The decision was already made in 2021: "Bergretter" star Ferdinand Seebacher talks about the end of the series

In the second episode of the new "Bergretter" season, Ferdinand Seebacher left the ZDF home series.

However, he made the decision to quit two years ago.

Ramsau – Right at the beginning of the 14th "Bergretter" season, which has taken over the program slot from "Der Bergdoktor" on ZDF, viewers have to say goodbye to two familiar faces.

Both Jessika Pollath (Maxi Warwel, 40) and her boyfriend Simon Plattner (Ferdinand Seebacher, 33) leave Ramsau.

A difficult decision, but one that Ferdinand had made for a long time.

"Very emotional": "Bergretter" star Ferdinand Seebacher is leaving the ZDF series after four years

There are sad scenes that take place right at the beginning of the new "Bergretter" season.

During a daring rescue operation, Jessika Pollath falls down a cliff and dies at the end of the premiere episode.

If saying goodbye is bad enough, Simon Plattner also says goodbye in the next episode "Altes Eisen".

The death of his girlfriend weighs heavily on him and in an emotional scene he separates from the mountain rescuers around Markus Kofler (Sebastian Ströbel, 46).

Family drama, tears and farewells: The 16th "Bergdoktor" season in pictures

Family drama, tears and farewells: The 16th "Bergdoktor" season in pictures

In an interview with

Ferdinand Seebacher talks about his departure from the idyllic village of Ramsau after four years.

"I knew these were my last days of shooting and they were all very emotional," remembers the native of Styria.

"It was a farewell and on the day of shooting I knew that this was my last meeting with (...) Sebastian Ströbel and that was also sad.

Accordingly, it was quite easy for me to create these emotions for the scene.”

Curious: “Bergretter” darling has the same name as the mountain doctor

In 38 episodes, Andreas Marthaler (Martin Gruber, 52) led the “Bergretter” team until he fell to his death under dramatic circumstances in episode 6 of the sixth season (“Cut off”).

Especially attentive ZDF viewers should have noticed: The former "Bergretter" main actor has a prominent namesake.

The mountain doctor embodied by Hans Sigl (53) in the series of the same name is also called Martin Gruber.

"Like a separation": Ferdinand Seebacher decided to leave "Bergretter" two years ago

The double farewell to Jessika Pollath and Simon Plattner comes as a great shock to the television audience, but the brave mountain rescuer has been able to prepare for it for a long time.

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Since 2019, Ferdinand Seebacher has been seen as Simon Plattner on "Die Bergretter".

In the second episode of the new season, however, his time in the ZDF home series ended.

© IMAGO/Future Image;

ZDF/Barbara Bauriedl (photomontage)

After Maxi Warwel had already left the door open for her character, Ferdinand Seebacher also explains: “Let's see what happens to Simon and where his journey leads.

Never say never.” In the new “Bergretter” episodes (Thursdays at 8:15 p.m. on ZDF), fans have to do without the two for the time being.

Meanwhile, Ines Lutz also revealed why she once left "Der Bergdoktor" as Anne.

List of rubrics: © IMAGO/Future Image;

ZDF/Barbara Bauriedl (photomontage)