The actors in *Bergdoktor* and their roles
Since 2008, the hit series “Der Bergdoktor” has been captivating an audience of millions with stories centred on Dr Martin Gruber, his family and the people of the Wilder Kaiser region. As well as the breathtaking landscape shots of the Wilder Kaiser, it is above all the actors and actresses who breathe life into the characters and make the series so special.
Hans Sigl plays Dr Martin Gruber
Hans Sigl was born in Rottenmann, Austria, in 1969. As well as his work in
film and television, he is at home on stage as a presenter and cabaret artist, and is also known off-camera for his social activism. Furthermore, the Styrian is a passionate drummer and very sporty. Sigl has already won the Austrian film and television award ‘Romy’ four times as the most popular series actor and the German ‘Goldene Henne’ audience and media award for acting twice.
It is also thanks to his versatility and authenticity that he has landed his signature role as Dr Martin Gruber, whom he has portrayed since 2008: as a compassionate doctor, he tackles the world’s ailments, both major and minor. Both professionally
and in his private life.
Heiko Ruprecht plays Hans Gruber
Heiko Ruprecht was born in Friedrichshafen in 1972. He studied at the Mozarteum in Salzburg and began his career at the Stadttheater in Ulm. He soon went on to perform at the Münchner Kammerspiele, the Bayerisches Staatsschauspiel and the Schauspielhaus Bochum. Heiko still appears regularly on the theatre stage. He made his first television appearance in 1997 in the crime series “Derrick”. He later appeared in “Forsthaus Falkenau” and “Rosenheim-Cops”. Since 2008, he has been part of the main cast of the series “Der Bergdoktor”. He also appears in numerous films. In the series, he plays Hans Gruber, the brother of Dr Martin Gruber. And even though the two don’t always see eye to eye, they certainly share custody of their daughter Lilli. After all, family is the most important thing. Hans also runs the “Gruberhof” together with his mum, Lisbeth.
Ronja Forcher plays Lilli Gruber
Ronja Forcher was born in Innsbruck in 1996 and is an Austrian actress and musician who has felt at home on stage since childhood. From 2014 to 2015, she attended the 1st filmacademy in Vienna and was part of the ensemble at the Tyrolean State Theatre for two years until 2019. Since 2020, she has also been recording her own German-language music. Her debut single was released in 2021. The dynamic Tyrolean is also actively involved in social causes and is, amongst other things, an ambassador for the charity ‘RollOn Austria’. She first took on the role of Lilli Gruber, the on-screen daughter of Martin and Hans, in 2008 at the age of twelve. Since then, the once-shy teenager has blossomed into a self-assured young woman who wins everyone’s hearts with her natural and charming manner – including those of the audience.
Monika Baumgartner plays Lisbeth Gruber
The actress and theatre director was born in Munich in 1951. Following her three-year training at the Otto Falckenberg School, her first engagement took her to the National Theatre in Mannheim, where she appeared in productions including *The Threepenny Opera* and *A Midsummer Night’s Dream*. Since the late 1970s, Baumgartner has also become an integral part of the film and television world. She also teaches at the Bavarian Theatre Academy and still appears regularly on German theatre stages today. She first took on the role of Lisbeth Gruber in 2008 and has been a regular feature of the series ever since. As the mother of Martin and Hans and grandmother of Lilli, she is not only the head of the family but also ensures the Gruber family stays united. A task that is not always quite so easy.
Mark Keller plays Dr Alexander Kahnweiler
Born in Baden-Württemberg in 1965, he first trained as a car mechanic before studying at the Freiburg Drama School. In the late 1980s, he was discovered as a Dean Martin impersonator on the “Rudi Carrell Show”. He subsequently played a leading role in the series “Sterne des Südens”, but his big breakthrough came in 1996 when he became a favourite with audiences for his role as Inspector André Fux in the television series “Alarm für Cobra 11”. As well as his numerous appearances as an actor, Mark Keller also performs on stage as a singer. In 2022, he took part in the sixth series of ‘The Masked Singer’ and came second. As Dr Alexander Kahnweiler, he has been Martin’s “only friend” since 2008 and, as a senior consultant at Hall Hospital, provides valuable support in the medical care of patients. Not always to everyone’s delight.
Natalie O’Hara plays Susanne Dreiseitl
Born in Göttingen in 1976, the actress, who has American roots, began taking ballet, singing and piano lessons as a toddler and later studied at the Stage School of Music, Dance & Drama in Hamburg. As well as her film and television roles, Natalie O’Hara also works as a stage actress. For the one-woman show she produced, ‘Alice – Spiel um dein Leben’ (Alice – A Game for Your Life), in which she plays 20 roles and performs on the piano, she was nominated in 2023 for the renowned German theatre award ‘Der Faust’. She has been playing the role of Susanne Dreiseitl since 2008, where, as the landlady of the “Gasthof Wilder Kaiser”, she portrays not only a charming hostess but also a loyal companion to the Grubers. She shares a deep friendship with Martin, and with Hans she shares, amongst other things, their daughter Sophia.