What do you like about the character of former district attorney Karin Lossow, whom you portray in the Usedom crime series?
I like her directness. Even though she has her secrets, she’s always honest and straightforward. “God created lies so that we humans could be better off,” as the saying goes. But Karin Lossow hardly ever tells white lies. Moreover, it takes a great deal of courage to return, after eight years in prison, to the place where she killed her husband—even to the house that’s now called “Mörderhus.” She could have chosen a different path and started over somewhere else, but Karin Lossow faces her past head-on. That takes courage. With a smile or an ironic remark, she responds to the spiteful things people say to her in everyday life. I admire this attitude of hers.
Are there any similarities between the character Karin Lossow and you?
The directness with which Karin Lossow approaches life is perhaps one thing we have in common. Otherwise, she’s completely self-sufficient and doesn’t need anyone by her side. Like most people, I need external validation. The entire acting profession is based on the desire for validation and recognition.
You’ve had a dog by your side for some time now. Can you bring Lucky with you to Usedom? How does that work with the filming schedule?
We have a set manager who has a dog herself and is even a dog trainer. Lucky is in excellent hands with her. He just needs to see her and he’s happy. At the same time, she works with him on his training. It’s really tough! And then I think, I’d better not watch. She takes off his leash, says “sit!” and he sits. I wonder, why doesn’t he do that for me? By the way, he’ll also be appearing in the Usedom crime series soon. I was able to convince producer Tim Gehrke that Karin Lossow should get a dog. But we’ll definitely need a dog trainer on set during filming. I really struggle with training him…
How long have you had Lucky?
He’s one year and three months old now, but I’ve only had him for one year and one month. I know the exact date because I’m so in love with him.
The “Usedom Crime” series also always features the Polish side of the island. Do you ever go over to Świnoujście yourself?
Yes, I enjoy that. We filmed there just once in September—it just couldn’t be done any later. We stayed at a conference hotel in Świnoujście. The hustle and bustle was insane: people from Saxony, Poles, countless children—the dining room was packed. And I had two days off and wanted to go to the beach. That was completely out of the question. The crowds coming back from the beach literally swept right over me. I thought I was going to go crazy there. But then I went into town and actually found the promenade very nice.
Do you have a ritual you use to get into character as Karin Lossow?
There’s one thing, though, that I wouldn’t exactly call it a ritual: When I travel to Usedom for filming, I always arrive a day earlier than the schedule calls for. I need that day to get in the right frame of mind for filming. First, I need to settle in peacefully. But that’s only the case here—I wouldn’t do that, for example, if I were about to shoot in Munich. It certainly has to do with the special atmosphere that Usedom exudes. I don’t need it directly for the role, but I need it for my own emotional connection to the role.
Do you even have time to explore the island during breaks from filming? Are there any favorite spots on the island that you visit in your free time?
Oh yes, there are so many. And I’m always discovering new ones. My absolute favorite spot is right there. (She points to the Baltic Sea.) When I look out at the sea, I’m happy… It’s just amazing. That long, wide beach—so beautiful. I won’t have time today, but tomorrow morning I’ll at least have to roll up my pants, put Lucky on a leash, and dip my feet in the water.
Thank you so much for talking with me!