Michaela May: Age-related limitations often problematic for actors

people - Michaela May: Age-related limitations often problematic for actors

Michaela May (72) doesn't harbor illusions about the financial risks of her profession. The actress made this statement during a PR interview for the ARD series "Watzmann ermittelt" while filming in Piding near Salzburg. "I have to just look at our acting circles, that even at that age – as we see with Mr. Hoenig – that the money doesn't last, because there's no pension in any way," said May. "If one doesn't think about it early enough – we earn quite a bit during peak times – then it looks bad in the end."

The three essential things

As author Elke Heidenreich describes in her bestseller "Altern," May, a Munich native, believes: "One needs a certain foundation to be able to sleep peacefully. But no more than that. One can't take golden spoons with you. So the best thing is a place of your own, for which you don't have to pay rent, good friends, and health. These three things are important. One really shouldn't skimp on that money. It's important in old age to be able to secure a peaceful retirement."

In the prime-time series "Watzmann ermittelt," Michaela May plays the role of Senior Rita Fischer, who is caught stealing 50 euros from a fellow resident by Commissar Jerry Paulsen (Peter Marton).

Stealing for the nursing home

The comedic role appealed to May, as her character also touches on social relevance: "I play a woman who likes to put on airs and graces and go along with things. Not much, but she's no longer able to pay for this nursing home, and this episode of 'Watzmann ermittelt' hits a raw nerve: This is how it goes for many seniors when life gets more expensive, but the pension doesn't grow any faster. They have to resort to other means." Her character also pays it back. "But she doesn't come clean about it."

"Watzmann ermittelt" is one of the ratings hits on ARD's prime-time schedule. The previous season reached an average of around three million viewers and a market share of 13.6%. The BR production in 2023 was the second most successful prime-time series in the ARD. The reruns currently air on Wednesdays at 6:50 pm on Das Erste.

1. Michaela May, drawing from her experiences as an actress, highlighted the financial risks in her profession during a PR interview for the ARD series "Watzmann ermittelt."
2. In her bestseller "Altern," author Elke Heidenreich emphasizes the importance of having a place of one's own, good friends, and health for peace of mind, suggesting that wealth beyond necessities is not crucial.
3. Every Heidenreich's beliefs resonated with Michaela May, who believes in having a foundation for peace but not relying on wealth, as illustrated in her character Senior Rita Fischer in the series "Watzmann ermittelt."
4. People in Bavaria and across Germany have been tuning in to watch "Watzmann ermittelt," with the previous season reaching over three million viewers, demonstrating the series' impact on German television and media.
5. Despite the financial struggles and powerlessness faced by many seniors as their expenses increase and their pensions do not keep pace, Michaela May's character in "Watzmann ermittelt" resorts to stealing as a last resort to maintain her quality of life in the nursing home.
6. With its successful run on ARD, "Watzmann ermittelt" continues to captivate audiences in Germany, airing reruns on Das Erste on Wednesdays at 6:50 pm.

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