Gerti Drassl's Relationship Chaos: New Comedy "This Isn't How We Raised You" Airs on TV Tonight
Honestly, folks, 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 Tyrol-born actress navigates a full-blown relationship crisis on screen, we get to kick back comfortably at home and take in the bigger picture. The new TV comedy "This Isn't How We Raised You" premieres tonight at 8:15 PM and turns the lives of two mothers 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 quite clever: Gerti Drassl plays Inka, who alongside her partner Balbina (the fantastic Brigitte Hobmeier) has built a picture-perfect family for over 20 years. These two feminists, back in the day armed with a sperm donor and plenty of idealism, raised their daughter Hedwig (Alina Schaller) to be a politically correct model child. And everything's going wonderfully—until Hedwig comes home one fine day and announces that she's not only met a man, but she wants to marry this guy Andreas (Julian Pichler).
Yes, that's right: A man! For a daughter who never needed a father figure! It's a bit much for Inka and Balbina to handle. And if you think that's the end of it, you haven't counted on best friend Edgar (Thomas Mraz), the future in-laws from Tyrol, or grumpy pub owner Toni (Wolfgang Böck). They all have to chime in with their two cents, and the chaos spirals from there.
"It's Not About Gender, It's About Power Structures"
While it sounds like a classic screwball comedy, it definitely has some depth. Gerti Drassl recently shared what the role really means to her: "We're stepping into a relationship that's already 25 years old, and suddenly, completely different needs collide over a single afternoon. As Inka, I never saw a contradiction between being a feminist and a homemaker—I really felt fulfilled as a mother."
And then there's this wonderful line from her worth remembering: "It's not about gender, it's about power structures. After a long time, you can lose respect for each other—whether it's 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 for a while, you know: The actress, born in Eppan in 1978, has long since won the hearts of the Austrian audience. After studying art history, she went to the Max Reinhardt Seminar, then straight into the ensemble of the Josefstadt Theatre. Whether theatre, film, or television—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."
Privately, she's completely at home in Vienna, speaks fluent Italian alongside German, and even has a South Tyrolean dialect. But what 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 to David Bowie to Muse. And she even has a very special memory of her father: "He worked at a bank, but was a passionate actor. We performed together at a well-known Viennese theatre."
What's in Store for Us Tonight
The comedy has been available online 24 hours in advance, but for all the traditionalists, the full viewing pleasure hits the screen tonight at 8:15 PM. So, if you're in the mood for:
- a generous dose of Viennese wit (dry, please!),
- 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 should mark the date in red on 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, good luck, the popcorn will be gone before the movie even really gets started.
With that in mind: Lights, camera, action!