Verena Altenberger has given up her “police call” role. In an interview, she reveals how the last day of shooting went.
For four years, Verena Altenberger (35) slipped into the role of investigator Elisabeth “Bessie” Eyckhoff for Munich’s “Polizeiruf 110”. Last summer, the Austrian actress announced her departure from the crime world. With the “Police call 110: Paranoia” her last case flickered on the screens this Sunday (June 11, the first).
The shooting took place in November 2022. “I had a year and a half to come to terms with the fact that this is my last case,” says Altenberger. She still thinks the decision to say goodbye to the “police call” is right. “But still sad.” In an interview with the news agency spot on news, she reveals whether there was a big farewell party, what she will miss the most and what she thinks of her successor Johanna Wokalek (48).
The “Police Call 110: Paranoia” is your last case as Elisabeth “Bessie” Eyckhoff. To what extent have you already said goodbye to your character and the crime world? Can you realize it yet?
Verena Altenberger: Yes, but for reasons of time. The decision has been in place for a long time and was communicated internally for a relatively long time. The public has known about it for a while too. In addition, the shoot was in November. So a lot of water has already run down the river. I’ve had a year and a half to come to terms with the fact that this is my last case. I still think the decision was the right one, but I still think it’s sad.
There are some extreme scenes in the film. Were they physically challenging? Or also emotionally because it was the last case?
Altenberger: Physically it was a bit challenging, although the stunts were absolutely fine by my standards. I’m glad I got to do a lot of stunts as Bessie. I like it when I can work out physically. Gymnastics on scaffolding – that’s my thing (laughs). I always find it emotionally challenging. Bessie is very empathetic, so I always have to go through other people’s feelings too.
How emotional was the last day of shooting for you?
Altenberger: Very emotional. The last few days of shooting are terrible, with any project. But at the last “police call” it was again a shovel on top. There is something called the premiere hole. In the theater you have it after the premiere and in the film after the last day of shooting. After this high phase, where there is so much adrenaline, excitement and concentration and you have to function every day, there is a great emptiness and sadness. I’m always the spoilsport at the graduation parties. I sit melancholy in the corner and have to motivate myself to dance.
What will you miss most about the “police call”?
Altenberger: The great thing is that the “Polizeiruf” doesn’t have a fixed team. That way you keep meeting people because they have lots of other projects. For example, I have worked again with the director Dominik Graf and the editor Claudia Simionescu. You meet up again and again on other projects, so luckily I can’t miss anyone. But I will miss the role. I fell madly in love with Bessie and it was lovely to play her. But I also had an aha moment on one of the last days of shooting: I made up Bessie, if I miss her a lot I can bring her out again.
Did you take a souvenir from the set?
Altenberger: I always take a little something with me from the set. This time I got Bessie’s glasses, which she wears when she works on the computer.
Is that some kind of lucky charm? Or are they objects to remember the time?
Altenberger: Some things I use in everyday life, for example a nice blouse. Sometimes it’s impractical things that you can only put away. But somehow it’s fun to have them. For example, I wore a cape in my role at the Salzburg Festival. I got this as a gift afterwards, which was very nice. But I’ll probably never be able to wear it (laughs).
Was your farewell celebrated with the team?
Altenberger: Yes, but not with everyone who has ever played a part in a case. That would have gone beyond the realm of possibility. It would have been a separate gala (laughs). But it is customary to have a closing party after the last days of shooting. That’s actually the case with every project. What is offered at the festivals varies. Sometimes there is a best-of from the outtakes or even a short trailer. I don’t think there were any videos when the last “police call” was made.
What was it like saying goodbye to your colleagues, including Stephan Zinner?
Altenberger: It was all very warm, there were very long hugs. There were also a few tears. Write: “Stephan Zinner cried a lot.” (laughs)
What moment or scene from your “Polizeiruf” time will you never forget?
Altenberger: I will remember many things. At first I was really scared, after all I was supposed to take over from Matthias Brandt and for a long time I was the only detective investigating alone. So you can’t shift the responsibility, you’re on your own when things go flop. At least that’s what you tell yourself. I was very scared and my first crime novel was totally unusual. The case was solved with the help of hypnosis. A few days before shooting started, I really panicked. The director Florian Schwarz said to me: “Oh come on, if we hit the wall, then at least with full karacho. Otherwise it’s no fun.” That was an encouraging start for me. I will not forget the case of “Frau Schrödinger’s cat” either. This gave me a different perspective of Munich. That was also our aim in the “police call”: not only show the beautiful Munich, but also the abysses and bumps. And of course working with Dominik Graf!
Will you miss Munich?
Altenberger: Totally. I really enjoyed being in Munich. But the great thing is: I just go there when I miss the city.
Did you personally take something with you from that time when you called the police?
Altenberger: It was the last four years of my life. A lot has happened, my life has changed completely. Even if six cases doesn’t sound like an incredibly long time – for me it’s almost a third of my entire career so far.
Who will you watch your last “police call” with? Alone, with family or with friends?
Altenberger: I’ve seen him twice. I honestly don’t know if I’ll watch it a third time. Not because I don’t want to see them anymore, but I don’t know where I’ll be right now and what the weather will be like (laughs).
The ending of your last case leaves a lot open. A backdoor for a possible comeback?
Altenberger: My suggestion would have been that Bessie went from being a good investigator to an avenging angel and killed someone herself. But the people in charge probably didn’t want that… But I made a very clear decision for myself and played it that way. That’s why the end isn’t open to me either.
Her successor is Johanna Wokalek as Chief Inspector Cris Blohm. Can you give her a tip along the way?
Altenberger: You don’t have to give Johanna Wokalek any tips. You just have to tell her, “I love you, you’re such a fantastic actress. It’s so incredibly cool that you’re my successor.”
What are you up to in the future? Is there already a new project that is ready to be announced?
Altenberger: I turned off two smaller projects that were close to my heart. I’m part of a German movie called “Im Rosengarten” by Leis Bagdach with Kostja Ullmann. I can also be seen in David Schalko’s new “Kafka” series. Work will soon begin on another German feature film, which I’m really looking forward to. In autumn I will take on my first major role in an international project. There is also a theater request for late autumn.
Does that sound like a very busy schedule?
Altenberger: Yes, but it works. For 2023, I have resolved to allow myself more rest. I did that too. Now I’m scratching my hooves and want to start again. The batteries are fully charged.