Susan Sideropoulos: “GZSZ” time has “shaped her life”

The sequel to the “Leon” spin-off will be shown on RTL on January 11 from 8:15 p.m. (also available via RTL+). The feature film of the “Good times, bad times” offshoot “Leon – fight for your love” with Daniel Fehlow (47) and Susan Sideropoulos (42) in the leading roles promises dramatic turns in the love of Leon and Sarah. “The viewers can look forward to another really exciting story,” says Susan Sideropoulos in an interview with spot on news. “New faces, dreamy island pictures and of course a lot of love.”

When Leon and Sarah are still happily planning their wedding on Rügen, a nasty surprise is just around the corner: Sarah’s brother Jan, who disappeared 30 years ago, returns to Engelshoop and causes a stir. For Sideropoulos, who returned to the “GZSZ” universe not in her then role Verena Koch, but as Sarah Elsässer, she says she has now “absolutely” gotten used to the new role. “I had a lot of time in season one, so I’m all the more pleased that it’s going on now.”

Sarah describes her as a very down to earth woman. “An island girl who can tackle things, but also got around a lot. Through her various stays abroad, she has had many different experiences, is open and adventurous. A buddy type without airs and graces. I can identify with many of her characteristics, I’m also very pragmatic laid out, likes it uncomplicated and relaxed.” She has always gotten along well with shooting partner Daniel Fehlow. “I’m a big fan of his humor, then and now.” What she appreciates most is that despite all the fun, he is absolutely professional. “He can be joking in a minute and switch to full focus in seconds.” In the first scenes of “Leon – Fight for your love” Sideropoulos can be seen in a wedding dress. She has often worn wedding dresses on various film shoots and “love it again and again. Weddings are wonderful.”

“Magical time” at “GZSZ”

With Wolfgang Bahro (62), Ulrike Frank (53) and Felix von Jascheroff (40), real “GZSZ” veterans will also be seen in “Leon – fight for your love”. “It gave the whole film a nice finish,” explains Sideropoulos. “It’s now a ‘GZSZ’ spin-off and the fans get the full program. (laughs)” Speaking of the full program: the actress is also returning to the regular series. From episode 7,686 (January 18, 2023, 7:40 p.m. on RTL) she can be seen on RTL Daily alongside Daniel Fehlow and in the Kolle-Kiez. From 2001 to 2011 she played in the series Verena Koch. “I associate a magical time with ‘GZSZ’, a time that shaped my life,” Sideropoulos looks back in an interview. She also kept in touch with some current and former actors. “Especially close with Isabel Horn and Sila Sahin. But also with Nina Bott and Ulrike Frank.”

Plans for 2023

The actress looks back on an exciting 2022. “I wrote a second book, which will come out in spring 2023. In the summer we recorded a big show that will also be shown next year. Then ‘Leon’. The year was and is filled with highlights.” She is now looking forward to the broadcast of the spin-off and her new book, “I’ll let the rest come to me.” In any case, there is still a private highlight: “My older son will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah (Jewish confirmation), that’s a big thing that we’re really looking forward to. And of course there will be a big celebration.”

And what does the actress think of promotions like Veganuary or Dry January that people are following earlier this year? “Basically nice ideas. But I’m not really a fan of New Year’s resolutions, we can start at any time.” Sideropoulos tries to stay true to her positive motto. “My first book is called ‘Rosarotes Glück – Put on the rose-colored glasses’. Which means something like focusing on possibilities. In life we ​​can’t always decide what happens, but we can decide how we do it deal with it. Optimism isn’t always about being in a good mood, it’s about keeping the confidence that everything is flowing, bad times pass, just like the good ones.”