Gerti Drassl's Relationship Rollercoaster: New Comedy "This Isn't How We Raised You" on TV Tonight

Come on, be honest – who hasn't at some point fancied spending a day in Gerti Drassl's shoes? Tonight, you might almost feel a twinge of envy – but only almost. Because while the South Tyrol-born actress is navigating 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 promptly turns the lives of two mothers on their heads.

A Family, a Man, and Total Mayhem

Director Michael Kreihsl and screenwriter Uli Brée – a master of Austrian humour – have cooked up something rather special here: Gerti Drassl plays Inka, who, alongside 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 armed with a sperm donor and plenty of idealism, raised their daughter Hedwig (Alina Schaller) to be a model of political correctness. And it's all working out swimmingly – until Hedwig comes home one fine day and announces that not only has she met a man, but she's planning to marry this Andreas (Julian Pichler).

Yes, that's right: a man! For a daughter who never needed a father figure! It's all a bit much for Inka and Balbina. And if you think that's the end of it, you haven't factored in best friend Edgar (Thomas Mraz), the future in-laws from Tyrol, or grumpy pub landlord Toni (Wolfgang Böck). They all weigh in with their two penn'orth, and the chaos spirals.

"It's Not About Gender, It's About Power Structures"

What sounds like a classic comedy of errors actually has some depth to it. Gerti Drassl recently revealed what the role really means to her: "We're stepping into a relationship that's already 25 years old, and suddenly, wildly different needs collide over a single afternoon. As Inka, I never saw a contradiction between being a feminist and being a housewife – I really felt I'd found my place as a mother."

And then there's this wonderful line from her, one to remember: "It's not about gender, it's about power structures. Over time, you can lose respect for each other – regardless of whether it's a same-sex relationship or not." Brigitte Hobmeier adds dryly: "The idea that same-sex relationships are more harmonious is just an assumption. We all grapple with jealousy, hurt, and feelings of abandonment."

A South Tyrolean in Vienna

If you've followed Gerti Drassl's career for a while, you'll know: the actress, born in Eppan in 1978, has long since won a place in the hearts of the Austrian public. After studying art history, she went to the Max Reinhardt Seminar, then straight into the ensemble of the prestigious Josefstadt theatre. Whether it's theatre, film or television – she simply does it all. And how! She's bagged the German Acting Award just as surely as the Austrian Film Prize, most recently in 2023 for "Märzengrund".

In her private life, she's firmly rooted 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 enthusiast. In a radio interview, she once shared her "favourite tracks" – from Tracy Chapman and David Bowie to Muse. And she even has a very special memory of her father: "He worked in a bank, but he was a passionate actor. We performed together at a well-known theatre in Vienna."

What's in Store for Us Tonight

The comedy has actually been available online for 24 hours already, but for all you traditionalists, the full viewing pleasure hits the screen tonight at 8.15 pm. So, if you fancy:

• a good dose of Viennese charm (the dry, sarcastic kind, naturally),
• two actresses you can't help but adore,
• family secrets bubbling to the surface,
• and Wolfgang Böck getting to be gloriously grumpy as pub landlord Toni,

then you should definitely mark the date in your calendar. Because one thing's for sure: when Gerti Drassl and Brigitte Hobmeier share the screen, it's never dull. And when the question of who Hedwig's biological father actually is hangs in the air – well, you can say goodbye to the popcorn before the film's even properly started.

With that in mind: lights, camera, action!