Gerti Drassl's Relationship Rollercoaster: New Comedy "This Isn't How We Raised You" Airs Tonight
Honestly, who hasn't wished they could spend a day in Gerti Drassl's shoes? Tonight, you might almost feel jealous – but only almost. Because while the South Tyrolean native goes through a full-blown relationship crisis on screen, we get to kick back comfortably at home and enjoy 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 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 really special: Gerti Drassl plays Inka, who together with her partner Balbina (brilliantly played by 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. Everything's going swimmingly – until Hedwig comes home one fine day and announces that not only has she met a man, but she wants to marry this Andreas (Julian Pichler).
Yes, you read that right: A man! For a daughter who never needed a father figure! That's a bit much for Inka and Balbina to stomach. And if you think that's it, you haven't counted on best friend Edgar (Thomas Mraz), the future in-laws from Tyrol, and grumpy pub owner Toni (Wolfgang Böck). They all have to put in their two cents' worth, and the chaos snowballs from there.
"It's Not About Gender, But Power Structures"
While it sounds like a classic mistaken-identity comedy, it actually has some depth. Gerti Drassl recently revealed what the role really means to her: "We step into a relationship that's already 25 years old, and suddenly, a whole bunch of different needs collide in a single afternoon. As Inka, I never saw a contradiction between being a feminist and a housewife – I really felt like I'd found my place as a mother."
And then there's this wonderful quote from her worth remembering: "It's not about gender, but about power structures. Over 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 deal with jealousy, hurt, and feelings of abandonment."
A South Tyrolean in Vienna
If you've been following Gerti Drassl 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 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 bagged 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 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 pieces" – from Tracy Chapman to 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 at a well-known Viennese theatre."
What's In Store For Us Tonight
By the way, the comedy has been available online for 24 hours already, but for all you traditionalists, the full-screen experience airs tonight at 8.15 pm. So if you're in the mood for:
- a good dose of Viennese wit (dry, please!),
- two actresses you simply have to 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, goodbye popcorn, it'll be gone before the film's even really started.
With that in mind: Lights, camera, action!