Jan Hartmann: His wife is his “heroine of everyday life”

Jan Hartmann (44) takes on the new role of Dr. Mark Engelhardt in the second season of the Sat.1 evening series “Die Spreewaldklinik” (from June 30, 2025 and since June 27th on Joyn). In an interview with the news agency Spot on News, the actor looks back at his series of serial at “GZSZ” and tells how the “Spreewald clinic” turning work influences his everyday life and why his wife is his “heroine”. He also tells why golf is the perfect balance for him.

Jan Hartmann: Maybe I have something particularly trustworthy in myself (laughs). I never had ambitions to become a doctor myself, but find that high -resistant spectable what people do in the job. In terms of working hours and responsibility, this is an insane profession. I find it exciting that I can always look a little. Whether it is an operation or I learn a few technical terms by heart and do it as if I could – it seems to work quite well (laughs).

Hartmann: The name Engelhardt is already a program. It is an angel, but can also be hard. A likeable cross racket, I would say who puts everything on the doctor. When it comes to the patients, he does everything to save them. In private, he is a guy with a large flap who likes to test borders and does not adhere to hierarchies, but is actually a fine, very straight person. I like that on him, he is totally authentic and straight ahead. He often angry, but he just says what he thinks and the others have to cope with it.

Hartmann: In fact, it’s a test for me whether I like a series again. In recent years I have mainly sailed over the sea and have had very relaxed days of shooting in the most beautiful places. Of course I was a bit spoiled. I notice that too. In the form like now I have definitely not done it for ten years.

It is very demanding, I am also one of only three colleagues who come by car every week. So I drive to Berlin to turn and am with my family in Regensburg at the weekend. I had underestimated that a little when I’m honest. In the meantime I have developed a mode that I watch my texts myself and then I hear them driving and talking. So the time is well used.

Hartmann: I always have a day when I have a few hours of breath, where I can work again or take care of the apartment in which I stayed in Berlin. But yes, you have to make sure that your life does not fall down at the back.

When I arrive at home, I know I have to learn the text from next week again, but as soon as the door opens, the children are there. Then I want to have a nice weekend with them. You are a bit torn, but so far it works well. I have been at home a lot in recent years because it was important to us. But I notice that I like to work and want to work a lot. In any case, I would be happy about a third season.

Hartmann: It was really a luxury situation for which I am grateful to this day. I always have it with every film for seven years. That was three months at a time. No matter where abroad, that was really great. Then the school came, now the big one in third grade and logistics is different. The school system, especially in Bavaria, is quite strict. On the one hand, it is correct and important, the children need structure. On the other hand, I already notice that we all lack it.

The other day I drove and my wife called me that the little one cried for an hour after I was gone. It is nice that our bond through all the experiences is so tight, but the farewell is also more difficult. We face a lot and I drive home every week. This is totally important for me. I still turn until mid -October, so the children will also come on vacation. Then we will explore the Spreewald in the canoe.

Hartmann: My wife is my heroine of everyday life. I am currently out of what everyday things like to bring to kindergarten, prepare some festivals and do homework. At the weekend I am there as best I can, learn next to the text. We go on excursions or I work in the garden. But she does a lot alone, that’s not without.

Hartmann: Everyone received me very well. I was in contact with colleague Daniel Buder, whom I know through “heart fibrillation”. In January we were playing on Mallorca Golf and then he added me directly to the WhatsApp group from all “Spreewald Clinic” colleagues. Of course, you are still checked by everyone on the first day of shooting, but that was always very benevolent and is normal. When a new one comes, you first sniff yourself.

Hartmann: “GZSZ” was my first job in the industry. It was a hard start because the workload was extremely high. Everything is clocked through, really meticulously. I don’t have an issue today if things have to go quickly if something is changed to the point. I am very adaptable and can react quickly. At the “Spreewald Clinic” we have a team in Brandenburg and one in Berlin, there are long travel times and sometimes traffic jams and plans change. So I was prepared for that.

Hartmann: I feel very well received during production. The colleagues, the team and the format are great. I like the look and that you hear real people speak. It is less smoneable and you don’t just have love texts, the hospital theme makes it very complex.

Hartmann: During the time at “Red Rosen”, 2006 to 2008, I started playing Golf very excessively. The children got a little less and now that when I am alone here, I like to go to the square for two hours after shooting. Daniel is often there. That is why I also drive by car so that I always have my rackets with me. I just love this sport. My son is already interested in it.

Hartmann: Golfing is great for driving down. I think of nothing else. I can do it alone when nobody is available. They are always the most beautiful environments and every place is different. I find it technically and mentally highly exhausting and difficult. It teaches me humility and I have to be full at the moment. Keeping the focus is a good exercise for acting. Especially when you are tactical and a bit sporty, it is incredibly versatile and exciting.