From fan to extra: Thomas Fröhler is living his dream at Dahoam!

From fan to extra: Thomas Fröhler is living his dream at Dahoam!

For Thomas Fröhler, the world of “Dahoam is Dahoam” has been an integral part of his life for more than 15 years. When the first episode was broadcast on Bavarian Television on October 8, 2007, Fröhler was just seven years old. Back then, he preferred watching the series every evening. Today his preference has changed: the media library has found its way into his everyday life, and he now watches the latest episodes once a week in a row. It's hardly surprising that he wanted to immerse himself in the exciting world of acting as an extra.

His path to the screen was a long one: Fröhler dreamed of being in front of the camera himself as a child. During the corona pandemic, he applied as an extra and celebrated his first day of filming on October 20, 2022. He was very nervous, but his first appearance at the bar at the Brunnerwirt was without any text – the perfect introduction for a beginner. In the last three years he has already made six appearances in the fictional Bavarian village of Lansing in the Munich area, where the series is filmed and the action takes place.

A life for the fire department and acting

What Fröhler is particularly fond of is a scene in which he appears as a member of the fire department. Because in real life he is also an active member of the fire department in Iggensbach and Schwanenkirchen. This enabled him to give the other actors valuable insights into fire service topics. “For me, acting is a hobby that I pursue alongside my job in an engineering and planning office,” he explains. His performances are viewed critically by friends and family, but most of the feedback in his WhatsApp group is consistently positive and that makes him proud.

Filming is a process that requires a lot of patience. “It starts with the wardrobe and mask, and then it’s time to wait for your own turn,” is how he describes the process. Even if he is happy about the reimbursement for his expenses, there isn't much left after deducting the petrol costs. When asked if he would accept other requests as an extra, he said that he had to decline due to lack of time. But his heart still beats for acting and he has the desire to take part in a new film of “Boandlkramer”.

A look behind the scenes at “Dahoam is Dahoam”

“Dahoam is Dahoam” has now established itself as a cult series and appeals to many viewers with a mix of heart, humor and Bavarian home flair. The characters who work in the “Brunnerwirt” inn are a significant part of this success. The Brunner family, including the characters Theresa and Joseph Brunner, are portrayed by well-known actors who tell numerous stories from rural life with a lot of local color - often in a weakened form of the Bavarian dialect in order to reach a broader audience.

The series depicts tensions and conflicts between the Brunners and the Kirchleitners, who run the local brewery. These feudal disputes have their roots many years ago. But who exactly are the main characters? Loud Picture Sophie Reiml, Anita Eichhorn, Heidrun Gärtner and Holger M. Wilhelm are part of the cast. Together they bring the stories from the fictional village of Lansing, which lies in the idyllic surroundings of Munich, to viewers' screens.

Fröhler has found his place in this colorful world and is happy about every appearance. Looking back, he can only win: acting, fire service and family support are the ingredients for his personal success story, which is hopefully far from over.