Annett Renneberg Leaves “In All Friendship” After 9 Years

Leipzig – After nine years portraying Professor Dr. Maria Weber on the long-running ARD medical drama “In aller Freundschaft,” actress Annett Renneberg is departing the series as her character succumbs to an inoperable brain tumor. The storyline unfolded in episode 1125, which aired on Tuesday, revealing the devastating diagnosis following Weber’s experience with vision problems and memory lapses, according to reports from TAG24 and Joyn.

Renneberg confirmed the character’s fate on her Instagram account, stating, “This proves really serious. There will be no cure for Maria.” She urged fans to accompany Maria on her “last journey with a smiling and also a weeping eye,” as reported by Joyn.

The decision to complete Maria Weber’s storyline came after discussions with producers in early 2025, Renneberg revealed. Even as initially planning for a maximum four-year commitment to the series, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic altered her plans, making a stable role feel like a significant opportunity. “The time flew by and 9 years feel more like 5,” she stated, expressing gratitude for her time on the show.

Renneberg also reflected on her connection to the character, noting her strong identification with Maria Weber’s empathetic nature in the earlier seasons. However, she expressed some reservations about later plot developments, specifically what she described as the character being overburdened with the demands of a professorship, motherhood, and a chief physician position.

The production team acknowledged the significance of the departure, stating on Instagram that long-running series inevitably undergo “dynamic processes” that can affect even well-loved characters. They emphasized their commitment to portraying Weber’s farewell with emotional depth and consistency, according to Joyn.

The news has prompted a strong reaction from fans, particularly those who had hoped for a happier outcome for Dr. Weber and her relationship with Dr. Kai Hoffmann (Julian Weigend), as noted by T-Online.

Renneberg, in a statement reported by T-Online, described her time on the show as a “gift,” allowing her to develop and portray a complex character. She quoted a saying from her great-grandmother: “Bright days: don’t cry that they are over. Rather smile that they were.”

The departure of Annett Renneberg coincides with another cast change at “In aller Freundschaft,” with Dr. Roland Heilmann (Thomas Rühmann) welcoming a new daughter, as reported by T-Online.