Few gay couples on television have generated as much feedback, interest, and enthusiasm amongst AfterElton.com's readers as Forbidden Love's (Verbotene Liebe) Olli and Christian. When we posted the first clip featuring the German soap opera couple (frequently referred to as Ollian or Chrolli), thousands of readers watched it and dozens posted comments heaping praise on the show's writing, production values, and, especially, Jo Weil and Thore Schölermann, the actors who play Olli and Christian.
Such is their popularity that even though most of our readers hadn't heard of either man before April of this year, both actors made the AfterElton.com Hot 100 list. Jo Weil recently took time out of his busy schedule to do an email interview with us answering both our questions as well as some submitted by our readers. (Schölermann was also supposed to participate, but for reasons beyond our control was unable to.)
AfterElton.com: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. So just how surprised were you when you found out both of you made our Hot 100 list beating out some pretty well-known names?
Jo Weil: that was awesome! When I saw what names appear alongside ours - amazing! That I would be named in the same breath with Jake Gyllenhaal and Matt Damon, i didn't expect that to come so fast. I can only say I'm incredibly proud.
AE: Any rivalry over Thore’s placing slightly higher?
JW: If there's one person I happily grant to be placed above me, it's Thore. He's deserved it and I'm a little proud of him.
AE: How odd is it knowing that your storyline has found an audience in the U.S. and other English speaking countries?
JW: It's really strange. When fans told me about your site, because you had just published your first article on us, I was thinking, "Cool, I got one mention in America". It's something rather special for a German actor. When the reports became more regular with you and your colleagues, and we received the first emails and letters from abroad, we couldn't believe it. By now, I'm just very proud that we created something on Verbotene Liebe which touches and connects people across borders.
AE: Are the producers of the show aware of your English-speaking fans?
JW: I can't say that for sure. I guess they've noticed that Chrolli/Ollian get international attention. We are doing interviews for foreign media now. But if they know about the extent of it? I don't know. Maybe someone should write them and report on that...
AE: What about the other actors? Anyone jealous of your international fans?
JW: Not that I've noticed. I think most of our colleagues are just happy for us. But when we were doing a photo shooting for a British magazine the other day, there were some envious stares. The same is true for the awesome gifts we receive from our fans abroad.
AE: Does knowing the amazing reaction of the fans change how you approach the work?
JW: Not really. But we realized through the many reactions that what we're doing is important to some people. That some get courage, strength, even hope through it. That strengthened us to take our job very serious and give it our all.
AE: When you were on Medicopter 117, did any of your storylines inspire this kind of reaction?
JW: As far as I know, Medicopter 117 airs in 35 countries around the world. So I received foreign fan mail before Chrolli. [However], the feedback and reactions I'm getting with regards to the Chris/Olli story are new and unique to me. I have never experienced anything like that in the 10 years being a professional actor. And I'm taken aback by it every so often.
