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First break in 16 years GZSZ break with a hairy change! Iris Mareike Steen says goodbye to the neighborhood for a short time
She has never done THAT before!
Iris Mareike Steen is taking a break from GZSZ – longer than ever before. “I still can’t really understand it,” she says of the two-month break. She hasn't been away for that long in almost 16 years: “GZSZ is so much a part of my life that it feels very strange.” But before this can start, the actress stopped by the GZSZ styling again and underwent a small type change. You can see what this looks like in the video.
Iris will be back at GZSZ from the beginning of July
Wait for us during the break from filming iris a new project: “A big and beautiful project” that combines acting and music. At the same time, she is also on stage musically – including with Unheil. “I’m happy that I can continue to live out both passions and I’m really very grateful.”
Something new also awaits her role, Lilly. After a bulimia relapse and subsequent therapy, she turns her back on the neighborhood for a short time, “strengthened and with lots of new insights.” And then she even comes back with a new hairstyle because “Lilly wants to show the inner change to the outside world.” Blonde instead of dark – “everything becomes a little lighter”. Also in Lilly's life.
Fresh style: Iris Mareike Steen was restyled in the GZSZ mask on May 6th.
RTL
Steen is certain that the actress and singer will miss Berlin's GZSZ neighborhood: “As soon as I see impressions from the set, it will hurt me a little.” Nevertheless, she looks ahead optimistically: “The two months will definitely be a little adventure for me.” From the beginning of July we're going back to GZSZ – with lots of formative experiences and new stories for her leading role.
Iris Mareike Steen in a detailed interview
On April 30th you had your last day of filming before the two-month break – how does it feel today to be away from everyday GZSZ life for a few weeks?
“Somehow I can't really understand it yet. GZSZ is so much a part of my life that it feels very strange to be completely out for two months. But I'm looking forward to the experiences I'll be able to gain in the meantime and I'm sure that I'll bring them with me to the GZSZ set when I'm back.”
Your GZSZ break officially begins now: What exactly is coming up for you in the coming weeks and have you ever been away from GZSZ for so long?
“I've never been away for so long. Not in almost 16 years! I have a big and wonderful project coming up, which I hope my experiences at GZSZ will help me with. Unfortunately, I can't reveal much more yet, but it definitely combines my passions for acting and music. I also have a few performances with my music, which I'm really looking forward to. It's great that it's so much a part of my life now.”
How much have you realized that you won't be walking through the GZSZ neighborhood on a regular basis anymore?
“Not at all. I'll probably just stop by every now and then when time permits and walk around the GZSZ neighborhood in my free time (laughs).”
During this time you will also be in front of the camera for another production – what particularly excites you about it?
“I think it's wonderful to be able to gain new experiences. The role of Lilly is so familiar to me, and now being able to slip into a different role is somehow very refreshing and certainly presents great new challenges.”
At the same time, you are musically active and appear on stage with Unheil, among others – how much does this mix of acting and music change your everyday life during the break?
“Of course, I now have a lot more focus on individual things. That will definitely be good for me at some point. I'm happy that I can continue to live out both passions and I'm really very grateful.”
What do you think: When will you really miss GZSZ for the first time these weeks?
“I think it will happen very quickly. As soon as I see any impressions of colleagues on set on Instagram, it will hurt me a little not to be part of it. But it's not a long period of time and I'll definitely meet one or two of them privately too.”
What will you probably associate the break from filming with most – relaxation, work or completely new impressions?
“Definitely the latter. For me, the two months will definitely be a little adventure and that's something very nice.”
You're now a few weeks away from the role of Lilly – does that change your view of the character?
“Definitely a little. I won't consciously force it, I'll just let it happen and I'm excited to see what it does to me and to Lilly.”
What thoughts do you have if you leave Lilly “in the neighborhood” for this time? Is she cured of bulimia after therapy and emerges stronger from the crisis?
“You can never say that she is completely ‘healed’, but she will definitely come back strengthened and with many new insights.”
Yesterday you had your makeover at GZSZ – how much will that affect Lilly's character later?
“It just shows that Lilly wants to show the inner change to the outside world. Now summer is coming and everything is getting a little lighter and so is her hair color (laughs).”
Fresh style: Iris Mareike Steen presents her new look in the GZSZ mask on May 6th.
RTL
How did you experience the moment of preparing yourself visually for your return?
“I have to get to know myself again with the blonde hair. But it's good that I now have two months to do it (laughs).”
How can you imagine such a process for a new hairstyle for a Daily?
“Our head of make-up, Marlen Pötschulat, had the idea of changing me a bit again, and I'm always very open to that. First there are discussions and we see whether it's a good fit for everyone. Then an appointment is made and then Marlen puts a lot of work, hard work and creativity into and on my head (laughs).”
Was the makeover a big step for you or a natural part of Lilly's evolution?
“I've had so many different hair colors since I've been at GZSZ, and I always find it exciting to see myself in a new way, and that's why I was basically totally open to it. Nevertheless, you always have to get used to it, of course. But it usually happens quicker than you think at the beginning.”
How much excitement is there for you in the fact that the audience will see Lilly again after your break?
“With every hair color and every haircut, there are of course people who like it or don't like it. You have to be able to deal with that. I'm usually quite good at that. But it also depends on the day. If I'm not particularly capable of criticism, I try not to read comments.”
What can you reveal: How does your character leave the neighborhood and in what direction does Lilly develop in terms of content after her return?
“An opportunity arises for Lilly that she wants to pursue. I don't yet know exactly what this experience will do to her and how she will come back. But I'm optimistic!”
Looking ahead now: What should the audience first think when Lilly shows up in the neighborhood again?
“Of course I hope that most of them are happy and maybe they missed Lilly a little bit. I'm definitely looking forward to being able to play her again. And to my colleagues. And to the whole team. It feels so good to be able to say that.”
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How will GZSZ continue? RTL shows this every Monday to Friday from 7:40 p.m. on “Good Times, Bad Times”. There are already new GZSZ episodes on RTL+ seven days before TV broadcast.
