The new “old” Thomas Heinze
“Jan-Gregor Kremp gave me tips”
“The Old One”: Thomas Heinze takes over as chief inspector Caspar Bergmann from Jan-Gregor Kremp, who embodied the title role for more than ten years.
© ZDF / Erika Hauri
Thomas Heinze joins “The Old Man” as Commissioner Caspar Bergmann. In an interview, the actor reveals what the season handover was like.
The Berlin actor Thomas Heinze (58) joins the successful ZDF format “Der Alte”. He is the new leading actor in the crime series that has been flickering across screens for almost 46 years – the first episode was actually broadcast on Easter Monday 1977. In the episode “Abstiegsangst” (March 24, 8:15 p.m.), the charismatic chief inspector Caspar Bergmann celebrates his debut in Munich and completely turns one colleague’s head in the process. In an interview with spot on news, Thomas Heinze reveals more about his role in the cult format and the tips that he was happy to accept from his predecessor Jan-Gregor Kremp (60), who played detective chief Richard Voss from 2012 to 2023.
The series has been running since 1977. What does it mean to you to take on such a cult role?
Thomas Heinze: A lot. I’ve actually been a spectator from the very beginning and I’m with actor Siegfried Lowitz [1914-1999, Red.], who played the role from 1977 to 1986, came to the “old man”. When he left, I was just starting my career out of drama school and watched relatively little television.
How long have you been considering embarking on a permanent series role?
Heinze: I didn’t have to think long about it. On the contrary, I think that’s actually quite appropriate. I’m no longer the very youngest and I find the continuity that comes with such a role very pleasant. In this respect, I quickly thought: That makes sense, I’ll gladly take over that…
… especially since her “age”, Chief Inspector Caspar Bergmann, is quite charismatic, slightly arrogant and quite attractive – which is what detective inspector Annabell “Anna” Lorenz (Stephanie Stumph, 38) finds attractive in the opening film. How would you describe him?
Heinze: That’s nice, it makes me blush (laughs). Well, I would say he might come across as arrogant, because at first he appears very reserved in a Hanseatic way. He is still in the process of coming to terms with the death of his wife and is correspondingly withdrawn. He doesn’t participate 100 percent in life outside of his work. But he is very fixated on his daughter and granddaughter. Those are the only two people he really lets close to him. And he does his job with great passion.
What role does humor play in the new “Der Alte” era?
Heinze: It’s still a crime series, but the humor doesn’t really come off badly. Especially within the team, a certain ease in dealing with each other definitely plays a role.
In particular, the role of Stephanie Stumph has also changed. In the new episodes, she seems almost a bit clumsy and very lovable.
Heinze: That’s right, there’s now more room for Stephanie’s role. And that means more space for the relationship between our two roles. There is generally a bit more space to also tell interpersonal things.
Did Jan-Gregor Kremp, who played detective chief Richard Voss in “Der Alte” from 2012 to 2023, give you anything else?
Heinze: Jan-Gregor and I have known each other for a long time and we really like each other. He helped me a lot in the beginning and gave me a lot of great tips on how to use the format. I accepted that very gratefully.
How was your first day on set?
Heinze: Before we started filming, I gave a very short speech and said that I was following in big footsteps not only as an actor, but also as a person. Jan-Gregor had previously sent me an SMS wishing me all the best and saying hello to the team. I also liked to quote his “Everything very fine people” from it – and can only confirm it in the meantime.
What do you do as a balance to acting, you are a hobby racer?
Heinze: That’s true, but it’s been a while. I’ve done a few races, mostly as part of the Mini Challenge series of events that ran from 2004-2011. I was also a guest driver at a Red Nose Day charity event. And I drove the classic car rally “Mille Miglia” five times. But it’s more about nostalgia than top speeds. Such cars want to be treated with love and not kicked about.
Smudo (55) from the Fantastischen Vier is also interested in racing. do you know yourself
Heinze: Yes. I actually drove a kart race with Smudo. That was great fun too. But it’s not like I have a kart in the basement that I pull out and blast at every opportunity. Unfortunately I haven’t gotten around to it for a long time.