Verbotene Liebe minor characters

The following are characters from the German soap opera Verbotene Liebe (Forbidden Love) who are notable for their actions or relationships, but who do not warrant their own articles.

Ben von Anstetten

Benedikt "Ben" von Anstetten is a fictional character of the German soap opera Verbotene Liebe (Forbidden Love). The character was originated by Andreas Jung on April 15, 1996. After being introduced as a rival to his brother, the show's patriarch Christoph von Anstetten, Ben was killed off only months later. Jung last appeared on November 14, 1996.^[1]

After twenty years of absence, Ben returns with his new wife, who turns out to be Tanja Wittkamp. His family is shocked when they discover Tanja being the woman on Ben's side. Clarissa, Ben's sister-in-law, believes that she is just after the Anstetten fortune again as she was when she faked a pregnancy involving Ben's nephew Henning. But it doesn't take long and Clarissa and Christoph find out that Tanja and Ben seem to have their own understanding about their marriage as Ben is determined to get his inheritance. Christoph and his brother fight over the Anstetten home, Friedenau Castle, and the family business, the Anstetten Holding. Before Christoph can put the fight with his brother to rest he's found dead. Tanja acts as the grieving widow and appearing as the new châtelaine of Friedenau. Christoph and Tanja become the prime suspects in Ben's murder as they had to gain to most from his dead. It eventually becomes known that George Helthay, the former Butler of the Anstetten family, murdered Ben mistaking him for Clarissa, who he believed has become the misery of the Anstettens.

Carolin von Anstetten

Carolin von Anstetten (née Mohr) is a fictional character of the German soap opera Verbotene Liebe (Forbidden Love). The character was played by Jutta Fastian from January 1999 to December 15, 2000 and in special guest appearance to the 10th anniversary of the show on January 20, 2005.^[2]

Carolin appears for the very first time as a mysterious art dealer at Friedenau Castle on New Year's Eve in 1998. Henning von Anstetten immediately starts to fall for her. As Carolin meets Henning's father Christoph, she soon becomes his personal art dealer to complete his private gallery. Carolin uses her new position to deal to steel valuable paintings and exchanges them with forgeries to pay for an expensive operation to save the life of her younger sister Isabell. Eventually Carolin has to realize that she loves Henning and tells him the truth. He forgives her and the two become engaged shortly after. As they get married, Henning starts to work over hours what troubles his young marriage with Carolin. She finds a friend and auditor in his father Christoph. The two grow closer and start an affair with each other. Carolin ends up getting pregnant, but isn't sure about her baby's paternity. As Henning finds out about the pregnancy he's over the moon and wants to share to happy news at a celebration for the 333 anniversary of Friedenau. Sebastian Leutner, the sneaky boyfriend of her sister Isabell, finds out about Carolin's affair and tries to blackmail her. Carolin gives in to save her marriage to Henning. As the anniversary arrives, Christoph's hateful ex-wife Clarissa crashes the celebration without an invitation. She overhears Carolin talking to Isabell about her baby's paternity, which leaves Clarissa to drop the bomb that Carolin is trying to pass a bastard on Henning. But no one wants to believe Clarissa and thinks it's just another stunt to humiliate Christoph in public. As Carolin tells Henning that Clarissa was telling the truth, he leaves her and breaks all ties with his father.

Only days later, Sebastian threatens Carolin with a gun on her belly. As the two start to scuffle a shot goes off and Sebastian dies. Still in shock over what just happened Carolin runs away and Clarissa, who witnessed everything, hides the gun with Carolin's finger prints in her bedroom. As the gun is found, Carolin is arrested for Sebastian's murder. Clarissa then blackmails Christoph to marry her again to prove Carolin's innocence. Christoph refuses at first but as he witnesses first hand how miserable Carolin is doing he agrees, but keeps his wedding to Clarissa a secret from Carolin. The day after they got married, Clarissa clears Carolin with her statement and Carolin returns to Friedenau - shocked what Clarissa has done. Christoph wants to have a life with Carolin and marry her, but Clarissa makes it clear that he is stuck with her and would revoke her statement if he decides to divorce her. Desperate over the fact that Clarissa destroyed his life, Christoph commits suicide. Heartbroken, Carolin blames Clarissa, who feels guilty and eventually has to make a therapy to deal with her conscience.

Henning realizes that Carolin needs him now and decides to take a step into her direction. But Carolin tells him that nothing is the same anymore and that she really loved Christoph. Carolin says goodbye to Henning and decides to leave Friedenau. Isabell wants to walk along with her sister, but Carolin takes off without telling anyone. Isabell runs after Carolin, but only catches one last look at her sister, before the car and Carolin are gone. Months later, Carolin writes Isabell a letter after giving birth to a baby boy named Aaron.

In January 2005, Carolin is seen at an airport with twins - two girls. Aaron is nowhere to be seen. It's not known if this was an error by the writers or if Carolin either lied to Isabell or eventually got pregnant again.

Mimi Baxter

Wilhelmine "Mimi" Baxter (formerly Frei and von Lahnstein) is a fictional character of the German soap opera Verbotene Liebe (Forbidden Love) and was portrayed by Christa Strobel from October 4, 2005^[3] to February 22, 2006.^[4]

Introduced as the estranged mother of Johannes von Lahnstein, Mimi appears together with her granddaughter Maximiliane Frei. After pretending to be someone else to get to know her family again, Mimi grows very found of Johannes' daughter Nico. In the meanwhile, Johannes won't forgive his mother for leaving him all those years ago and wants her out of his life. Mimi feels sorry for what happened back then, but as she tries to make her son understand, her marriage to his father Dietrich became loveless and she just wasn't happy with her life as a Socialite. Johannes still felt resentful, but eventually let his mother back into his life by saying that he has always thought about her. As the two develop a better relationship, Mimi gets the chance for an adventure in Africa. Johannes is disappointed to see his mother leave again, but leaves with her on good terms. Eventually, Nico decides to go along with Mimi and they both leave together.

After Nico returns only several months later, it is mentioned that Mimi is still well and travels through the world. Nico later even rejoins her grandmother for another adventure, where the two also visited Thailand. When her twin-sister Jana Brandner died, Nico returns to Düsseldorf and also mourns the death of Johannes, who has been presumed dead after his plane went lost from the radar. At that time, Mimi isn't seen nor mentioned by anyone. Nico takes off again and returns in spring of 2010, where Mimi has already died and made Nico to her main heir. She starts exhibitions with her grandmother's work, which take the interest of a money-less prince, Philipp zu Hohenfelden, who in the beginning tries to con Nico before falling in love and eventually marrying her.

With the introduction of Johannes' brother Ludwig von Lahnstein it remained unclear if the two share the same mother; implying that Dietrich might have been married to someone else. However it has been confirmed that Ludwig is also Mimi's son as in one episode he looks at the art of "his mother".

Achim Brandner

Matthias Haase (5 August 2003^[5] to 11 September 2003; 28 June 2005 to 23 August 2005^[6])

Achim Brandner is the younger brother of Arno Brandner and cousin to Matthias Brandner and Philipp Brandner. He is also the father of Jana Brandner and Robin Brandner. Achim comes to Düsseldorf to visit his children. Arno is disgusted by Achim's behavior since he abandoned the kids after the death of his wife Vera. He wants to make up for the lost time and finds a supporter in his daughter Nico von Lahnstein, who wants to return into the home of her father. With Nico's support Jana also begins to have faith in her father again and the three want to leave town together, while Robin wants nothing to do with him. But when Nico discovers an old letter of her mother, saying she wasn't sure whether or not he was the father of Nico and Jana or not. With this discovery, Achim does a paternity test who proves that Jana is his daughter, while Nico isn't. Disappointed and hurt by the results Achim walks out on his children once again. Achim returns two years later and wants Robin and Jana to think that he changed. In the end, both of his kids decide to give their father another chance and Robin even leaves with his father after his break-up with girlfriend Coco. When his daughter Jana dies in the beginning of 2008, Achim is nowhere to be seen and does not attend her funeral. But he and the also absent Robin send flowers for her grave.

Iris Brandner

Regina Nowack (2 January 1995^[7] to 24 January 1996^[8])

Iris Sander Brandner is the first wife of Arno Brandner and mother to Florian Brandner and Susanne Brandner. She also raised Arno's illegitimate son Jan Brandner from his previous relationship with Clarissa von Anstetten. Iris is the heart and soul of the Brandner family and is shocked when she finds out that Arno lied to her in all those years they've been married and never told her that he has another child with Clarissa. Jan's twin-sister Julia, who he falls in love with unknowingly that she is his sister. Iris has a hard time forgiving Arno for not letting her in on his secrets, which leads to marriage problems. Arno has enough from all the fighting with Iris and finds comfort in the arms of Clarissa. He begins a passionate affair with his former love. When Iris finds out about them, she decides to leave Arno for good. Iris feels betrayed by her family, when Clarissa becomes more and more present in all of their lives and escapes. Iris isn't seen for months, when a shocking news gets through the Brandner house a day after Arno's birthday. Iris died because of a ectopic pregnancy, which wasn't diagnosed in time. The Brandner's are shocked when they find out that Arno wasn't the father - Iris new lover Jürgen May was.

Philipp Brandner

Steve Hudson (May 1999 to 7 August 2000^[9]; 25 January 2005^[10])

Philipp Brandner is the scheming cousin of Arno Brandner, Matthias Brandner and Achim Brandner. He works as an architect and soon gets a job in Arno's construction company Brandner Bau. But Philipp begins to embezzle money and costs a collapse of a fairground. Arno has to cover for Philipp's actions and gets into debt because of it. He sells his company and can't believe when Philipp appears to be the new owner; getting the company through a stooge. He buys himself and his great love Steffi Sander an expensive apartment, but is left by her when she sees him for who he really is. When Steffi then begins to date Philipp's best friend Max Jannsen, he loses it and tries to murder them. Steffi and Max survive the attempted murder and Philipp gets convicted. But he can free himself and gets away. After four and a half years, Philipp appears as a roses seller in the Bistro Schneiders. He is thrown out by one of the waiter and remains unrecognized.

Meike Breuer

Meike Breuer (née Wittkamp) is a fictional character of the German soap opera Verbotene Liebe (Forbidden Love). The character was played by Nova Meierhenrich from June 9, 2006 to August 30, 2006.^[11]

Meike is the younger sister of Tanja von Anstetten. Tanja hasn't been in contact with her family for years and is not happy, when Meike comes to Düsseldorf. But when Tanja sees that she could use Meike to get in contact with her son Hannes, Tanja tries to be extremely nice to her sister. Hannes is living with Tanja's ex Ansgar von Lahnstein. The timing couldn't be better, when Meike takes the job offer to be the new nanny of Hannes. This way she can let Tanja see the little boy whenever he wants. But even through Meike's intentions are pure, it doesn't take long until she's caught up in Ansgar and Tanja's games with each other. Ansgar finds out that Meike is Tanja's sister and wants to win her for his side, when the custody battle comes up. He tells Meike that he's real feelings for her - even proposes to Meike. When the custody trial comes up, Ansgar outs Meike as Tanja's sister and Tanja fears to lose the fight over her son. In the end, Meike is hurt by Ansgar's betrayal and kidnaps Hannes, believing that Tanja and Ansgar don't deserve him. Nathalie Käppler tries to get to Meike and gets her into giving up and returning Hannes to his parents, before she's about to kill him. After this Meike is brought in a psychiatric institution. It's mentioned in 2008 by her mother Annegret that she is still in psychiatric care. When Ansgar tries in December 2009 to drug Tanja with hallucinogens and wants her put away into a mental hospital, once again it's been confirmed that after more than three years, Meike still wasn't released.

Nicole Büchner

Sotiria Loucopoulos (30 August 1995^[12] to 31 August 1995, 02 October 1995 to 03 April 1996, 13 September 1996 to 08 October 1996^[13])

Nicole Büchner comes to town after the death of her father Max Orbis. She returns months later to visit her half-brother Alex Wiegand, who's mental state is more than critical. Nicole soon develops a friendship with Julia von Anstetten and falls in love with her twin-brother Jan Brandner. He has interest in her as well and after a short time the two of them become a couple. Nicole shares a flat with the twins and realizes after a short time that Jan and Julia have a special relationship to one another that she's not a part of. As Julia starts a relationship with Sebastian Schröder, Jan shows a jealous behavior that leads for Nicole to break up with him. Sebastian starts to feel the same way in his relationship with Julia and finds comfort in Nicole. Sebastian ends things with Julia and he and Nicole become a couple. Soon after the two leave town. Five months later Nicole returns to the wedding of Julia with Tim Sander.

Jessica von Deinburg-Thalbach

Andrea Suwa (26 September 1997^[14] to 1998^[15])

Jessica von Deinburg-Thalbach (also known as Princess of Deinburg-Thalbach and born as Prozeski) is the niece of Clarissa von Anstetten and moves with her family to Düsseldorf. She begins to work in a children's home. Jessica keeps a family secret with why her mother Katrin left the family years ago and disappeared. She meets and begins to fall in love with Alexander Berg. She doesn't know that he truly is a rich prince. Jessica finds out the truth, when she reads the announcement of marriage with Eva von Waller-Schönfeld in the paper. She tries to distant herself from Alexander, but he wants to fight for her and even break with his family. Against the will of his father, Alexander announces that he wants to marry Jessica. While the wedding, Alexander's father appears and makes peace with his son. After Jessica and Alexander have a ceremony at Castle Friedenau, they say their goodbyes and leave for Abu Dhabi, where the happy couple starts a new life.

Theresa Erzberger

Eva Luca Klemmt (13 May 2011^[16] to 31 October 2011)

Theresa Erzberger is the egocentric new jockey of the Lahnstein stud farm. As soon as she starts her job, Theresa comes to close quarters with groom Dana Wolf and sees through her feelings for her brother-in-law Hagen von Lahnstein. Theresa uses sarcastic comments to describe the seemingly forbidden relationship Dana and Hagen share and soon develops a crush on the married Christian Mann. As he separates from his husband, Oliver Sabel, Christian can't deny his attraction to Theresa and the two start sleeping together.

Philipp zu Hohenfelden

Philipp zu Hohenfelden is a fictional character of the German soap opera Verbotene Liebe (Forbidden Love). The character was played by Stephan Käfer from May 7, 2010 to September 9, 2011.^[17]

Prince Philipp is the best friend of Tristan von Lahnstein and a con artist, who uses the wealth of older women to finance his lifestyle. While married to the vicious Antonia Weber, Philipp has an affair with Lady Joan. The aristocratic lady soon learns about Philipp's real interest in her and leaves him - after she coned him. Philipp soon develops interest in Nico von Lahnstein and starts to fall in love with her. But Antonia is determined to prohibit this love from happening. As she can't stop interfering in Philipp and Nico's life, Philipp wants to talk to her - only to find her dead in her hotel room. The prince is now wanted for murder and the press starts a persecution on him. Nico tries to stay by his side, but in between has her own doubts about Philipp's innocence. In the end, Nico starts fighting for her man and can clear him from the murder charge.

The two get legally married and want to take a trip around the world. But family problems keep Nico from going away and as the day of their departure comes near, Philipp has a life-changing accident. He's a victim in a hit-and-run by Helena von Lahnstein, Nico's cousin, and fights for his life. Nico wakes by his bedside, while Helena impends to break down over her guilt. Philipp starts recovering and is released out of the hospital, but is ordered to take things slowly. As he plans a romantic surprise for Nico, Philipp breaks down in front of a garden with red roses. As Helena and her boyfriend Andi Fritzsche find him, he's rushed to the hospital; falling into a coma. Fearing that he may never wake up again, Nico and Philipp's father Trutz try to find help in a special clinic in Munich.

On September 8th, after he was declared to be brain death, Nico decided to cut the life support system that kept him alive. Eventually after Philipp's death, Nico finds out that her cousin Helena is responsible. Helena condemned to social hours in a hospital, while Nico can't believe that Helena can go on with her life like nothing happened. Together with her brother Ansgar, Nico plans to take revenge on Helena.

Trutz zu Hohenfelden

Rainer Goernemann (26 July 2010^[18] to 28 July 2010; 26 October 2010 to 27 October 2010; 19 May 2011 to 20 May 2011, 18 July 2011 to 20 September 2011)

Trutz-Alouis zu Hohenfelden is the father of Philipp and meets his son while being on a business trip in Düsseldorf. Between the two is no love left as Trutz makes it clear that he sees his son as a loser. He seems to be proven right, when Philipp asks him for 2,000,000 € to help an "old friend" out. Trutz shows his disappointment, but is willing to give Philipp the money, if he returns home with him and begins to work in the family's company. Philipp decides to go for it, when he makes a bet with his father. If Philipp loses he has to return with Trutz, but if he wins he gets the money. Philipp's wife Antonia Weber pays Trutz a visit to warn him and makes it clear that he doesn't want Philipp to win; fearing that she would lose him entirely on Nico von Lahnstein. Trutz shows up to win the bet, but eventually loses due to his big ego. Trutz gives Philipp the money and leaves Düsseldorf with the certainty to never see his son again.

Three months later, Trutz returns and wants to speak with Philipp. But father and son don't seem to find a basis to speak with each other.^[19] Nico tries to talk to Trutz and can convince Philipp to listen to what his father has to say. He finds out that Trutz is going to cancer treatment and wants his son by his side. Philipp and Trutz find a way to overcome the past and Philipp leaves Düsseldorf for a short time to help his father with the chemotherapy. When Trutz visits Nico in May 2011, he wants to sell a family heirloom. Philipp and Nico aren't sure about Trutz' illness and Philipp even fears that his father could die soon. In the end, Nico can arrange for father and son to talk to each other and Trutz promises his son that he's fine.

Trutz returns once again, when his son has a tragic accident and is falling into a coma. He tries to be there for Nico and doesn't want her to give up hope. Trutz escorts his daughter-in-law to Munich to treat Philipp in a special clinic.

Lady Joan

Joan Collins (7 May 2010 to 11 May 2010)

Lady Joan is a British aristocratic Lady, who comes to Düsseldorf as companion of Prince Philipp zu Hohenfelden. The attractive old lady sees Philipp's interest in a young countess, Nico von Lahnstein. She begins to believe that Philipp is only with her because of Joan's money. When he wins a race, she takes his gain and leaves town with a goodbye for her former boytoy. Philipp calls her and is determined to get his money back.

Elke Käppler

Elke Bludau (23 October 2003^[20] to 15 March 2007^[21])

Elke Käppler is the head maid of Castle Königsbrunn, home of the aristocratic Lahnstein family. She always seems to have a little crush on Johannes von Lahnstein. While she respects his wife Cécile de Maron, who later falls in love with Johannes son Leonard, she seems to despite Elisabeth, who begins a relationship with him after Johannes' marriage to Cécile failed. Elke has a great relationship with her niece Nathalie Käppler. In 2006 it comes out that Elke once had a one-night-stand with Johannes, which resulted a child. Sarah Hofmann comes to Königsbrunn to work as a maid for the Lahnstein family. It comes out that she is Elke and Johannes' illegitimate daughter. Elke later decides that she no longer can stay on the castle and leaves after Nathalie married Johannes' oldest son Ansgar. After she disappeared, Elke is hardly mentioned.

Peter Kaufmann

Ingo Klünder (1 October 1999 to 10 August 2000^[22])

Peter Kaufmann appears to be the first husband of Clarissa von Anstetten, marrying Clarissa under her birth name Clara Prozeski. When Peter falls in love with Ingrid Bohn, he wants to leave Clarissa. But she doesn't agrees and instead blackmails Peter with his illegal business activities. But in the end, Peter isn't scared of Clarissa's threats anymore and leaves her anyway. But Clarissa wasn't playing and gives her information to the police. Peter has to flee the country and hides in South America; leaving a pregnant Ingrid behind. After the birth of her son Max, Ingrid doesn't want to live without Peter and takes her own life. Max is left to people who adopt him, while Clarissa enjoys her life, declares Peter as dead and marries the wealthy businessman Christoph von Anstetten.

Years later, Peter is brought back to Germany by the Anstetten family to out Clarissa as a fraud and bigamist. In the meanwhile, Clarissa plans to publish her autobiography. The Anstettens succeed in adding another chapter to the book and open up about Clarissa's shameful past. After Clarissa is humiliated in front of the public eye, Peter returns to South America. But soon after, he returns and falls in love with Bistro owner Charlie Schneider, Clarissa's frenemy. Charlie is suspicious of Peter because of his past with Clarissa. But after he proves his love to her, the two become a happy couple. But Clarissa has problems to see her ex-husband happy and tries to ruin his announced wedding with Charlie. Clarissa's plan works as she can seduce Peter shortly before his wedding to Charlie, who eventually breaks things with him. To let Peter suffer even more, Clarissa brings his son Max to town and sicks him on his father. Max becomes a tool to Clarissa's schemes and even begins an affair with her. But when Max learns the truth he breaks all ties with Clarissa and reunites with his father, who both leave town.

Kitty Kübler

Monica Ivancan (26 September 2006^[23] to 19 October 2009^[24])

Katharina "Kitty" Kübler is the beginning an assistant to one of the schemes of Tanja von Anstetten. Tanja uses Kitty to get Ansgar von Lahnstein arrested for drug possession and smuggling. When Kitty fears that her involvement could come out she leaves town for a while. But she comes back to work is a loyal secretary to Adrian Degenhardt. She helps him with his schemes and always tries to do what's best for him. But Kitty always seems to have a little problem with her intelligence, which leads to the guess that she could be a problem and not very helpful to Adrian to solve his. Adrian keeps Kitty anyway and they both share a strange friendship with each other. Kitty also becomes the frienemy of Olivia Schneider. She sleeps with Olivia's uncle Lars, after Olivia told her that he is into her. But Olivia was blackmailed to destroy with relationship between Lars and his girlfriend Nathalie and used Kitty for it. But when Olivia becomes famous as a model, Kitty is happy to call Olivia one of her friends anyway. Since then they both are seen in unity. When Olivia disappears, Kitty is only shown her role as Tanja's assistant. After 'v.L. Faces' is written out a few months after Kitty's last appearance, she is not mentioned again.

Robert Marenbach

Max Engelke (27 January 2010^[25] to 6 July 2010^[26])

Robert "Rob" Marenbach is an event manager and a great contact for Oliver Sabel to influence the party scene in Düsseldorf with the NoLimits. Oliver is impressed by Robert's ideas, which soon leads to tension with his boyfriend Christian Mann. He turns out to be a drug dealer who plans to use NoLimits as a base to sell drugs, and has displayed personal interest in Oliver, although it was unclear whether it was romantic, merely physical, or a facade to use him and his place for traffic.

After Oliver realized that his partnering with Rob was straining his relationship with Christian, parted ways with him, which made Robert resentful. He then tried to frame Oliver on drug dealing, leaving a drug package in No Limits and calling the police, but his plan backfired because Rebecca von Lahnstein hid the package and left it in his car, prompting the cops to raid his house and find drugs there. Robert was arrested.

Monseñor Mateo

Claus Wilcke (23 June 2011^[27] to present)

Monseñor Mateo is introduced as superior for Padre Jan Brandner, when he arrives on Mallorca.^[28] Mateo doesn't know what to think of Jan as he switches his job more often and doesn't appear as a typical reverend. Mateo still meets Jan with respect and shows him around and hopes that he's there to stay. As time goes by, Mateo grows very found of Jan and is amazed with his work. But he also sees Jan's broken soul and puts things together as Julia Mendes is confirmed to be his twin-sister.

David McNeil

Sam Eisenstein (24 March 2003^[29] to 9 March 2005^[30])

David McNeil (born as Fabian Weiland) was married to Hanna Novak once. Because he was an undercover police officer and he didn't want to get Hanna in danger, he took a place in the witness protection service after he testified as principal witness. Hanna thought for years her husband was dead. When Fabian comes back as David to Düsseldorf to do business with Marie von Anstetten, he meets Hanna again. Even though she moved on and is in a relationship with the lawyer Lars Schneider, Hanna begins an affair with her former husband. Hanna's devious sister Sylvia Jones discovers the affair and blackmails her sister into ending her relationship to Lars or she would tell the press about David's role as a principal witness. Hanna ends her relationship with Lars, but he comes behind Sylvia's scheme. Furious she tells the press about David, which brings Hanna and David in danger. They can rescue themselves in the last minute. After this David and Hanna decide to stay friends. Introduced by Hanna and Lars, David meets the attractive bistro owner Charlie Schneider. They have a complicated, but also very passionate relationship with each other. When Charlie's old enemy Tanja von Anstetten returns to town, she wants to make Charlie's life miserable and uses David in one of her schemes. She seduces David and takes care that Charlie discovers them in bed together. Charlie ends the relationship, but when they both suffered because of Tanja, they decide to stay friends after all. He leaves Düsseldorf for a while, after he hasn't much success with an opera he wrote. When Charlie has money problems, she decides to fake David's death and get money for David's written opera. After this David surprisingly returns and is furious when he finds out what Charlie did. David refuses to forgive her, but in the end he sees that as a new beginning, says goodbye to Charlie and begins a new life in New York.

Miriam Pesch

Romina Becks (30 October 2007^[31] to present)

Miriam Pesch is a waitress in NoLimits. She is introduced as a classmate of Lisa Brandner, who takes interest in Constantin von Lahnstein. She later has a one-night-stand with her boss, Gregor Mann and ends up kissing a drunk Christian Mann. Miriam seems to be a very nice person, who often trashes glasses in front of guests and has an unhappy love life. In 2010, she starts dating Andi Fritzsche after his relationship with Helena von Lahnstein ended because of the schemes of her brother Tristan. In late November 2010, Miriam shares a kiss with Helena and Tristian's sister Rebecca von Lahnstein and the two soon start a relationship. Unfortunately, it doesn't last long, and they break up in January after deciding to be friends instead.

Rajan Rai

Sascha Zaglauer (22 October 1996^[32] to 18 July 1997^[33])

Rajan Rai is the illegitimate son of Ben von Anstetten. He comes to Castle Friedenau to learn more about his father, who has no idea that he has a son. Kati von Sterneck falls in love with him and procures him work as a groom. Rajan takes interest in the Anstetten family, which makes Ben's wife Tanja von Anstetten suspicious of him. When she finds out his secret, Tanja becomes his ally and tries to use Rajan's situation of being Ben's son. As soon as Ben finds out about his paternity, he invites Rajan to live on Castle Friedenau. Rajan begins to develop feelings for his stepmother and even begins a love affair with her, after Ben is murdered. But Tanja only uses him. When Rajan sees Tanja's interest in Tim Sander, he wants her to come with him to India and become his wife. Tanja agrees and prusues a cruel plan. After their wedding, Tanja kills Rajan and returns with his half of Ben's fourtne to Germany.

Alexander Rheinsberg

Frank Maier (17 November 2011^[34] to present)

Alexander Rheinsberg is an old friend of Tristan von Lahnstein, who appears in Düsseldorf and shows interest in Marlene von Lahnstein.

Kerstin Richter

Kerstin Richter is a fictional character of the German soap opera Verbotene Liebe (Forbidden Love). The character was introduced by Julia Haacke on June 5, 1997. She remained on recurring basis until August 27, 1997. After fourteen years, Haacke returned as Kerstin from August 19, 2011 to August 31, 2011.^[35] She is set to reappear again in February 2012.^[36]

Kerstin is introduced as a friend of Susanne Brandner. On her birthday party Kerstin meets Susanne's brother Jan and falls for him on first sight. Jan mourns the disappearance of his twin-sister Julia von Anstetten, who he was trying to find for months. Giving up hope to find her, Jan starts a relationship with Kerstin. But she soon has to realizes that Jan and Julia share more than a sibling bond. As Kerstin by mistakes opens a letter for Jan, she's shocked to read that Julia is alive and wants Jan to follow her to Spain, where she's living now. Kerstin wants Jan to make up his mind and confronts him with Julia being alive and well. Jan wants to visit Julia, but realizes that his love for her is beyond all hope. He returns into Kerstin's arms, who is about to start a new life in Paris. Jan decides to go with her and start over.

In Paris, Jan realizes that his love for Julia is stronger and will never go away. Feeling that he never can love another woman like he loves his sister, he breaks up with Kerstin. After the break up, Kerstin finds out that she's pregnant with Jan's child, but decides to keep this to herself. While Jan becomes a priest, Kerstin raises their daughter Leonie all on her own.

As a seventeen year old Leonie wants to know more about her father and Kerstin isn't willing to give her the answers, Leonie tries to find him and locates Jan on the Spanish island Mallorca. She's flying to Jan to finally get answers about his disappearance and is confronted by him not even knowing that he has a daughter. Kerstin travels after her daughter and wants to prevent Leonie having a relationship with Jan. Seeing him after all those years sets her pain free and Jan realizes how hurt Kerstin must have been over the break up all those years ago. As Kerstin wants to leave with Leonie, Jan's mother Clarissa von Anstetten threatens her to allow Jan and Leonie a normal father-daughter relationship, otherwise Kerstin would know what she's capable of. Kerstin realizes in the end that Jan has really interest in getting to know Leonie and agrees that she can stay a while with him.

Lukas Roloff

Christoph Dostal (7 May 2001^[37] to 4 November 2002^[38])

Lukas Roloff is a devious attoney, who wants was a well-known lawyer in the world of the high society. But he lost his good reputation and is determined to get it back. Lukas meets Tanja von Anstetten, who is back in Düsseldorf, and is taking an interest in her late husband's nephew, Henning von Anstetten. He wants to marry him to get the rest of the money out of the Anstetten fortune. She begins an affair with Lukas and he becomes her partner-in-crime as Tanja promises him a share of what she gets. But with all her scheming and the plan to murder Henning, Lukas becomes cold feet and tells Clarissa von Anstetten about Tanja's plan. Since Tanja wants to use Clarissa as prime suspect in Henning's murder, Clarissa is all for taking her arch enemy down once and for all. When Tanja discovers that Lukas is working with Clarissa, he attempts to kill him together with Beatrice von Beyenbach, who also has become a witness of her crime. Lukas survives but hasn't learned his lesson. He begins to flirt with Charlie Schneider to get her money. But Charlie sees through to his plan and plans on taking revenge together with her good friend Cécile de Maron. Together they are determined to get Charlie's money back. After they did, Lukas is convicted with grand theft and gets five years in prison. Lukas is never seen again in Düsseldorf.

Josefine von Rossitz

Lin Lougear (30 November 2009^[39] to 1 December 2009^[40]; 12 March 2010 to 15 March 2010)

Josefine von Rossitz (born as von Waldensteyck) is the aunt of Luise von Waldensteyck and is contacted by her niece, when Castle Waldensteyck is about to get sold to one of Eduard von Tepp's business partner. At first, Josefine isn't very happy with Luise's choice; to marry the former call boy Gregor Mann. But as soon as she gets to know Gregor, she is smitten by him and promises Luise that she will do anything to save the Castle. Luise is shocked when she finds out that Eduard's business partner already bought the residence of the Waldensteyck family and wants to turn it into a whorehouse. Josefine later tells her niece over the phone that she couldn't of helped with the money to rescue the Castle anyway.

Henriette Sabel

Henriette Sabel (née Schneider) is a fictional character of the German soap opera Verbotene Liebe (Forbidden Love). The character was introduced by Susanne Seuffert, who played the role from March 8, 2001 to March 12, 2001.^[41] The role was recast in 2010 with Angelika Fornell. She played the part from August 23, 2010 to September 6, 2010.^[42]

Henriette is the overbearing and conservative mother of Oliver Sabel. When she comes to visit him and her sister Charlie Schneider in March 2001, Henriette is shocked to find out that her son is living in a romantic relationship with another man. Disgusted and disappointed with Olli's lifestyle, Henriette leaves town. Olli is left heartbroken by his mother's behavior as Charlie becomes a mother figure for him in the following years.

Henriette makes a surprising return in summer of 2010, when Olli is about to marry his longtime-boyfriend Christian Mann. Still against Olli's way of living, Henriette pleads with him to not undermine the institution of a marriage. Charlie tries to let her sister see how happy Olli and Christian are. But Henriette still refuses to attend the wedding. Eventually Christian lets Henriette realize how much he loves her son and tells her how happy they make each other. In the end, Henriette overcomes her believes and attends the wedding. She congratulates Christian and Olli and asks her son for forgiveness and says that she still needs to see that the times have changed. After the wedding took place, Charlie persuades Henriette to travel with her for some time before returning to Meppen.

Sonja von Steigenberg

Anouschka Renzi (2 August 2010^[43] to 4 August 2010^[44]; 1 February 2011^[45] to 3 March 2011^[46])

Sonja von Steigenberg is a former mistress of Prince Philipp zu Hohenfelden. He owes Sonja a lot of money and comes to Düsseldorf, where she meets with Philipp's wife Antonia Weber, who wants to use Sonja to keep her husband from getting closer to Nico von Lahnstein. Sonja gives Philipp time to get back her money or else she will tell Nico that her new lover is a con artist. Philipp takes part in a high-risk poker game to get Sonja's money and is happy to pay her back and keep his secret. Already believing that he will never cross paths with Sonja again, she gives Nico a call months later. Nico already knows about Philipp's shady past, but gets another surprise when Sonja delivers her a recording that can prove that Philipp in fact killed Antonia. As Sonja takes the stand in Philipp's trail, Sebastian can prove that she's lying. After that, Sonja disappears.

Jessica Stiehl

Jessica Stiehl is a fictional character on the German soap opera Verbotene Liebe (Forbidden Love). The character was originated by Jana Julie Kilka on January 28, 2010.^[47][48] Jessica is mostly used as a classic comic relief.

Jessica is the niece of Justus Stiehl, butler of the Lahnstein family. When she comes to Düsseldorf she's determined to get rich and famous and do whatever she has to do for it. Her intentions are tested when she becomes involved in a scheme by the wealthy Tristan von Lahnstein, who wants to get rid of his twin-sister's boyfriend, Andi Fritzsche. As it later appears to Jessica, Tristan is obsessed with his sister Helena and has desires to have an incestuous relationship with her. Jessica lies about Andi trying to rape her, which opens up for a lot of tension between her and Helena and Andi. Eventually Andi is found not guilty because of little evidence. Jessica moves on with her relationship to Tristan and even becomes engaged to him. She breaks it off when she realizes that she only is a cover for Tristan's love for Helena. Tristan and Jessica end up sleeping together anyway as Jessica hopes she can gain something by it, but eventually ends things completely when Jessica has to have sex with Tristan with a wing to look like Helena. As Tristan's obsession with his sister is later found out by his family, Jessica's lie about Andi raping her is also exposed. Jessica eventually moves on to Constantin von Lahnstein, who just returned to town and has taken an interest in Jessica. But when he finds out the truth about her, he ends things with her before they even started.

Broke and discredited, Jessica wants the forgiveness of Justus, who eventually has her work as a maid for the Lahnstein family. Jessica uses her new position to dig up dirt about the Lahnsteins, but is confronted by Helena, who lets her know that her every move is watched. Jessica's rivalry with Helena hits a new high, when Jessica parties with Andi and his roommate Christian Mann and they end up having a threesome together. Andi and Christian, who's married to Oliver Sabel, cheated on their partners. While Christian tells Olli the truth and puts his marriage at risk, Andi wants to keep the night to themselves. But Helena finds out the truth and ends her relationship with Andi as well, after even trying relationship counseling. Even though, Jessica is one of the reason Olli broke up with Christian, he and Jessica become friends over time and Jessica is even allowed to stay in the flat-share; even starting a friendly relationship with Andi. In May 2011, Jessica starts working as a personal assistant for Tanja von Lahnstein, who becomes her role model. She's later chosen together with Olli to model for the new Incest(?) campaign, with which Tanja wants to relaunch 'Ligne Clarisse', a fashion company who was once owned by Tanja's enemy Clarissa von Anstetten. While working for Tanja, Jessica also started sleeping with Tanja's ex-husband Ansgar von Lahnstein on several occasions. More recently Jessica is involved in trying to reunite Christian and Olli; realizing that they belong together and feeling even more remorse for spending a night with Christian in the first place.

Butler Justus Stiehl

Claus Thull-Emden (26 November 2007^[49] to present)

Justus Stiehl is the butler of the aristocratic Lahnstein family and very loyal. He got employed by the late Johannes von Lahnstein, only months before his tragic presumed death. Justus is very serious about his work and tries to keep everything together. For a long time he seems to head the personal of the castle until the arrival of Stella Mann, who becomes the caretaker and head of the staff. Justus seems to be a cold and snobby character, but has a warm soul.

Eduard von Tepp

Hubertus Regout (9 February 2009^[50] to 15 March 2010)

Eduard von Tepp is a wealthy baron and the fiancé of Luise von Waldensteyck. He is a very snobby personality and likes things to be planned out in every single detail. He is a passionate fan of antic cigar boxes. A love he doesn't share with his fiancée. His love to Luise seems to be more like a business for him. The principality of Waldensteyck has serious money problems and with his marriage to Luise he would help them out. When Luise falls in love with Gregor Mann and wants to break her engagement with Eduard, he tells her that he may be the only chance to rescue Waldensteyck. Luise is shocked that Eduard knew all along that their marriage wasn't about two people loving each other. Eduard tries everything to bring Gregor and Luise away from each other. He wants to destroy Gregor and manipulate his helicopter, so he crashed with Luise and Gregor. They survived the crash, so Eduard tries to kill Gregor in the hospital. When Luise finds out, she is in shock and realizes what Eduard is capable of. Gregor and Luise press charges against him, but Eduard is nowhere to be found. They later get word that Eduard is somewhere in Italy, hiding from German authorities. But he shows up again on Luise and Gregor's wedding day. He holds Luise hostage and wants a final duel with Gregor. A duel of life and death. Gregor wins, when his brother Christian shows up and they both take Eduard to wait for the police to take him away. After they overcome this crisis, Luise and Gregor get married.

Rafael Velasquez

Marc Philipp (18 July 2011^[51] to present)

Rafael Velasquez is introduced as a friend of Timo Mendes. Rafael is openly gay and soon starts to flirt with Oliver Sabel, who he meets on the beach.^[52] Olli takes a vacation from his broken marriage with Christian Mann and seems to find the perfect distraction in the charming Rafael. The two go together to Timo's house party, where Rafael kisses Olli. The married man is insecure about how far he wants this flirt to go and stops Rafael, only to give in a little later. Rafael and Olli spend a passionate night together. Olli wakes up alone, while Rafael is asking Timo where Olli went. Weeks later, Rafael is seen in the 'No Limits' in Düsseldorf, searching for Olli. This comes to a time when Olli and Christian get closer again. As Rafael is about to continue his affair with Olli, Christian tries to win his husband back. Christian makes one last attempt, when Olli and Rafael decide to vacate in Ibiza, but fails as he close misses Olli.

Wilhelm von Waldensteyck

Michael Tietz (28 April 2009^[53] to 30 July 2009^[54]; 6 November 2009)

Wilhelm von Waldensteyck is the seriously ill father of Luise von Waldensteyck. His daughter takes over the business for him to representative the family and living a life of a socialite. The principality of Waldensteyck has serious money problems, which leads to Luise marrying the wealthy Eduard von Tepp. But Luise has fallen in love with Gregor Mann. When she wants to break the engagement to Eduard, Wilhelm tells his daughter to put the happiness of an entire principality in front of her own. Luise tries her best, but his disappoint when she finds out that her marriage with Eduard was more about business than anything else. The begging of her father to don't let Waldensteyck go down makes the decision between heart and mind for Luise not any easier. On the 30th July 2009 Wilhelm died getting the promise from Luise that she will marry Eduard in order to save Waldensteyck. But Luise later decides to marry Gregor anyway. On her wedding day, the ghost of Wilhelm appears to his daughter and gives her his blessing.

Antonia Weber

Ricarda Bramley (25 May 2010^[55] to 10 December 2010^[56])

Antonia Weber is the scheming wife of Philipp zu Hohenfelden. She appears in Düsseldorf after Philipp made contact to the wealthy Nico von Lahnstein. Her plan is it that Philipp appears to fall for Nico to get to her money, like they did with other women before. But Antonia doesn't realize that Philipp begins to really fall for Nico. Meanwhile, Antonia plans to have Philipp kidnapped to get the ransom from her. Philipp stops his plan against Nico, which leads for Antonia to scheme against the couple. She even kidnaps Nico herself and tries to do everything to blackmail Philipp into coming back to her. After Nico and Philipp thought that Antonia got arrested, she comes back to Düsseldorf and wants to meet with Philipp. When he arrives at her hotel room, he finds Antonia dead after she committed suicide. Antonia left a personal diary which indicates that Philipp played her and Nico for months and that he in fact killed Antonia, while she was still in love with him and hoping for a happy end. Philipp decides to hide the diary from Nico and also from the police. As Nico discovers it by accident she's furious with Philipp but decides to stay with him when he wants to turn it to the police. He later returns and tells Nico that the charges against him were dropped. When Nico finds out that he never showed the police Antonia's diary she questions their relationship and Philipp's love for her again. Eventually Nico comes around as Philipp has already given the diary to the police. With the evidence against him, Philipp is sure that Antonia has done anything to let him pay for her death.

Alex Wiegand

Alexander "Alex" Wiegand is a fictional character of the German soap opera Verbotene Liebe (Forbidden Love). The role was introduced by Frank Behnke in March 1995.^[57] Behnke left the show after only a few months and last appeared on November 6, 1995. He eventually returned for a short stint from August 9, 1996 to August 23, 1996. Over the years, Alex married Susanne Brandner off-screen and was reintroduced to the audience, when Susanne left Alex and returned with her two children to Düsseldorf. Unter uns-villain Stefan Franz took over the role for a telephone conversation from April 21, 2005^[58] to April 22, 2005.^[59] Over a year later, Behnke reappeared in the role from September 12, 2006 to September 21, 2006, before returning one last time from February 27, 2007 to March 9, 2007.^[60]

Alex is the illegitimate son of Max Orbis, owner of a big empire. He hasn't spoken to his father in years, when Alex comes to Düsseldorf and begins to work for construction builder Arno Brandner. His new boss is impressed by Alex' work. Only Arno's daughter Susanne can't stand the new employee, who he has to share an office with. Alex begins an affair with the influential Clarissa von Anstetten. But the passion soon gets lost and Alex moves on with Clarissa's daughter Julia. The relationship doesn't last long either, after Julia can't get over the feelings she has for her brother Jan and Alex wants to move to quickly. When Susanne's boyfriend Oliver Kopp gets arrested for manslaughter, Susanne finds comfort in Alex. Her mother Iris hopes that Susanne can get over Oliver and that her future might be with Alex. Iris tries to hide Oliver's letters from prison, while Alex and Susanne get closer. When Susanne finds out about her mother's doing, she deals with a guilty conscience and decides to marry Oliver in prison. Alex then finds out that his father is seriously ill and wants him to be his successor. Even though Alex has no interest in his inheritance, he promises his father to take care of the company. Max leaves Düsseldorf happy to take a last vacation from which he never returns. When Alex gets news from his father's death, he shows an odd behavior. Clarissa begins to take care of Alex and takes interest in him again, but is only after the company Max left for his son. She tries to manipulate him and makes him believe that his father's girlfriend Fiona Beckmann is responsible for Max' death. Alex gets more and more paranoid and is convinced that Fiona, Susanne and Sophie Levinsky want to harm him. He takes Sophie hostage and the situation gets out of control. Only a doctor can convince Alex that he has serious issues, suffering from a persecution complex, and Alex gets committed to a mental hospital.

Walter Wittkamp

Josef Quadflieg (21 June 1995^[61])
Erich Krieg (27 July 2011 to 10 August 2011)

Walter Wittkamp is the abusive father of Tanja von Anstetten and her younger siblings Meike and Thomas. He's married to their mother Annegret. Walter first appears in June 1995, when he has to sell his stud farm to Christoph von Anstetten. Tanja is angry with her father that he doesn't see another way to hold on to their property and takes the promise of young Jan Brandner that she always can visit her horse at Castle Friedenau. This is the perfect invitation for Tanja into a world of wealth and power. Tanja burns all bridges with her hated family.

When Tanja's mother Annegret reappears in 2008, she tells her daughter that Walter died. Annegret wants to reconcile with Tanja, when a family secret comes out. Tanja spent years in psychiatric care, after she was hold responsible for Thomas' tragic death. Annegret admits that it was Walter who took the life of Thomas by pushing him down the stairs. Tanja makes it perfectly clear that her parents were never their for her and wants Annegret to leave. After one last attempt to reunite with Tanja, Annegret decides to commit suicide.

In 2011, Tanja is hunted by her father's ghost, after she gets locked in an ice cellar from Rebecca von Lahnstein. The hallucinations tell Tanja that she's worthless and will always be alone. Walter tells his daughter that she will have no other than him and that he will never leave her alone. Tanja is scared out of her mind and breaks down in tears when Sebastian finds her.^[62] After resting under Sebastian's watch, Tanja is all alone again when she wakes up and hunted by Walter once again. Tanja wants to make sure to get rid of her father and starts to mix up reality with her hallucinations. She buys a gun in order to murder Walter, but instead shoots Sebastian who in her mind she sees as Walter. Tanja is shocked about her doing and is glad when Sebastian wants to hear her story. Tanja tells Sebastian about the abuse, the death of Thomas and her two years in a psychiatric institution. In the end Sebastian promises her that she never has to fear anything ever again.^[63]

See also

• List of Verbotene Liebe characters

Notes