Alexander Duda to leave ‘Die Rosenheim-Cops’ after 20 years

Alexander Duda Die Rosenheim-Cops ZDF German television Gert Achtziger

Alexander Duda, who has played Police Director Gert Achtziger in the ZDF crime series ‘Die Rosenheim-Cops’ since 2006, will leave the show after the current season. The 70-year-old actor stated that his departure was not entirely voluntary but was a ‘dramaturgical decision’ made by the production and ZDF.

Within the show's narrative, the character of Achtziger will be retired. Producers, including Marlies Moosauer, expressed that the departure is a significant moment for the ensemble and promised a ‘loving and dignified’ farewell episode. To mark the occasion, Duda’s real-life wife, Jutta Schmuttermaier, will appear in the series as the character’s wife.

While Duda expressed regret over leaving, noting he would have liked to continue for several more years, he mentioned that the character’s age in the context of being a civil servant made his exit difficult to argue against. The news has prompted strong reactions from fans on social media, many of whom expressed disappointment over the loss of a long-standing cast member.

Entities

Alexander Duda · Die Rosenheim-Cops · Gert Achtziger · Marlies Moosauer · ZDF

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Alexander Duda will leave the ZDF series ‘Die Rosenheim-Cops’ after 20 years.
[● 2 SOURCES] Duda proposed continuing the character as a retiree, but the concept was rejected by ZDF.
[● 2 SOURCES] The departure is due to a dramaturgical decision by ZDF and the production team.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The actor is 70 years old.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The actor will leave the series at the end of the current 26th season.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Duda has played the role of police chief Gert Achtziger since 2006.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The character Gert Achtziger is a civil servant subject to a retirement age of 67.