"You two are the heart of the series": Comments like this are currently gathering under an Instagram post by Karin Thaler (61). The actress posted a photo from the makeup chair and said goodbye to her colleague Marisa Burger (53), who is leaving "Rosenheim-Cops" after 25 years.
The response has been significant. Many fans emphasize how hard it is for them to say goodbye to the beloved character. "Don't even want to think about Mrs. Stockl leaving", one comment reads. And some even fear that the soul of the series could now be lost and that the personnel change might mark the beginning of the end.
"One of our last days of filming"
In the photo, Marisa Burger is sitting in the chair, Karin Thaler stands behind her, the women holding hands. "One of our last days of filming", wrote Thaler, who has played the role of Marie Hofer since the first episode in 2002. "It was always wonderful, creative, uncomplicated, appreciative, and fun with us!"
Between the lines, there's also information that many have been waiting for. Thaler emphasizes that the new episodes will start in fall "and Marisa will still be there at the beginning". So the actress, who has played secretary Miriam Stockl since the series premiere, won't be accompanying the entire season anymore. It's at least a "small consolation" that she'll still be seen one more time, one viewer emphasized. Burger herself requested the departure, as ZDF announced in spring 2025.
Sarah Thonig moves up
The position at the police headquarters won't remain vacant. Sarah Thonig (34) is moving up with her role as Christin Lange, who has been part of the ensemble as a receptionist since 2015. Thonig told ZDF about the new assignment: "Marisa created a totally iconic character. These are very, very big shoes to fill. For me, Marisa somehow embodies the 'Rosenheim-Cops.'"
Marisa Burger enjoys theater work and book tours
Meanwhile, Burger has reoriented her professional life after a quarter century. "I'm mainly doing theater right now. I'm also still on a book tour with my musician", she told spot on news in June at the film festival party "Servus München" by Bavaria Studios & Bavaria Fiction. "I've really, really enjoyed that and it will continue next year too."
She looks back on her long time with the ZDF series with good memories: "25 years of 'Rosenheim-Cops' - it was really great fun and it was a very important part of my life." But it was also important for her "to discover something new for herself" again. "I still have the energy and joy for it."
Two more departures from "Rosenheim-Cops"
With the upcoming season, it's not just goodbye to Marisa Burger. Isabel Mergl, who played Hilde Stadler, and Christian K. Schaeffer, who played "Times Square" innkeeper Ignaz "Jo" Casper for 20 years, are also leaving the popular series.
