünde very well. We lived at the castle for four weeks back then. It is a beautiful city with a charming town hall in a beautiful area on the Elbe. Everything is a little slower and not so hectic, a typical small town. Wolfgang and I fell in love with this little town back then. As a native of Berlin, I couldn’t imagine moving. I can only recommend everyone to spend a few days on vacation there. It’s worth it.
What can your fans look forward to next after the film?
Black: I’m still in the “Strong Team” [ZDF-Krimireihe, seit 1994] to see. My character is a bit of a running joke. He shows up every now and then and makes you smile because he always has ideas that don’t come to fruition. And in my old age, I really appreciate this role with its short filming days. I really enjoy doing this and have a lot of fun doing it. Otherwise I don’t do anything big. Small things are always welcome, but there’s nothing on the agenda at the moment…