Like ATWT’s Nuke? Meet VL’s Ollian!
AS THE WORLD TURNS’ Luke and Noah aren’t the only young gay men on the soap scene — the international soap scene, at least. German soap VERBOTENE LIEBE (FORBIDDEN LOVE) has drummed up quite the Internet following worldwide — and WORLD-wide, with many Nuke fans. Here, its charming and hilarious stars, Thore Schölermann (Christian) and Jo Weil (Oliver), talk about the “Ollian” phenomenon.
Soap Opera Weekly: Were you surprised to learn how popular Oliver and Christian are overseas?
Thore Schölermann: Oh, yes, I was very surprised! I didn’t expect that.
Jo Weil: Absolutely! When we became aware of all the people all around the world following the development of our characters with so much passion, we became very glad and proud. We never even thought about that when we started with this love storyline about a year ago. But certainly it is a great compliment and shows us that it was worth the commitment and work that we’ve invested in the story. Right from the start, it was very important for us to portray a love story between two persons; we never wanted to explicitly stress that it is a love story between two men. And due to the great and overwhelming feedback that we get from five continents, by now we think that we haven’t done a bad job. It’s so amazing, especially when you consider that our TV series comes from Germany, which is a comparatively small country.
Weekly: How did you first learn people outside of Germany were watching you?
Schölermann: It started very slowly. The first letters came from Switzerland, then from England and suddenly from Canada and the USA! One day Jo showed me a video of us on YouTube, with subtitles in English and 100,000 views, and I thought, “Awesome! Unbelievable!”
Weil: The owner of an American blog got in touch with me because he wanted to interview me for my fans from abroad. It was quite [unexpected] and I started to do some research on the Internet. Wow, I was so surprised! At that moment, there were lots of videos about Thore and me on YouTube, with subtitles in all different languages. A short time after that we got our first interview-request from abroad. First, we thought it to be a one-time request and were very proud of it. But by and by there were more and more requests. We’re so glad that so many fans from all around the world support us in this amazing way.
Weekly: How is the show and your story received in Germany? Do you get stopped on the street by fans?
Schölermann: Fans stop me. It was funny when someone from America stopped me at the IFA [Internationale Funkausstellung; the International Exhibition for TV and Radio]. I couldn’t believe it and asked him first of all why and how he watches VL, especially in America, where they have the greatest TV series! And he answered that VL simply touches his heart. That was very nice to hear, but nevertheless, it was unbelievable!
Weil: It happens sometimes that fans recognize us and want to take a picture of us or ask for an autograph. After all, VERBOTENE LIEBE is a very popular soap opera that has been successfully broadcast now for many years. When I was in school, I watched it myself with great enthusiasm! I think Thore’s and my popularity has grown because of our actual storyline. Most of the feedback in Germany is very positive. One thing that surprises us is that, because of the storyline, we get more mail from female fans. I didn’t actually expect that.
Weekly: What do you think is the biggest difference between American TV and German shows?
Weil: Many American TV shows work with much bigger budgets than our German productions. Accordingly, they are able to get bigger things going, e.g. shooting LOST on a faraway island. Nevertheless, I don’t think that our domestic TV shows have to hide from their “big sisters” from the USA, since we’ve got some first-class and expensive productions in Germany, too. In both countries, there are real pearls and also real trash.
Schölermann: Humor and action! I always miss humor in German series. In German shows everything is always so dramatic and severe. American dialogue is simply livelier; they come straight to the point. Or the actors don’t speak at all but let pictures speak. Awesome! I want to go to America!
Weekly: What are your favorite U.S. shows?
Weil: When I was young, I loved BEVERLY HILLS, 90210, and it’s awesome that this brilliant TV show may experience a revival now. Unfortunately, the new episodes haven’t made it to Germany yet. Moreover, I’m a big fan of LOST, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, KYLE XY, and QUEER AS FOLK. Also, GROSSE POINT and TWIN PEAKS [were of] significant value in my young days. And, of course, I watch an episode of BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL from time to time.
Schölermann: LOST is the greatest TV series of all! I haven’t watched much TV before, no matter if it was German or American, and now I watch LOST — but only in English, because in German the genial actors come across poorly. And I watch 24. I’ve just finished watching the first season. Wow!
Weekly: Were either of you worried about taking the role of a gay character? Here in the U.S., it’s still rare to see homosexual characters on TV. Is it more common and accepted in Europe?
Weil: When I got an offer for a leading part on VL in 2000, the producers told me that the character would be bisexual. I asked to sleep on it, and after that I talked to my agent. She wasn’t sure if I should accept the offer. So I simply acted on instinct then — and it was totally okay. As an actor, it is my ambition to play as many different roles as possible. And thus, the portrayal of Olli always was and still is an exciting challenge for me. I never worried about it. And to play that role didn’t do harm to me in Germany. When I left VL after two years, I was offered a leading part in an action prime-time TV show right afterward. The character I played was the complete opposite to Olli and it didn’t bother anyone that I played a bisexual character before.
Schölermann: Certainly, I was and still am worried, sometimes. But that has nothing to do with me having a problem portraying a gay character. With such a storyline you set yourself apart as an actor in a TV series and you attract attention. The problem might be that people don’t see me as the actor Thore Schölermann anymore, but as the gay person, Christian Mann, from VL. But I think that’s a basic problem in a soap opera.
Weekly: What has been your favorite storyline since joining VL?
Weil: I liked the storyline when Olli had a one-night stand with his friend Jule. And especially I liked the time when my character was delinquent. So finally I was allowed to be the “bad boy” — a perfect chance for an actor.
Schölermann: The storyline with Olli and the boxing, for sure! I’ve never had so much to play and enjoyed work so much at the same time. Surely, it hasn’t always been easy — for example, to kiss a man — but that was exactly the challenge and I learned many things. For example, I feel very sorry now for women who have to kiss a man with a three-day beard. Oh, wait, I’ve got one myself, too. Well… (laughs).
Weekly: What are your favorite things about working with each other? Do you have a lot of fun together filming and rehearsing?
Weil: Thore and I have got the same kind of humor. We laugh at the same jokes and could have fun the whole day long. That’s the reason why working together is never boring; and we also became good friends in private life. Concerning our job, we also share the same professional and conscientious attitude. I couldn’t have wished for a better partner for this storyline, and I think that special chemistry between us is carried over to the viewers.
Schölermann: Oh, yes, it’s never boring to work with Jo. I think I can say that Jo is at least as crazy as I am. For his age, he’s really funny… (laughs). Jo sometimes gets a little bit mad at me when I forget a sentence — which happens very seldom. What a nerd! (laughs)!
Weekly: Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans around the world?
Weil: I think a simple thank you isn’t enough to express how much that cordial worldwide support means to me. I’m perfectly happy and I hope that my fans will go on to take much pleasure in my work. You are the best and I’m very proud that you like me. If you feel like it, visit my blog on my Web site, www.myspace.com/joweil. You’ll find all the information about me and my life.
Schölermann: Oh, that sounds important. Er, thank you?! Yes, “Thank you” has to be said! So many people write me so many nice things, and I don’t manage to answer them all, be it on Facebook or MySpace. I manage to answer normal letters, but I don’t like to sit on the computer. So I’ve got a bad conscience because I cannot say thank you to everyone. So, vielen dank! Thank you! Merci! Grazie! Gracias!
Conversation
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