If Ronja Researcher When she talks about her great love, you can feel her smile through the phone – that’s how happy he is “Mountain Doctor”star with husband Felix Briegel. In an interview with GALA, the actress reveals what brought the two of them together even more in 2023.
Next year, “Der Bergdoktor” will celebrate its coming of age: the popular ZDF series has been delighting a wide audience for 18 years – and Ronja Forcher has been there from the start. “18 years, what that sounds like – amazing!” says the actress in the GALA interview. And the 27-year-old doesn’t seem to be thinking about quitting: “As long as the series exists, I’ll be there!” emphasizes Forcher, letting her fan base breathe a sigh of relief.
Ronja Forcher and her husband have a new hobby
The Tyrolean describes herself as a very loyal person to her husband Felix Briegel she has found the person of her heart. The actor couple has been married for over a year now – and is still as in love as the first day. “When I’m with Felix, I immediately feel better and I can go straight down – and it’s the same the other way around,” enthuses Forcher and reveals her tip for a happy relationship: finding a hobby together.
How was filming the 17th “Bergdoktor” season?
It was a lot of fun, a few new faces were added and it was particularly great for my character Lilli Gruber that after all the drama in the last season she was able to show a little more of herself and grow up a little more .
You told me about filming the last season that you have rarely shed so many tears on set. Did you need less tissues this time?
Yes, this year there were definitely fewer tears and less drama, which I don’t think is a bad thing. Personally, I liked filming this year better than 2022 – it was the same as before. There are more cheerful scenes and I think that makes the audience a lot more fun to watch.
Sounds like 2022 was really exhausting.
I didn’t like the 16th season badly, I found the episodes very unusual, but I think our fans will like the new season more. And I can only agree with that, we have extremely exciting stories, great guests and the Gruber family has finally come closer together again.
Did you get a lot of negative reactions to the last season?
I can understand the opinions of viewers who want a little more peace and cohesion and not so much argument, because we are of course a family series and many people like to switch off from everyday life when they watch us. Nevertheless, I think that the 16th season was like a small reboot and maybe it took all the drama to continue for many years.
Has the mood on set changed since then?
No, we can all separate that quite well. But of course we as actors are concerned with the themes of our roles, I can’t just shake off Lilli’s pain when she deals with her dead mother.
You just said that new faces have joined. I heard a rumor that Lilli Gruber has a new illegitimate brother?
(laughs) I have to suggest that, I find it very exciting.
Can you add your own ideas to the script?
I couldn’t suggest that Lilli found a women’s shelter and then it would be implemented. It doesn’t go that far. (laughs) But I talk a lot with our junior producer and we both have a very similar view of the role of Lilli Gruber and we think together about what should happen next for this young woman. After all these years, I see a very clear responsibility for this figure; she should be a good role model and pass on the values that I live as a private person, Ronja Forcher.
What values are these?
I hope that Lilli, as a young woman, takes a modern position in this series and finds professional fulfillment – even though we are a hometown series. We have so many strong women in our ensemble and I hope that it continues just as independently for all of us.
Luckily for all fans, it sounds like you don’t plan on leaving in the next few years…
I’m a very loyal person, I feel incredibly comfortable with my role and the production and that’s why it’s clear to me: I’ll be there as long as the series exists! It has been a special task for me since I was nine years old to be in front of the camera as Lilli Gruber and it would be unthinkable for me to just leave now. This is the path in life that I have chosen for myself, regardless of whether others put me in a box because of it. And as a Tyrolean, it’s even nicer to have a reason to travel regularly from Potsdam to my homeland.
Speaking of being part of the Bergdoktor for 17 years: Has your grandmother watched an episode in the meantime? Last year you told me she had never watched a season.
I still don’t believe it now, unless she just didn’t tell me. (laughs) That’s what I like about my grandma, I’m just her granddaughter and it doesn’t matter if other people know me.
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You live in Potsdam with your husband Felix, but you don’t rule out moving back to Tyrol at some point. Are you already making urgent plans?
No, neither of us have any desire to leave Germany in the next five years. We feel very comfortable here and don’t want to change that at the moment.
This year you also celebrated your first wedding anniversary. Did you do anything special?
I carved Felix and I a game board for the game we played all the time on our honeymoon – and it turned out amazingly well, even though I’m really not handy. (laughs) Otherwise we ate well, opened some wine and then played the game, maybe we even went to the theater, I can’t remember exactly.
Sounds like a perfect day! What is your recipe for happiness?
We are both fundamentally very down-to-earth, content and happy people and are lucky to have found a partner who reinforces this feeling. When I’m with Felix, I immediately feel better and can go straight down – and it’s the same the other way around. This year we also found a common hobby, extreme hiking. I took part in the Mammoth March and raised money, and Felix supported me. We’ve been training together since May and the entire preparation was really nice and bonded us even more.
With such an extreme hobby, doesn’t it sometimes pop?
I was really curious to see how this march would go – after all, it’s 55 kilometers in one day and everyone reacts to this effort differently. Some become quiet, others aggressive. For Felix and me it was completely different than we first thought: We didn’t chat much with each other or listen to music, we just walked next to each other, each for ourselves. Unfortunately, I injured my ankle about halfway through, but even then Felix looked after me so lovingly, carried my backpack and taped my foot. We were able to push each other again and again and when we crossed the finish line at 12:10 a.m. after 16 hours, we both cried completely. I will never forget this moment.
Hats off, that’s really a strong performance! Do you want to continue this next year?
In any case! Next year I really want to go on another mammoth march and my dream would be to take part in the 100 kilometer run in Copenhagen, but I still have to persuade Felix a bit. (laughs)
What are your plans for 2024?
Next year will be quite exciting, but unfortunately I can’t reveal much yet. But I will definitely continue making music, performing live and also writing a few new songs. And of course I’m filming the 18th season of “Der Bergdoktor”. 18 years, what that sounds like – crazy!