Storm of Love

Storm of Love
Sturm der Liebe
Genre	Soap opera
Created by	Bea Schmidt
Written by	Claudia Köhler
Starring	Various
Theme music composer	Leslie Mandoki Laszlo Bencker
Opening theme	"Stay" by Curly
Country of origin	Germany
Original language	German
No. of seasons	20
No. of episodes	4275 (as of 7 June 2024) [1]
Production
Executive producer	Marcus Ammonn
Running time	50 minutes
Production company	Bavaria Film
Original release
Network	Das Erste
Release	26 September 2005 (2005-09-26) – present

Sturm der Liebe (pronounced [ˌʃtʊɐ̯m deːɐ̯ ˈliːbə], lit. "Storm of Love") is a German television soap opera created by Bea Schmidt for Das Erste. It premiered on 26 September 2005. It airs 50-minute episodes on weekdays (Monday through Friday) at 15:10.

Plot[edit]

The series takes place mainly in the fictional five-star hotel called the Hotel Fürstenhof and the fictional village in which it is located, Bichelheim. Bichelheim is located in the fictional district Bichelheim-Krauting, which is located in Bavaria. The protagonists, known as the Dream Couple, are the main focus of each season. However, storylines also revolve around the many trials, tribulations and love affairs of the village residents, mainly the hotel employees and the owners of the hotel, the Saalfeld family.

Seasons (1-19)[edit]

Note: This summaries only focuses on the plot of the protagonists.

Season 1: Laura Mahler and Alexander Saalfeld[edit]

Pastry chef Laura Mahler meets the handsome heir to the Fürstenhof Hotel, Alexander Saalfeld, in Munich. The pair spend a magical day together and Laura believes she will never see him again. However, when she gets hired at the Fürstenhof she meets Alexander again. The pair fall madly in love. However, it is revealed that they are actually brother and sister! Alexander's father, Werner Saalfeld, is also Laura's father. Their relationship is now forbidden. Laura begins a relationship with Dr. Gregor Bergmeister and Aexander reunites with his ex-fiancee Katherina Klinker-Emden. Alexander is still in love with Laura, but marries Katherina, hoping it will finally help him move on. Unbeknownst to Laura and Alexander, Werner has discovered that Alfons Sonnbichler is Alexander's biological father, which means they are not siblings after all. Laura becomes engaged to Gregor, but then sleeps with Alexander. Laura is horrified to find out she is pregnant since the baby might be the product of incest. Eventually, the truth about Alexander's paternity comes out. Laura leaves Gregor for Alexander and they become engaged. Laura is kidnapped by Alexander's psychotic ex, Helen Marinelli, on their wedding day. Thankfully, she is rescued by Alexander. The pair are finally married and leave to start a new life in Brussels. A few months later their daughter is born and named Hannah. They later have a son named Peter.

Season 2: Miriam von Heidenberg and Robert Saalfeld[edit]

Alexander's younger brother Robert is the head chef of the Fürstenhof. One day, he meets the beautiful Miriam von Heidenberg in the forest while she is riding a horse and immediately falls in love with her. He is later shocked to find out Miriam is in a wheelchair, but he soon realises that it does not matter. Miriam was deeply affected by her death of her father, Wolfgang, and is under the tight control of stepmother, Barbara. She and Robert begin a beautiful romance and become engaged. With Robert's love and support. Miriam becomes able to walk again. Barbara is determined to destroy Robert and Miriam's happiness, because if Miriam marries before her 25th birthday she inherits Wolfgang's estate, but if she does not, Barbara inherits it. Miriam is close with her childhood friend Felix Tarrasch, which Robert is not happy about. Eventually, Robert and Miriam separate and Miriam starts a relationship with Felix. To get her inheritance, Felix and Miriam elope. Miriam cannot deny her feelings for Robert and leaves Felix to reunite with him. Barbara confesses that she murdered Miriam's father and tries to kill Miriam, Robert and Werner. Luckily, they are able to save themselves and Barbara (supposedly) dies. Since she is still married Felix, Miriam and Robert have a symbolic wedding. Afterwards the move to Paris, where Robert will work as a chef in his own restaurant and Miriam will be a perfumer. Some time later, Miriam's divorce from Felix becomes final and she and Robert marry.

Season 3: Samia Obote and Gregor Bergmeister[edit]

Samia Obote traveled illegally to Germany from Uganda to hide from her domineering father, Joshua, who wants to force her into an arranged marriage. She finds refuge at the Fürstenhof, where she finds work and makes friends. She dates Felix Tarrasch for some time before she falls in love with her friend, Dr. Gregor Bergmeister. Gregor is happily in a relationship with Leonie Preisinger and is oblivious to Samia's feelings for him. Gregor and Leonie's relationship ends when she has an affair with Marc Kohlweyer. Gregor finally realises he is in love with Samia. Gregor stops Samia from going back to Uganda with her father by declaring his love for her and they start a relationship. Joshua is not happy about Gregor and Samia's relationship and is determined to put a stop to it. Joshua is killed by Fiona Marquardt, but suspicion falls on Gregor, which tears him and Samia apart. Gregor begins dating the investigating detective, Jana Schneider. Samia enters into a liaison with André Konopka's son, Simon and they become engaged. Jana becomes pregnant, but suffers a miscarriage. Gregor and Jana later split up. On the day of her wedding to Simon, Samia can no longer deny her feelings for Gregor and calls off the wedding. Samia and Gregor reunite and exchange vows in a romantic ceremony on board a steamer. Afterwards, they set off for a new life in Tanzania.

Season 4: Emma Strobl and Felix Saalfeld[edit]

Felix discovers his biological parents are Johann Gruber and Elisabeth Saalfeld, making him part of the wealthy Saalfeld family. Emma Strobl, chambermaid at the Fürstenhof, falls in love with Felix, who now uses the surname Saalfeld. However, Felix falls in love with Emma's scheming half-sister, Rosalie Engel. Rosalie is interested in the Saalfeld money, so she is happy to be with Felix and is determined to not let anything go wrong between them. It takes Felix months to understand that Rosalie is just taking advantage of him, and he also starts to develop feelings for Emma. In the meantime, Emma enters into a relationship with Ben Sponheim. Ben's biological mother is Barbara von Heidenberg, who was presumed dead, but now has returned to Bichelheim seeking revenge against Werner Saalfeld. Barbara drives Werner crazy with a poison that will make him forgetful. When she is exposed by Emma, she locks her and Felix in a power plant, where the two confess their love to each other. They are rescued and separate from their partners. While Ben accepts that he can't keep Emma, but Rosalie fakes a pregnancy to hold onto Felix. Initially, Felix wants to marry Rosalie to be a responsible father, but then realises he cannot leave Emma. Ben eventually reveals Rosalie is faking her pregnancy. Felix and Emma have a beautiful wedding in Austria. In the hustle and bustle of the wedding, Rosalie manages to get into a car with Emma and wants to kill Emma and herself. Despite all of Rosalie's misdeeds, Emma finds loving words for her sister and Rosalie abandons her plan. Emma and Felix leave for Canada, where they can be close to Johann. The following winter, Felix and Emma, who is now pregnant, pay a short visit to the royal court to see Rosalie, who has fallen into a coma. Back in Canada, Emma gives birth to their twin sons, Max and Moritz.

Season 5: Sandra Ostermeyer and Lukas Zastrow[edit]

A shocking Saalfeld family secret comes to light: on the orders of Ludwig Saalfeld Dr. Korbinian Niederbühl swapped Ludwig's newborn daughter, Charlotte, who had a heart defect, with Cosima Hofer, the daughter of Ernst and Luise Hofer. Cosima's son Lukas Zastrow comes to Bichelheim and is appointed managing director of the Fürstenhof. Lukas meets his former classmate Annika Bruckner, who has transformed from an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan. Lukas is enchanted by Annika. It takes Lukas a lot of effort to convince Annika of the sincerity of his feelings, but eventually she gives in and starts a relationship with Lukas. One day, Lukas is arguing with Cosima in the car and accidently hits Annika on her bike. Annika tragically dies of a cerebral hemorrage and her organs are donated. Her heart is donated to Sandra Ostermeyer, who was dying of heart failure. Lukas meets Sandra, who is immediately drawn to him.

Lukas is devastated by the loss of the love of his life. Sandra begins her rehabilitation at the Fürstenhof at the invitation of Werner Saalfeld, an old acquaintance of her mother, Astrid. It is later revealed Sandra is Werner's daughter. In his grief, Lukas finds it too difficult to be around Sandra. The pair grow closer, but Lukas still just wants to be friends and instead starts dating Rosalie Engel. There is a war brewing between Cosima and the Saalfelds, which Sandra and Lukas both get caught up in. Cosima wants to keep Lukas away from Sandra and pushes him to marry Rosalie since she has shares in the Fürstenhof. Lukas goes through with marrying Rosalie. Lukas cannot deny his love for Sandra and leaves Rosalie to be with her. Rosalie agrees to give Lukas a divorce, but Cosima is determined to get Rosalie's shares and tries to have her killed. Rosalie survives and goes into a coma. Lukas is accused of Rosalie's attempted murder, but Cosima gives him an alibi. Cosima blackmails Sandra that she will retract Lukas's alibi if she does not end her relationship with him. Sandra finds out she is pregnant, which is risky because of heart transplant. She sadly has a miscarriage. After countless lies, schemes and manipulations, Cosima's dies. Cosima asks for Lukas's forgiveness with her dying breath and Lukas forgives his mother. Sandra and Lukas get married in an emotional ceremony. They leave Bichelheim to move to the Giant Mountains in the Czech Republic to convert an old monastery into an eco-hotel. The two later adopt a little girl named Anna.

Season 6: Eva Krendlinger and Robert Saalfeld[edit]

Robert comes to Bichelheim for a brief visit, while a pregnant Miriam stays behind in Paris. Robert gets a call that Miriam is in labor and rushes to be by her side. Tragedy strikes when Miriam dies after giving birth to their daughter Valentina. Without the love of his life, Robert loses all meaning in life and rejects his daughter. Eva Krendlinger becomes Valentina's nanny and helps Robert bond with his daughter. Eva falls in love with Robert, but he is not ready for a relationship.

Barbara von Heidenberg, Miriam's evil stepmother, wants Valentina's inheritance. Barbara proves Robert to be an unfit father, because of his initial rejection of Valentina and she is taken by social services. Barbara hires Alain Briand to pretend to be Miriam's former lover and to claim he is actually Valentina's father. Eva continues to work as Valentina's nanny to protect her from Alain. Valentina is thankfully reunited with Robert. Eva finally conquers Robert's heart and the two declare their love for each other on a trip to Verona. However, Robert realises he is not over Miriam and has doubts if he can really be with Eva. When Eva tells Robert she is pregnant, he is scared he will lose her the same way he lost Miriam, but Eva later has a miscarriage. Eva is shocked to see her ex-boyfriend, Markus Zastrow, who had been presumed dead years ago. Eva and Robert's relationship falls apart. Eva reunites with Markus, but later finds out she is pregnant again by Robert. Robert realises he and Eva belong together and wants to be with her and their child. Eva suffers another miscarriage and decides she is done with Robert for good. Eva gets engaged to Markus. However, Eva's heart tells that she belongs with Robert and she ends her relationship with Markus to reunite with him. Eva happily accepts Robert's marriage proposal. Barbara rigs the Fürstenhof with a bomb on Eva and Robert's wedding day. The bomb denotes after the ceremony, but thankfully everyone survives. Eva, Robert and Valentina move to Verona, where Robert will run his own restaurant and Eva will achieve her dream of being a children's book author.

Season 18: Josie Klee and Paul Lindbergh[edit]

Scatter-brained but lovable Josefina ″Josie″ Klee comes to Bichelheim to apply for a job as a chef in the Fürstenhof kitchen. Josie grew up in Hanau with her maternal grandmother. Her mother was gone a lot and she never met her father. Josie hopes to work alongside André Knopka, who she greatly admires. However, Josie is a vegetarian chef and André is reluctant to take her on, but she wins him over. Paul Lindbergh has been down on his luck: his business failed, his girlfreind left him and his daughter, Luna, has moved to Lisbon with her mother and stepfather. Needing to move on from his misfortune, Paul decides to return to Bichelheim to work as managing director at the Fürstenhof. On his way to the hotel, Paul sees Josie, who is looking for her glasses on the ground. He finds the glasses and when Josie puts them on, she instantly falls in love with Paul. From then on, Josie is flustered every time she is around Paul, causing some awkward situations. Paul is oblivious to Josie's feelings for him and starts a casual relationship with Constanze von Thalheim. Josie's mother, Yvonne, comes to Bichelheim and informs Josie that the hotel's PR manager Erik Vogt, who she has not gotten along with, is her biological father. Josie and Erik decide to get to know each other and try to form a relationship. Paul is shocked when he finds out Josie is in love with him when she mutters it in her sleep. There is a worker's strike at the Fürstenhof and when Paul sees Josie giving a passionate speech, he suddenly sees her differently and falls in love with her. However, by then he and Constanze have become more serious with each other and Paul decides to keep his feelings quiet.

Josie wants to move on from Paul, but then he finally declares his love for her. He plans to break up with Constanze, but she has a car accident and he feels he cannot leave her. Paul and Josie start seeing each other in secret. Paul feels that with Josie for the first time since the death of his first wife, Romy, he can finally move on. Constanze finds out about their affair and swears revenge. Paul eventually does break up with Constanze to be with Josie. Josie finds Paul in bed with a woman named Tatjana (this was all staged by Constanze who had Tatjana drug Paul and put him in her bed). Josie ends things with Paul despite his protests of innocence. Paul begins seeing Constanze again and Josie starts dating Leon Thorman. Paul agrees to move to London with Constanze. Josie is devastated when she finds out a man named Ricky Müller is actually her biological father and not Erik. Paul comforts her and they almost kiss, making Paul realise he still loves her and cannot leave with Constanze. During an argument, Constanze confesses about her scheme with Tatjana. Paul is furious, but still makes peace with Constanze before she leaves town. When Josie learns the truth about what happened with Tatjana, she makes it clear to Paul she is happy with Leon and it changes nothing for her. Paul decides he will not try to ruin Leon and Josie's relationship, but he will not deny his feelings for her either. Leon proposes to Josie, but in that moment Josie realises she loves Paul and wants to be with him. Paul and Josie share a romantic reunion. Paul proposes to Josie and she accepts. After a series of mishaps, they get married in a small ceremony with family and friends. Paul takes Josie's surname and Erik also officially adopts Josie. Josie gets a job in Lisbon, which Paul is thrilled about since he can be close to his daughter. The pair leave Bichelheim for their new beginning.

Season 19: Eleni Schwarzbach and Leander Saalfeld[edit]

Eleni Schwarzbach comes to Bichelheim to see her parents Markus and Alexandra, the new majority shareholders of the Fürstenhof. Dr. Peter ″Leander″ Saalfeld, son of Laura and Alexander, comes to Bichlheim to take up a position as an assistant doctor. During an argument between Markus and Christoph Saalfeld, Eleni falls down the stairs and goes into a coma. Alexandra confesses to Christoph that he is actually Eleni's father. Leander walks into Eleni's hospital room and immediately falls in love with her. Eleni wakes up from her coma and also feels drawn to Leander. The pair fall head-over-heels in love. Vroni, Eleni's younger sister, comes for a visit and is involved in a motorcycle accident. Leander performs an emergency operation on Vroni, but unfortunately Vroni does not survive. Alexandra and Markus Schwarzbach file a civil lawsuit against Leander, because they believe he botched the operation. The strain of these events tear Eleni and Leander apart. Eleni meets Julian Specht, a chauffeur at the Fürstenhof, and they start dating. Eventually, Alexandra and Markus drop the lawsuit, but Alexandra refuses to forgive him. Leander declares his love for Eleni, but she makes it clear she is happy with Julian.

Eleni has grown closer to Christoph since learning of her paternity, but tells Markus he will always be her father. Markus has to have an operation because of abnormalities in his brain. Leander successfully performs the operation on Markus. Alexandra apologizes to Leander for everything and they agree to move on. Eleni and Leander realise they still love each other and want to be a couple again. Eleni plans to break up with Julian, but then discovers that she is pregnant. Leander tells Eleni he will love the child as his own, but Eleni does not want her child torn between two fathers like she is and decides to stay with Julian. Julian proposes to Eleni and she accepts. Unfortunately, Eleni has a miscarriage. Leander accepts a job in Tanzania to overcome his heartbreak. Upon learning that Leander is leaving, Eleni realises they belong together and rushes to stop him. The pair happily reunite and Eleni ends her engagement to Julian. Eleni accepts Leander's marriage proposal and they agree to move to Tanzania together. They marry in front of family and friends. Afterwards, they leave Bichelheim. A little while later, Eleni calls her mother and informs her she is pregnant.

Current Season (Season 20)[edit]

Note: This summary only focuses on the plot of the protagonists.

The focus of the current season is the love triangle between Ana Alves and her two dream men, Philipp Brandes and Dr. Vincent Ritter. Ana, Philipp and Vincent all have connections to the Schwarzbach family - Ana's mother worked as the family's housekeeper, Philipp is Noah's best friend and Vincent is Markus' illegitimate son. Free-spirited Ana has left the university and is now looking for her true calling in Bichlheim. Warm-hearted and intelligent veterinarian Vincent comes to Bichlheim to further his career and ends up meeting his biological father. The cunning, clever and always well-dressed Philipp comes to Bichlheim determined to get what he believes he deserves: the inheritance from his great-aunt Wilma von Zweigen. Despite their differences, Vincent and Philipp have two big things in common. First, they both had difficult childhoods, with single mothers, not much money, and fathers who had no interest in them. Second is Ana, who will become the love of both of their lives. The question is: who will Ana choose?

Ana arrives in Bichlheim and settles in the Sonnbichlers' house to spend part of her semester break with her mother Nicole. She doesn't initially mention that she recently stopped studying mechanical engineering and brought her beloved stallion Apollo with her so that a famous animal healer could examine him. She is thrilled to see Philipp, her childhood friend, in Bichlheim. Ana has always been in love with Philipp and her feelings are rekindled when she sees him again, but Philipp only sees Ana as a friend. Philipp would like to use the Hotel Fürstenhof as permanent accommodation for his sick great-aunt Wilma. Markus also gives Philipp a job in the hotel. Vincent comes to the village to manage the local veterinary practice and the Hotel Fürstenhof also hires him as a veterinarian for the stud farm. Vincent immediately falls in love with Ana, but she takes no notice. Vincent gives Markus the shock of his life when he reveals himself to be his biological son. Markus had known that Vincent's mother was pregnant with him, but did not want to ruin his marriage by revealing his illegitimate child.

Ana is head-over-heels in love with Philipp and hopes to finally be with him. Vincent secretly longs for Ana and doesn't understand what she sees in Philipp, whom he considers to be mean and snobby. Ana impulsively kisses Philipp, which Vincent witnesses. Philipp tells Ana that the kiss had no meaning for him. Philipp tries with all his might to convince his great-aunt Wilma to leave him her estate, but she makes it clear that he will not be included in her will. Wilma becomes very fond of Ana and hires her as her personal companion. Wilma notices Vincent's feelings for Ana and encourages him to pursue her.

Vincent wears Philipp's discarded costume to a masquerade ball, where Ana mistakes him for Philipp and they have a magical dance, but when Vincent realizes that she thinks he is Philipp, he runs away. Ana is shocked when she later learns the identity of her dance partner and now has to realize her undeniable connection to Vincent. Philipp begins a relationship with Ana to please his aunt, while at the same time having an affair with Zoe de Lavalle, a hotel guest from French nobility. Vincent suspects that Philipp is just using Ana. Ana doubts Philipp's feelings for her and breaks up with him.

Philipp wants Vincent out of the way and reports him anonymously for treating some farm animals with expired medication (Vincent had told Ana about it, who in turn told Philipp). With his veterinary license temporarily revoked, Vincent operates on Apollo's back, risking his entire career. Luckily, Vincent is cleared of any wrongdoing. Ana is grateful to Vincent for everything he has done and realizes that she has fallen in love with him.

Wilma sadly dies, leaving Ana devastated. Philipp is furious when he learns that Wilma not only left him out of her will, but also left most of her fortune to Ana. Philipp decides that there is only one way to get the inheritance: he has to marry Ana! His plan is to break up Ana and Vincent, marry Ana, make her look crazy so he can put her in a mental hospital and take control of her estate. Ana and Vincent enjoy their love while Philipp is determined to destroy their relationship. Philipp brings Vincent's secret wife, Natalie Junghans, to the village to help him with his plan (Vincent had spontaneously married Natalie in Las Vegas years before). With some clever manipulations, Philipp finally manages to separate Ana and Vincent.

A turning point for Philipp comes when Ana saves his life after he accidentally falls off a cliff. Philipp realizes that he is truly in love with Ana and no longer wants her inheritance. Meanwhile, Natalie discovers her feelings for Vincent, but Vincent realizes that Ana is the love of his life and asks her to give him another chance. Ana turns Vincent down and starts a new relationship with Philipp. Vincent meanwhile starts a casual relationship with Natalie, who secretly hopes for more.

Ana is stunned when she learns that Wilma has left her most of her estate and she is now a wealthy woman. Vincent immediately suspects that Philipp knew about the inheritance all along and that is his only reason for being with Ana. Philipp turns the tables and has Natalie lie to Ana that it was Vincent who knew about the inheritance all along.

Protagonists[edit]

List of protagonists[edit]

Current protagonists[edit]

Ana Alves[edit]

Free-spirited Ana Alves has a passion for nature, loves her beloved stallion Apollo and is always up for an adventure. Ana dropped out of her mechanical engineering studies and is now looking for her true calling in Bichlheim. She is close with the Schwarzbach family, because her mother, Nicole, was their housekeeper. She fell in love with her good friend, Philipp Brandes, when they were kids. Philipp also comes to Bichelheim and she falls in love with him all over again, but Philipp has only ever seen Ana as a friend. Ana meets Vincent Ritter and soon develops a connection with him. Both men start vying for Ana's affections. Ana has two candidates for her heart, but who will she choose?

Philipp Brandes[edit]

The cunning, clever and always well-dressed Philipp Brandes is one of the candidates for Ana's heart. Ana has been in love with Philipp since they were kids, but he is far from the kind-hearted Prince Charming that Ana believes he is. Philipp grew up with little money and an absent father, but his luck changed when he became best friends with wealthy Noah Schwarzbach. He was accepted into the Schwarzbach family and found a father figure in Noah's father Markus. Philipp comes to the “Fürstenhof” to seemingly selflessly look for accommodation for his great-aunt Wilma von Zweigen, but in reality he is only interested in receiving an inheritance from her. Philipp doesn't return Ana's feelings, but starts a relationship with her to pave his way to big money. Philipp has no shame in using Ana for his own purposes, but then he suddenly falls in love with her.

Dr. Vincent Ritter[edit]

Warm-hearted and intelligent Dr. Vincent Ritter is the other candidate for Ana's heart. Vincent comes to Bichlheim to work as a veterinarian and he meets his biological father – Markus Schwarzbach. Vincent falls in love with Ana at first sight, but she only has eyes for Philipp. In contrast to Philipp, Vincent is a real Prince Charming and has sincere feelings for Ana, who shares his love of animals and adventure. Vincent hopes that he can win Ana over, but Philipp won't make it easy.

Characters[edit]

Current main characters[edit]

Alexandra Schwarzbach (née Bamberg) comes to take over the Hotel Fürstenhof from the Saalfelds. She and her husband Markus become the new majority shareholders through their AG. Alexandra was Christoph Saalfeld's first love and they had even been engaged, but he left her for his first wife, Xenia. Alexandra later married Markus and their marriage produced three children - Eleni, Vroni and Noah. It is soon revealed that Eleni is actually Christoph's daughter. Christoph wants another chance with Alexandra and the old lovers begin an affair. When Alexandra wants to leave Markus for Christoph, he blackmails to stay with him by telling her he knows that she bought her state exam and is therefore not actually a lawyer. Alexandra helps Markus get out of prison when he is accused of financial crimes and he agrees to give her a divorce. Christoph and Alexandra can finally be together. Tragedy strikes when her daughter Vroni dies after a motorcycle accident. Alexandra and Markus blame Eleni's boyfriend Dr. Leander Saalfeld for Vroni's death due to an error he allegedly made and seeks revenge on him. Evetually, Alexandra accepts Leander is not at fault and makes peace with him. Alexandra is severely burned in a kitchen accident and is horrified by the scar on her neck causing her to push Christoph away. Christoph cheats on Alexandra with their friend, Yvonne Klee, and Alexandra dumps him. Alexandra then starts seeing a much younger Tom Dammann.

Alfons and Hildegard (née Hansen) Sonnbichler are the flagship couple and have been employees of the Fürstenhof for decades; she as a sous chef, and he as the very capable concierge. Their daughter is Marie Sonnbichler, who lives in London with her family. Alfons and Hildegard are extremely loyal to the Saalfelds and enjoy a special relationship of mutual trust with them. Alfons had a relationship as a teenager with Charlotte Saalfeld, and they had a child together, Alexander, who was raised by Werner. Alfons also has a daughter, Melli Morgenstern, with his former girlfriend, Gerti Schönfeld. Hildegard is involved in the local city council and was a candidate for mayor. The pair are known for their perfect marriage and generosity; they often up their home to newcomers to Bichelheim.

Christoph Saalfeld is the son of Charlotte Saalfeld's estranged brother Gottfried. He is one of the shareholders of the Fürstenhof and the owner of Top Comfort, a hotel chain with branches worldwide. Christoph's first love was Alexandra Bamberg (later Schwarzbach) and they had even been engaged, but he left her for his first wife, Xenia. Xenia came from a wealthy family and could further Christoph's career aspirations. He raised his children Viktor, Boris, Annabelle and Denise by himself after he and Xenia divorced. Unlike the rest of the Saalfelds, he grew up poor due to Gottfried's gambling addiction. Christoph fought his way to the top with an iron will. He can appear charming and engaging as well as dominant and threatening. He comes to Bichlheim to make the Fürstenhof his family seat, as he sees himself as the only legitimate successor to his grandfather Ludwig Saalfeld since he is a biological Saalfeld unlike Charlotte and Robert. He has been married to Xenia (twice) and Alicia Lindbergh. His most memorable times in Bichelhem include a love triangle between himself, his son Viktor and Alicia, his affairs with Alexandra Schwarzbach and Eva Saalfeld, meeting his previously unknown children Eleni and Tim, the revelation that he was molested as a child (which resulted in him rejecting his son Boris for being gay), being framed by Xenia for the attempted murder of Boris's boyfriend Tobias Ehrlinger, Ariane Kalenberg's revenge on him and constant power struggles over control of the Fürstenhof.

Erik Klee (née Vogt) is the current restaurant manager at the Fürstenhof. When he first arrives at the Fürstenhof, he takes up the position as PR manager. Erik learns that he belongs to the Saalfeld family (his father was an illegitimate child of Ludwig Saalfeld), which means that he and his younger brother Florian are entitled to land rights. He sets his sights on the scheming Ariane Kalenberg and quickly becomes her lover and accomplice. He helps Ariane with numerous intrigues against the Saalfelds. Erik's complicity in a financial scandal comes to light, which four years earlier had led to Cornelius von Thalheim being framed for the scandal and having to go on the lam. Erik loses everything after being convicted for his crimes, but slowly builds trust again with the Saalfelds. Erik is shocked when he learns he is the father of Yvonne Klee's daughter Josie. It is revealed that he is not Josie's father, but they remain close and Josie allows Erik to adopt her. He is currently married to Yvonne.

Markus Schwarzbach is a successful businessman, who built his company, Schwarzbach AG, with his wife Alexandra, with whom he shares three children, Eleni, Vroni and Noah. Markus is Christoph Saalfeld's old friend from university and he arrives in Bichelheim to take over the Saalfeld family's hotel, the Fürstenhof. The Schwarzbach marriage falls into a serious crisis due to Alexandra's affair with Christoph. Markus refuses to let Alexandra leave him for Christoph and blackmails her with his knowledge that she bought her state exam and is therefore not actually a lawyer. As revenge, Christoph ensures that the falsification of balance sheets at Schwarzbach AG is exposed and Markus is imprisoned. Alexandra helps Markus get released and he reluctantly accepts her relationship with Christoph. The Schwarzbachs are severely shaken when youngest daughter Vroni dies shortly after a motorcycle accident. Alexandra and Markus quickly pinpoint Eleni's boyfriend Dr. Leander Saalfeld as being responsible for her death due to an alleged medical error and they want him held accountable. Eventually, the Schwarzbachs make their peace with Leander, who later marries Eleni. Markus decides he wants to sell the Fürstenhof from underneath the Saalfelds for a huge profit. Markus falls in love with Christoph's distant cousin Katja Saalfeld, but their relationship is complicated by Markus's determination to destroy the reputation of her family's hotel.

Dr. Michael Niederbühl runs the local medical practice. He comes to the Bichelheim to take over the practice from Evelyn Konopka. Many years ago, his father, Korbinian, was the unwitting accomplice of Ludwig Saalfeld when he swapped infants Charlotte Saalfeld and Cosima Hofer. Michael falls in love with Charlotte and plans to marry her. Charlotte ends her relationship with Michael when she learns he has a son Fabien with Tanja Liebertz, the product of a one-night stand. Michael also has a daughter, Debbie Williams, from a previous relationship with an American woman. Michael's best friends are Robert Saalfeld and André Konopka. He was married to his great love Natascha Schweitzer and had a fake marriage to André. Particularly memorable about Michael's life in Bichlheim are his many flings and love affairs with various women, including Poppy Saalfeld, Xenia Saalfeld, Marlene Schweitzer, Rosalie Engel and Carolin Lamprecht. He was also temporarily blinded, had an addiction to pills and adopted a baby he found in the forest, who turned out to be Luna Bronckhorst (daughter of Jessica Bronckhorst and Paul Lindbergh). Michael is currently in a relationship with Nicole Alves.

Werner Saalfeld (née Heinz-Werner Konopka) escaped the GDR to give himself a better life. He married wealthy Charlotte Saalfeld, heiress to the Fürstenhof Hotel, and took her surname. For many years he served as the director of the 5-star hotel and helped her keep the hotel successful. He and Charlotte raised two sons, Robert and Alexander. A womanizer, Werner cheated on Charlotte over and over again, which led to several illegitimate children and finally a divorce from Charlotte after 36 years of marriage. After almost 40 years of estrangement, he finally reconciled with his younger brother André, and hired him as a cook at the Fürstenhof. He is the biological father of Robert, Laura, Sandra, Moritz, Konstantin, William and the adoptive father of Alexander. He was married to Charlotte (twice), Barbara von Heidenberg (twice), Doris van Norden and Poppy Schweitzer.

Yvonne Klee is the bar manager at the Fürstenhof. She arrives in Bichelheim to visit her daughter, Josie. Yvonne was a young mother, who was unable to cope with raising a child by herself so she left Josie in the care of her late mother. Yvonne and Josie have a complicated relationship because of this, but Yvonne hopes she can make up for lost time. She runs into her ex-boyfriend Erik Vogt and reveals he is Josie's father, although this later proves not to be true. Yvonne starts dating Christoph Saalfeld, but it does not last since he is not interested in a serious relationship. Erik and Yvonne fall in love again. Yvonne is diagnosed with breast cancer, but thankfully recovers after receiving treatment. Yvonne and Erik become engaged, however shortly before their wedding Yvonne sleeps with Christoph. The truth comes out after the wedding, but Erik forgives his wife.

Greta Bergmann- Head chef, cousin of Yvonne
Helene Richter- Housekeeper, mother of Max & Gerry, cousin of Michael
Katja Saalfeld- Sommelier, cousin of Charlotte
Lale Ceylan- Fitness trainer, cousin of Shirin, girlfriend of Theo
Nicole Alves- Owner of Liebling Café, mother of Ana, girlfriend of Michael
Theo Licht- Bellboy, boyfriend of Lale
Tom Dammann- Chauffeur, great-nephew of Hildegard, boyfriend of Alexandra

Current recurring characters[edit]

Antonia Wiener- Justice of the peace, often appears when there is a wedding
Günther Sonnbichler- Brother of Alfons, father of Vanessa
Natalie Junghans- Horse trainer, wife of Vincent
DI Siggi Meyser- Detective Inspector from the local police, often appears when there is a crime to investigate

Cast[edit]

Main cast[edit]

Recurring cast[edit]

Named extras[edit]

Former main cast members[edit]

Former recurring cast and guests[edit]

Celebrity guest performers[edit]

Background[edit]

The Bavaria TV Production GmbH (until 31 January 2007: Bavaria Film GmbH) produces the series since the summer of 2005 in the studios of Bavaria Film in Green Forest in Munich. Per day of shooting creates a complete sequence (Length 48 minutes, episode 111–150: 43 minutes). Storm of Love is produced digitally: The external rotation, the images stored directly to disk, the interior rotation is recorded on a deck. The cameras are all connected directly by cable to the cut. Since episode 447 the series in widescreen format 16:9 is broadcast. Chief author of the series Peter Süß is. ARD Degeto is responsible for editorial work, but also transfers it to the WDR and in part from the BR.

Originally as a telenovela created with 100 episodes,stormof love has been extended several times. Meanwhile, in 1270 episodes planned .^[14] This feature of the genre of the finiteness of a soap opera was cancelled trend. Since all the other features for the characterisation of a telenovela – and differentiation from other genres such as the soap opera – have been maintained despite the extensions, is still one of the telenovelas. Each main plot arc of the series is dubbed by a female lead and the voice over, a heritage from the original telenovela concept of an internal cohesion.

On 26 January 2010 was broadcast the episode 1000th The anniversary was telenovela script comes with a big party and fireworks to "250 years Fürstenhof implemented^[15] Following this episode was one of Sepp Schauer (Alfons Sonnbichler) and Judith Hildebrandt (Tanja Liebertz) moderated, 50 -minute "anniversary special storm of love – happiness and tears at the court." aired a special broadcast on ARD and ORF 2^[16][17]

With each new season, a new lead cast is assembled, which initiates the respective impacts and introduces the most important roles of the main season. Within the season of the lead cast is changed only slightly. Previous versions:

Outdoor locations[edit]

The exterior design for the fictional hotel "Fürstenhof" is a private castle in Upper Bavaria. The shooting is generally not accessible to the public.

On the site of Bavaria Film GmbH in Green Forest Geiselgasteig In addition, a villa in the Bavaria Film City (48°3′59″N 11°33′3″E / 48.06639°N 11.55083°E / 48.06639; 11.55083). Since March 2006, filmed for the renovated West Wing the prince's court. For this, the facade of the Villa man was used in 2000 as a backdrop for the historical drama The Manns - Novel of a Century was built. Modeled after the original gate was renovated and rebuilt. This setting is played from the inside. In difficult weather conditions during the winter months because of the proximity to the studio, shot mostly here.

Between the scenes of the soap opera landscape studies are recorded, which are adapted to the seasonal flow. The recordings are from the foothills of the Alps. Between these scenes alternate and separate the individual scenes in the plot.

In episode 1193 to 1195 have Robert Saalfeld (Lorenzo Patané), Eva Krendlinger (Uta Kargel), Hildegard Sonnbichler (Antje Hagen) and husband Alfonso (Sepp Schauer) three days in Verona, northern Italy spent. The German actor spoke in the scenes in German and their Italian colleagues Selene Gandini, Fabio Mazzari and Enrico Mutti responded in their language. In the latter post-production were dubbed.^[18]

Music[edit]

Each pair of protagonists in Storm of Love has a common love song that unites them.

• In the first season at Laura and Alexander, this was "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel.
• Alexander's rival with Laura Gregory had the song "Stand by Me" by Ben E. King.
• In the second season, which intensively studied with the love life of Robert and Miriam, was the song of the two "Your Song" by Elton John. During the season Miriam was married to Felix Tarrasch. Their common song was "Total Eclipse of the Heart" in the sung version of Glee.
• The love song from the third season with Greg and Samia was "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston, which is already on the soundtrack for the film The Bodyguard was used.
• The love story of Emma and Felix was accompanied with the song "Moon River" by Barbra Streisand.
• Sandra and Luke, the pair connects the fifth season, the song "Without You" by Harry Nilsson.
• The love song of the lovers Eva and Robert, "When You Say Nothing at All" by Ronan Keating.
• Theresa and Moritz: Billy Joel – "Honesty"
• Theresa and Konstantin: Billy Joel – "Just the Way You Are"
• Marlene and Konstantin: Elvis Presley – "Can't Help Falling in Love"
• Pauline and Leonard: Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra – "Summer Wine"
• Julia and Niklas: Debby Boone – "You Light Up My Life"
• Luisa and Sebastian: Elvis Presley – "Always on My Mind"
• Clara and Adrian: Robbie Williams – "Angels"
• Ella and William: Wet Wet Wet – "Love Is All Around"
• Rebecca and William: Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers
• Alicia and Viktor: With or Without You, both the original by U2 and the cover version by the choir Scala & Kolacny Brothers.
• Denise and Joshua: Eternal Flame, an in-house production was used.
• Denise and Henry: Perfect by Ed Sheeran
• Franzi and Tim: Right Here Waiting by Richard Marx
• Franzi and Steffen: Take My Breath Away from Berlin
• Maja and Florian: Stay by Hurts
• Josie and Paul: Run by Leona Lewis
• Josie and Leon: Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi
• Eleni and Leander: A Million Dreams by P!nk
• Eleni and Julian: Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez and Em Beihold
• Ana and Philipp: A Thousand Years by Christina Perri
• Ana and Vincent: Falling by Harry Styles

Directing[edit]

Always five episodes will be produced in a block of five days. On each block work two directors who is a responsible for studio shooting, the other for the parallel emerging field recording.

Audience share and audience reach[edit]

In the first six months, the market share steadily to over 20 percent at most about 3 million viewers. The target audience of 14- to 49-year-olds regularly reaches an audience of over 10 percent [28] But there were episodes with much longer range.

"Regularly seek the ARD Telenovela" Sturm der Liebe "market shares of more than 25 percent of the public for three years from – the place in the top 5 of the Public Service program is the production of the Bavaria Film therefore safe."

– Quote meters Some standard internal records [edit] 26 September 2005: Episode 1: It reached 1.04 million viewers, an audience rating of 10.3%. 3. April 2006: Episode 121: The audience rises to over 25%. 6. August 2007: Episode 432: The most successful and September 2009, following 3.03 million viewers, a market share of 32.0%. 1. February 2008: Episode 544: 3.21 million viewers with an audience share of 25.1%, 11.5% of the young target group 14. September 2009: Episode 914: The most successful result with 3.28 million viewers, a market share of 27.9% 26. January 2010: 1000 Episode: The anniversary saw 3.13 million viewers, which is a market share of 24.1%. The special storm of love – happiness and tears at the court saw 2.2 million viewers, market share 15.2%. The best value in its third season was 29.7 percent market share. 3.44 million viewers, the range record set in season two there were only 3.95 million viewers, the peak labelled .

Repetition and transmission blocks[edit]

The episodes are broadcast on a fixed channel position of the ARD. All third party programs repeat the series in the morning program on the following day. In addition, there is a repeat in the night. As part of the internet in the last episodes of ARD library will be available. For the curious, there are on the web site of the ARD a synopsis and a cast list for four weeks in advance. The hr-TV, the first episodes of the telenovela was repeated. But decided the third programs (according to own data) to repeat only new episodes, since storm of love alone is a trademark of ARD.

ORF has bought the serial rights and repeated the following morning on each ORF2.

Pocket folders[edit]

In January 2007, published monthly in the pocket guide series Publisher Cora storm of love. Here are written by Johanna Theden of the scripts be rejected novels. As the title pictures stills from the TV series are used.

As of July 2006 saw the storm of love – photo story. The first volume came as a photo book, the romantic love story of Laura and Alexander to be reprinted. The second edition was issued in August 2008, and showed the stars of the series in exciting scenes. Are complemented by background information on the novels series. The series is published once a year. The author remains anonymous.

Prizes and awards[edit]

• 2010: German TV Award 2010 in the category Best daily series.
• 2009: On Fantag Sepp Schauer received the Fan Award (from 50,000 votes) on the grounds of Bavaria.
• 2008: Premio Napoli Classic for Cultural and Martin Gruber Susan Hoecke as Victoria and Felix Tarrasch.
• 2007: Premio Napoli Cultural Classic for Lorenzo Patané as Robert Saalfeld.
• 2007: Smoke-free seal for storm of love because of the deliberate decision on smoking characters.

International broadcast[edit]

Storm of Love has been licensed to 20 stations worldwide, and rights to all episodes were given to RTVS (Slovakia), LTV1 (Latvia), TV 3 (Lithuania), TV3 (Estonia) and Rete 4 (Italy). Rete 4 broadcasts the series under the name Tempesta d'amore. Nova TV in Bulgaria has broadcast the series since the end of July 2009 under a title translating as "Winds of Love." VTM3 in Belgium broadcasts under the title Sturm der liebe. Polish channel TV Puls broadcasts it under the title Burza uczuć, Finnish channel Sub under the title Lemmen viemää, and Icelandic channel RÚV under the title Ástareldur (Fire of Love). In France, the series was broadcast from episode 1392 (season 7) since 2 April 2013 on France 2 with the name of "Le Tourbillon de l'Amour" and in Austria, the series was broadcast from episode 166 onwards since mid-July 2006 on ORF 2. A summary of episodes 1 to 165 was broadcast as a pilot.

Country	Channel
Germany	Das Erste
Slovakia	STV
Czech Republic	TV Barrandov
Latvia	LTV1
Lithuania	TV3
Estonia	TV3
Bulgaria	Nova TV / bTV
Italy	Rete 4
Belgium	VTM Gold / VTM3[19]
Poland	TV Puls
Finland	AVA
Iceland	RÚV
France	France 2 / France 4
Austria	ORF 2
Switzerland	SRF zwei
Albania	Vizion Plus
Canada	TLN (TV channel)

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Official website (in German)