Dr. Sander leaves "The Dream Ship". In the farewell interview, actor Nick Wilder reveals why his wife was on board.
Nick Wilder (68, "Our Charly") played the role of the ship's doctor from January 2011 to December 2020. Wolf Sander on the "Traumschiff" (ZDF). Today's 2nd Christmas Day is his farewell tour with the episode "The Dream Ship: Cape Town" (8:15 pm). On board is his wife (since 1998), actress Christine Mayn (58, "Stadtklinik"). She plays the doctor's great love Kathrin Salzmann.
In a farewell interview with the news agency spot on news, Wilder reveals, among other things, how the last day of shooting was, whether tears have flowed, who his favorite captain was and how things will go on for him now.
Mr. Wilder, how difficult is it for you to say goodbye to the "dream ship"?
Nick Wilder: Not at all. Because as Doc Sander I have been traveling the oceans for ten years and have seen the whole world. Some places even twice. Christine (his wife, editor) was always there. We enjoyed it. Since Christine's first role in the episode in 1999, we have both been connected to the "dream ship". Now it was time to go.
What helps you over goodbyes?
Wilder: All of my plans, projects and adventures that are still ahead of me take a lot of time. We have it now. It remains exciting.
Your wife was also present in the farewell sequence. Was that some kind of gift from the production?
Wilder: Everything has to come to an end. After I told production that ten years was a nice round number to stop, the idea came from the broadcaster. They wanted to do it, according to old tradition, like my predecessor. And so in my last episode, like Horst Naumann (95, role: Doc Schröder), a woman has an influence on whether and how I hang up my uniform. A nice end to a ten year voyage on the world's oceans. Not only was it a gift for me, but it is certainly also a gift for the audience. All's well that ends well.
How was the shoot together?
Wilder: We had a lot of scenes together. But I'm not allowed to reveal anything yet. They read nicely in the script, but our director Helmut Metzger (born 1959, "For Heaven's Sake") staged them even more beautifully and captured them pictorially.
How did you feel about the last day of shooting?
Wilder: Due to the Covid situation all over the world, the guests on the MS Amadea and our film team were of course a little concerned. But everything was always very calm. Also my last day of shooting. And thanks to our Norwegian captain Jarle Flatebo, we arrived safely in Bremerhaven.
Was there a celebration afterwards?
Wilder: It was a farewell for both me and Christine, because she accompanied me for ten years and also played in a few episodes. So our joint clapperboard was based on the motto: "Champagne or sausages, flip-flops or patent leather shoes!" Because when we were filming the "Traumschiff" episodes for ten years we always moved between lonely dream beaches and luxury resorts. In that respect it suited the flair. Just dream ship. It was fun to say goodbye to our colleagues behind the camera, with whom we drove around the world for ten years.
And have tears flowed too?
Wilder: No. A real sailor doesn't cry. And in the film industry you meet again quickly. During my readings from my biography "Hello Herr Kaiser! Life is wilder than you think", I will certainly meet one or the other cruise guest somewhere on land or on board the MS Amadea.
What souvenir did you take from the set?
Wilder: I was given an original MS Amadea ship compass. It's in a special place at our home in Montana (USA). An original and beautiful gift that I was very happy about.
What was the most unforgettable scene for you in all these years?
Wilder: The very last shot. But I'm not allowed to reveal that. Traditionally, you can enjoy it at Christmas on December 26th at 8:15 p.m. on ZDF.
Will you watch the broadcast?
Wilder: Maybe they'll send me a DVD in advance. Then I will see her in Montana together with Christine at our home in our TING, the most beautiful place in the world. If I get it early enough, I'll quickly add English subtitles and invite all of our friends and neighbors.
What do you wish for your successor? Were you allowed to choose him?
Wilder: No, I had no influence on that. In any case, I wish a hand's breadth of water under the keel and a lot of fun going ashore.
Who was your favorite "dream ship" captain?
Wilder: Captain Jens Thorn from Travemünde, so the right captain. And from the actors by far Sascha Hehn (66, role: Captain Victor Burger from 2014-2019).
Which place would you like to travel to privately again?
Wilder: To the Seychelles. Absolutely fantastic beaches, heavenly peace, a clean island with friendly residents.
How are you doing next? What are your plans?
Wilder: I've looked back on my life so far for seven long months. An extremely interesting, but also not easy undertaking that I can only advise everyone. In doing so, I realized that my life was really wilder than I thought.
And how will you celebrate New Year's Eve in this unusual year?
Wilder: We're spending New Year's Eve at home in Montana. We will not only welcome the New Year there, but also toast our new President Joe Biden (78) and Vice President Kamala Harris (56).