In conversation – actor Michael Lott on the series "SOKO Potsdam"

Michael Lott is 57 years old and lives in Hamburg. Since 2018, he has played Detective Chief Inspector Bernhard Henschel in the Potsdam Special Investigation Unit (SOKO Potsdam). The fourth season of the ZDF crime series started in September.

Mr. Lott, you've been filming regularly for SOKO Potsdam in Brandenburg's state capital for three years now. How does it feel for you to work in this film city?

The simple answer is "good." Many years ago, when I first filmed in Babelsberg, I was surprised by how close Berlin and Potsdam are. Potsdam has become a second home for me. This is primarily due to the people in the city, whom I find much friendlier and more open than in Berlin, but of course, the surrounding area in Brandenburg is also fantastic. Here, I constantly discover new and beautiful spots by bike and enjoy the unspoiled nature, which gives me energy for my work in front of the camera.

The SOKO headquarters is located right on the tranquil Weberplatz in Babelsberg. Do you ever have a chance to explore the neighborhood during breaks in filming?

Of course, we regularly perform in the neighborhood around the town hall, and I've enjoyed many a coffee, ice cream, and kebab there. A highlight is definitely the beautiful Thalia Cinema in Babelsberg.

Do you have a favorite spot in Potsdam?

Yes, definitely the Heilige See: a jogging track and swimming area in one, right in the middle of the city. It doesn't get any better than that.

The new season started in September. What makes this season special for you? Which outdoor locations were used for filming?

The new season is simply fantastic. And I think it's our best yet. With Anja Pahl and Skandal Amini, I have two new colleagues I couldn't have wished for better: one is a true Berlin original with a big heart, the other a young, inquisitive colleague who is simply inspiring. We filmed this season all over the city and on the water. You should definitely check it out and discover the filming locations around the city.

As an actor, how do you perceive the atmosphere in the city – can you tell that you are in a film city and that the people of Potsdam are used to film shoots?

Many people in the city are happy when we film in their area and assure us they watch the series regularly. That makes us very happy, of course.

What would you recommend to a visitor to Potsdam – which place should they visit to experience the city's film culture?

Definitely the media city of Babelsberg! And of course, the rest of the city too. Where do I even begin in this beautiful city, and where do I end?! I'll give it a try: exploring the lakes around Potsdam on foot and by bike. And then, of course, going for a swim or taking a boat trip on the Havel lakes.
You absolutely have to make time for the city. To discover all the beauty in Potsdam and Babelsberg. The four years I've already worked here aren't enough for me.

My advice: The leadership Babelsberg – Film stars, villas, world history This gives you an insight into the Potsdam villa colony of Neu-Babelsberg. Wealthy industrialists and bankers lived here, as well as film stars like Brigitte Horney and Marika Rökk. Mies van der Rohe built one of his first houses in the district, and Erich Kästner found refuge here during the Nazi era. During the Potsdam Conference in 1945, US President Truman, among others, resided in Babelsberg and made world-changing decisions.