Gerti Drassl in Relationship Chaos: New Comedy "This Isn't How We Raised You" on TV Tonight
Seriously, folks, who hasn't wished at some point to spend a day in Gerti Drassl's shoes? Tonight, you might almost feel envious – but only almost. Because while the South Tyrolean native goes through a full-blown relationship crisis on screen, we get to sit back comfortably at home and enjoy the big picture. The new TV comedy "This Isn't How We Raised You" premieres tonight at 8:15 PM, completely turning the lives of two mothers upside down.
A Family, One Man, and Total Chaos
Director Michael Kreihsl and screenwriter Uli Brée – the master of Austrian humour – have cooked up something really delightful: Gerti Drassl plays Inka, who, together with her partner Balbina (the fantastic 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 everything's going wonderfully – until one fine day Hedwig comes home and announces that she's not only met a man, but she wants to marry this Andreas (Julian Pichler).
Yes, you heard that right: A man! For a daughter who never needed a father figure! That's just a bit too much for Inka and Balbina to handle. And if you think that's it, you haven't reckoned with best friend Edgar (Thomas Mraz), the future in-laws from Tyrol, or grumpy pub owner Toni (Wolfgang Böck). They all have to put their two cents in, and the chaos spirals out of control.
"It's Not About Gender, But Power Structures"
While it sounds like a classic screwball comedy, it definitely has some depth. Gerti Drassl recently revealed what the role is really about for her: "We step into a relationship that's already 25 years old, and suddenly, very different needs clash over a single afternoon. As Inka, I never saw a contradiction between being a feminist and a homemaker – I felt very fulfilled as a mother."
And then there's this wonderful line from her, one worth jotting down: "It's not about gender, but 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 drily, "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 public. After studying art history, she went to the Max Reinhardt Seminar, then straight into the ensemble of the prestigious Theater in der Josefstadt. Whether theatre, film, or television – she does it all. And how! She's bagged the German Acting Award just as she has 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 fanatic. In a radio interview, she once shared her "favourite pieces" – 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 was a passionate actor. We performed together in a well-known Viennese theatre."
What Awaits Us Tonight
By the way, the comedy has been available online for 24 hours already, but for all the traditionalists, the full enjoyment is on screen tonight at 8:15 PM. So, if you're in the mood for:
- a healthy dose of Viennese wit (dry, please!),
- two actresses you simply have to love,
- family secrets coming to light,
- and Wolfgang Böck, who gets 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, then the popcorn will be gone before the film has even really started.
With that in mind: Lights, camera, action!