The "Heidi" series planned by RTL and Swiss broadcaster SRF is getting high-caliber reinforcement: Christian Kohlund (75) will portray Alpöhi, also known as Almöhi. Heike Makatsch (54) will slip into the role of the strict Miss Rottenmeier, Charly Hübner (53) will be seen as Mr. Sesemann.
Young actress Neah Hefti (12) was already introduced as the new Heidi in April. Playing alongside her is János de Weck as Goat-Peter. Filming is already underway: Initial shooting took place in Cologne and the surrounding area, and in the coming months the Swiss Bergell will serve as a natural backdrop.
The new series continues the world-famous story
The series builds on the literary original by Johanna Spyri (1827-1901), but continues the story where Spyri left off. Heidi must find her own place - between the familiar freedom on the mountain pasture and the new worlds that are opening up to her. Lotte Engels plays Clara, Dominique Devenport takes on the role of Peter's mother Brigitte. Additional roles are played by Roeland Wiesnekker, Matthias Britschgi, Esther Gemsch and Selina Furrer, among others.
The directors are Johannes Bachmann, known for the Swiss series "Tschugger", and Isa Prahl, who attracted attention with "Deutsches Haus". The series concept comes from head writer Valentina Brüning, who developed the scripts together with Swiss writers Seraina Nyikos and Béatrice Huber.
"Heidi" boom for Johanna Spyri anniversary
The co-production between RTL and SRF is not the only new "Heidi" adaptation in the works. Shortly before the two broadcasters presented their project over a year ago, Zodiac Pictures, Claussen+Putz Filmproduktion and Studiocanal Series also announced a miniseries.
One reason for the renewed interest in the character is likely Johanna Spyri's 200th birthday in 2027. Both series are scheduled to launch in this anniversary year.
Spyri published the novel "Heidis Lehr- und Wanderjahre" in 1880, followed a year later by "Heidi kann brauchen, was es gelernt hat". The story of the orphan girl Heidi, who moves to the mountains to live with her grandfather Almöhi, has since been adapted multiple times for cinema and television.
Particularly well-known is the Japanese anime series from 1974. In 2015, a feature film with Bruno Ganz as Almöhi and Anuk Steffen as Heidi was also released in theaters.
