Natalia Avelon's debut on the iconic German TV series 'Traumschiff' turned out to be quite the adventure, especially with her rich experiences sailing various breathtaking locales. On December 26, the 44-year-old actress embarked on this new chapter alongside Florian Silbereisen, expressing her excitement about being part of such a beloved show.
"Experiencing 'Traumschiff' for the first time at 44 is quite surreal! It's like you dream about these things since childhood," Avelon shared during her interview. She compared the series to a cultural phenomenon, one she grew up watching.
While the stunning vistas of Iceland, Norway, and even New York captured the charm of the filming locations, it wasn't all smooth sailing. Avelon confessed to suffering from seasickness during the shoot, which she described as "not so pleasant". She humorously recounted, "When you're out at sea for days on end and land is nowhere to be seen, it feels incredibly helpless." But with medical assistance, she quickly moved past this hurdle and got back to filming.
The filming itinerary was certainly special, steering away from the usual tropical routes to discover the majestic landscapes of the North. Avelon described the White Nights phenomenon, where it never really gets dark. "I can't even express how beautiful and mystical nature is there; it was breathtaking!" she emphasized, recalling late nights spent on deck, dancing under the rapidly cycling sun on the horizon.
Discussing her colleagues, she acknowledged the talented ensemble cast and highlighted her on-screen family, noting, "Everyone is incredibly skilled, making it so enjoyable to perform alongside them." Avelon expressed special admiration for actress Alissa Lazar and her film father, Peter Kremer.
Nonetheless, it was the legendary Helene Fischer's visit aboard the ship which added even more excitement to the experience. "She partied with us too!" Avelon laughed, appreciating the festive atmosphere created among the cast and crew.
Avelon’s character grapples with the balancing act of career versus family, bringing depth to the role. "While I don't have children, I can relate to the struggle of choosing between my job and my partner when they can't accept my career," she reflected, emphasizing the importance of following one's passion and not letting anyone dim those ambitions.
With such positive experiences on set, Avelon's enthusiasm for potentially returning to 'Traumschiff' was palpable—"Absolutely! Everyone who has been part of this knows how unique this time is. Everyone I've talked to speaks highly about working on 'Traumschiff.'" Her character, the daughter of the shipping company’s owner, remains open for possible future appearances with intriguing plot developments.
The shoot also had its lighter moments, especially during Avelon’s romantic scene with Sönke Möhring. "He is such a gentleman. We had so much fun," she said, recalling how the winter winds caused her hair to interfere with the intimate moment. "It was extremely windy, and my hair kept sticking to my mouth and blocking my face! Believe it or not, they had to change the ship's course because of my hair!"
Avelon found it surreal when the ships’ course had to be adjusted for her hair situation, saying, "I can't believe we changed course for some wild strands!" The actress chuckled at how absurd yet memorable this incident was, encapsulating her enchanting experience on board.