Gerti Drassl in a Relationship Twist: New Comedy "Not How We Raised You" Airs Tonight on TV
Honestly, who hasn't wished they could spend a day in Gerti Drassl's shoes? Tonight, you might almost get jealous – but only almost. Because while the South Tyrolean-born actress goes through a full-blown relationship crisis on screen, we get to kick back at home and enjoy the ride. The new TV comedy "Not How We Raised You" premieres tonight at 8:15 pm, and it's about to turn the lives of two mums completely upside down.
A Family, a Man, and Total Chaos
Director Michael Kreihsl and screenwriter Uli Brée – the master of Austrian humour – have cooked up something pretty special: Gerti Drassl plays Inka, who, together with her partner Balbina (the brilliant Brigitte Hobmeier), has been living a picture-perfect family life for over 20 years. These two feminists, back in the day with a sperm donor and plenty of idealism, raised their daughter Hedwig (Alina Schaller) to be a politically correct model child. And it's all going swimmingly – until Hedwig comes home one fine day and announces she's not only met a bloke but plans to marry this Andreas (Julian Pichler).
Yep, you heard right: A man! For a daughter who never needed a father figure! It's a bit much for Inka and Balbina to swallow. And if you think that's it, you haven't counted on best mate Edgar (Thomas Mraz), the future in-laws from Tyrol, or grumpy pub owner Toni (Wolfgang Böck). They all have their own thoughts on the matter, and the chaos truly begins.
"It's Not About Gender, It's About Power Structures"
While it sounds like a classic comedy of errors, there's real depth here. Gerti Drassl recently revealed what the role means to her: "We drop into a relationship that's already 25 years old, and suddenly, completely different needs clash over the course of a single afternoon. As Inka, I never saw a contradiction between being a feminist and a housewife – I really felt I'd found my place as a mother."
And then she dropped this brilliant line worth remembering: "It's not about gender, it's about power structures. After a long time, you can lose respect for each other – whether you're in a same-sex relationship or not." Brigitte Hobmeier adds dryly: "The idea that homogeneous relationships are more harmonious is just an assumption. We all struggle with jealousy, hurt, and feelings of abandonment."
A South Tyrolean in Vienna
If you've followed Gerti Drassl's career, you'll know the actress, born in Eppan in 1978, has well and truly won the hearts of the Austrian public. After studying art history, she went to the Max Reinhardt Seminar, then straight into the ensemble of the renowned Josefstadt theatre. Whether it's theatre, film or TV – she does it all. And how! She's snagged both the German Acting Award and the Austrian Film Prize, most recently in 2023 for "Märzengrund".
In private life, she's firmly based in Vienna, speaks fluent Italian as well as German, and even has a South Tyrolean dialect. But here's something many don't know: Gerti Drassl is also a bit of a music nut. In a radio interview, she once shared her favourite tracks – from Tracy Chapman and David Bowie to Muse. And she has a particularly special memory of her dad: "He worked in a bank, but he was a passionate actor. We performed together in a well-known Viennese theatre."
What's in Store Tonight
The comedy has been available online for 24 hours already, but for all you traditionalists, the full-screen enjoyment kicks off tonight at 8:15 pm. So, if you're keen for:
- a decent dose of Viennese wit (dry, of course!),
- two actresses you can't help but love,
- family secrets coming to light,
- and Wolfgang Böck getting to be properly grumpy as pub owner Toni,
then you'd better mark the date in your calendar. Because one thing's for sure: when Gerti Drassl and Brigitte Hobmeier share the screen, it's never boring. And when the question of who Hedwig's biological father actually is hangs in the air – well, you'll be out of popcorn before the film's even properly started.
With that in mind: Lights, camera, action!