“The boss”
That is why Christoph Schechinger is leaving
Katharina Böhm and Christoph Schechinger in the successful ZDF crime series “Die Chefin”.
© ZDF / Michael Marhoffer
Christoph Schechinger can be seen one last time in “Die Chefin” on Friday. That’s why he gets out of the successful crime series.
Another farewell is due for “Die Bossin”: Chief Inspector Vera Lanz (Katharina Böhm) and her colleague Paul Böhmer (Jürgen Tonkel) unexpectedly have to do without Inspector Murnau (Christoph Schechinger). The actor can be seen for the last time in the successful crime series in the episode “Murnau” (October 29, 8:15 pm, ZDF).
“It was with a heavy heart that I decided to leave this great team,” explains Schechinger in an interview with the news agency spot on news. The 35-year-old only joined Vera Lanz’s team in 2018 after the death of Detective Inspector Jan Trompeter (Stefan Rudolf). However, Schechinger does not rule out a comeback of his character.
Why are you getting out of the series “Die Bossin”?
Christoph Schechinger: “The Boss” is a wonderful project in every respect. I learned a lot there and enjoyed the time immensely. But I believe that you have to keep moving in order to grow, develop and refine your craft. In order to have more time for the family and new challenges, I decided with a heavy heart to leave this great team.
How difficult was the decision for you?
Schechinger: Very, very difficult. And I have to admit that not a day goes by that I don’t think about my colleagues and my time in Munich. The Network Movie, especially our producer Susanne Flor and producer Wolfgang Cimera and my co-stars Katharina Böhm and Jürgen Tonkel have always been very good to me. They took me in, gave me opportunities and made me shine because they trusted me so much. I will never forget that. Even if my exit was based on a purely rational and professional decision, sometimes it feels like abandoning friends.
How did your colleagues react?
Schechinger: First and foremost with understanding and love. Of course we talked a lot and sadness and disappointment always resonate with such decisions, but they understood it and always supported me. I couldn’t have asked for a better team than these wonderful people.
Were you able to make suggestions about your exit yourself?
Schechinger: I think we would always have been open to suggestions. However, I did not see myself in the position to make claims after such a decision. There is a very talented team of authors whom I have placed my complete confidence in for a dignified end to the figure
Could you also have imagined a spectacular serial death?
Schechinger: I have to admit, I am glad that there was no serial death. Murnau’s predecessor Jan Trompeter has already overtaken this fate and I think the path we have chosen gives the figure additional depth and also gives the audience the opportunity to interpret it themselves.
Perhaps you will come back to “The Boss” at some point?
Schechinger: Never say never. I enjoyed every minute that I was allowed to spend with this team and if I were to be invited again, it would be an honor for me.
What will you remember most from the series?
Schechinger: The “boss” family, each and every one of the team. The wonderful city of Munich, which is beautiful in every season. Katharina’s laugh. Sitting together in the evening. Jürgen’s infinite encyclopedia of jokes that are almost painfully burned into my memory. (laughs)
How did you experience the last day of shooting, was there a farewell party?
Schechinger: Oh, it was difficult. Heavy and beautiful and sad – a complete emotional chaos. Everything seemed so unreal. The last time in costume. Coming on set for the last time. Say the last lines of the script. Hand in the film service weapon and ID. That was not nice. I was given a loving farewell after the shooting ended and, yes, a few tears of goodbye also flowed. Everyone was there, there was food and drink. In the end I am happy how everything went because it was all very important and precious to me.
Will you keep in touch with some of your colleagues?
Schechinger: I will one hundred percent. I will keep my visits to Katharina Böhm and Jürgen Tonkel and am already planning the next one. If the situation allows, I was already on set to say hello. I’ve made close friends doing this job and I’d like to see them whenever possible.
How is it going for you now?
Schechinger: I have beautiful projects ahead of me that I am looking forward to and I am very excited to see what the future will bring and where my path will lead me.