The individual identified as Wolfgang Hepp is departing from The Fallen.
Wolfgang Hepp, the acclaimed actor known for his portrayal of Hermann Faller in the popular SWR Black Forest series "Die Fallers," is stepping down from his role due to health reasons. Hepp, aged 84, has been a cornerstone of the series since 1994, shaping the face of "Die Fallers" for over three decades.
The creators of "Die Fallers" are focusing on digital strategies to accommodate Hepp's departure. Four current episodes of the series are already available in the ARD Mediathek before their TV broadcast. The final episode featuring Hepp, titled "Kochduell," is scheduled to air on April 19, 2026, at 7:15 PM.
Hepp's acting skills in "Die Fallers" have been impressive, whether as a gruff patriarch or a quiet observer. Hermann Faller, the character he played, became his life's work after he joined the series in 1994. Faller is one of the longest-running characters in German television.
SWR Intendant Kai Gniffke has paid tribute to Hepp for his significant contributions to "Die Fallers." Hepp's departure marks a new chapter for the series, with the younger generation now guiding the Fallerhof into the future, both in the fictional world and the series' reality.
Before joining "Die Fallers," Hepp appeared in 12 "Tatort" episodes as Kriminalrat Wolf alongside Ulrike Folkerts. In 1994, when the "Fallers" authors were looking for an actor for the farm heir and family patriarch, they wrote the role specifically for Hepp, who was 53 at the time.
While Hepp's acting career before and beyond "Die Fallers" is not extensively detailed, it is clear that he has a background rooted in southern Germany, and his cultural experiences likely influenced his work. He played the monk in "Nathan the Wise" at the Schwäbisch Hall Festival in 1980 and 1981.
As Hepp retires from "Die Fallers," the series must forge new paths. The final episode of Hepp in the series will be a significant moment for both the fictional world and the series' reality. Fans of "Die Fallers" will eagerly anticipate the conclusion of Hepp's journey as Hermann Faller.
The creators of "Die Fallers" are delving into digital strategies to accommodate Wolfgang Hepp's departure from the series, with four episodes already accessible in the ARD Mediathek prior to their TV broadcast. In the realm of movies-and-tv entertainment, the final episode featuring Hepp, titled "Kochduell," is scheduled to air on April 19, 2026, at 7:15 PM.
