Wolfgang Hepp leaves The Fallers” – an end of an era!

Wolfgang Hepp leaves The Fallers” – an end of an era!

On August 15, 2025 it is sad but true: The popular actor Wolfgang Hepp announced his exit from the cult series “The Fallers”. For health reasons and the desire to retire due to old age, Hepp will film his last episode as Hermann Faller. This will be broadcast on SWR on April 19, 2024 at 7:15 p.m. with the title “Kochduell”. His years of commitment to the series, which started on September 25, 1994, are recognized by many fans and colleagues. SWR director Kai Gniffke praises Hepp's influence and his remarkable 31 years in the role of the rural ex-mayor and head of the family.

The series “The Fallers” is the second oldest weekly TV series in Germany. On average, 1.25 million viewers tune in nationwide, while 40 new episodes are produced every year. Hepp has influenced much more than just “The Fallers” in his career; He also made a lasting impression as Detective Wolf in many episodes of the crime series “Tatort”.

A life's work is coming to an end

Wolfgang Hepp was born on January 28, 1941 in Singen am Hohentwiel and trained as an actor at the Otto Falckenberg Drama School in Munich. With further theater engagements in Ulm, Kassel and Düsseldorf as well as a remarkable appearance as a monastery brother in “Nathan the Wise” at the Schwäbisch Hall Festival from 1980 to 1981, Hepp achieved high recognition. His decision to leave the stage reflects the retreat of many actors who retire after long careers.

In “The Fallers” he embodied Hermann Faller as a strong, kind-hearted character who stood for his family’s values ​​and traditions. With a new generation of actors now stepping into the lead roles, the series is rejuvenated and gives room for fresh perspectives. This could also be an exciting time for the show's fans, who can look forward to new stories.

A name of importance

The first name Wolfgang itself has a long history. Originally from Old High German, “Wolfgang” means something like “the path of the wolf”. This speaks for a tradition that goes back to the 8th century. Well-known bearers of this name include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Wolfgang von Regensburg, a saint and Bavarian bishop from the 10th century. This name has enjoyed great popularity in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and is associated with many cultural and historical meanings.

With Wolfgang Hepp's exit from “The Fallers,” we are not only saying goodbye to a role, but also to a part of TV culture that has thrilled generations of viewers for decades. He will go down in the fans' memories as an icon and remains a symbol of the connection between tradition and change in the German television landscape.

Last but not least, the diversity in media representation, not only through the series but also through the continuous development in the digital world, ensures exciting times. Be it the challenge or the opportunities presented to the media, the world remains dynamic and exciting, while at the same time we have to say goodbye to great artists like Wolfgang Hepp.