Gerti Drassl's Relationship Chaos: New Comedy "That's Not How We Raised You" on TV Tonight
Honestly, who hasn't wanted to spend a day in Gerti Drassl's shoes? Tonight, you might almost get a bit jealous – but only almost. Because while the South Tyrol-born actress is going through a full-blown relationship crisis on screen, we get to kick back at home and enjoy the ride. The new TV comedy "That's Not How We Raised You" premieres tonight at 8:15 PM, and it's set to turn the lives of two mums completely upside down.
A Family, a Man, and Total Chaos
Director Michael Kreihsl and screenwriter Uli Brée – a master of Austrian humour – have cooked up something special: 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, who started their journey with a sperm donor and plenty of idealism, have raised their daughter Hedwig (Alina Schaller) to be a politically correct model child. Everything's going swimmingly – until Hedwig comes home one fine day and announces she's not only met a man but wants to marry this Andreas (Julian Pichler).
Yep, you heard right: A man! For a daughter who never needed a father figure! It's all a bit much for Inka and Balbina to take in. And if you think that's the end of it, you haven't factored in best mate Edgar (Thomas Mraz), the future in-laws from Tyrol, or grumpy local pub owner Toni (Wolfgang Böck). They all throw their two cents in, and the chaos spirals from there.
"It's Not About Gender, It's About Power Structures"
While it might sound like a classic farce, there's actually some real depth here. Gerti Drassl recently revealed what drew her to the role: "We're stepping into a relationship that's already 25 years old, and suddenly, a whole lot of different needs clash 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 brilliant line from her, well worth remembering: "It's not about gender, it's about power structures. After a long time together, 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 deal with jealousy, hurt, and feelings of abandonment."
A South Tyrolean in Vienna
If you've followed Gerti Drassl's career, you'll know she's carved a place for herself in the hearts of the Austrian audience. Born in Eppan in 1978, she studied art history before heading to the Max Reinhardt Seminar and then straight into the ensemble of the prestigious 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 Award, most recently in 2023 for "Märzengrund."
In her private life, she's firmly based in Vienna, speaks fluent Italian alongside German, and even has a South Tyrolean dialect. But here's something you might not know: Gerti Drassl is 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 father: "He worked in a bank, but he was a passionate actor. We even performed together at a well-known Viennese theatre."
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 experience hits the 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 can't help but love,
- family secrets bubbling to the surface,
- and Wolfgang Böck getting to be properly grumpy as pub owner Toni,
then you should 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 is starts hanging in the air – well, you'll be out of popcorn before the film's even really started.
With that in mind: Lights, camera, action!