Every child is asked what they want to be when they grow up. But rarely do our passions from childhood last until we mature and then also come to fruition. Austrian actor Johannes Nussbaum started acting in school plays and won his first roles on television before he was even a teenager.
Today, Nussbaum is a leading man who has shown great diversity, with roles in popular streaming series like Die Kaiserin as well as multiple stage productions.
This month, let’s learn German with the films and television of Johannes Nussbaum!
Get to Know Johannes Nussbaum
Johannes Nussbaum was born on May 31, 1995, in Mödling, Austria, a short distance from Vienna. From childhood, Nussbaum was involved in acting, participating in school plays. His talent was clear, even at his young age, as a theater group’s advisor recommended he seek out an agent.
At the age of nine, he beat out hundreds of children for a role in the film Import Export. From there, the roles continued slowly but surely. He appeared in films as well as on television crime shows like SOKO and Tatort.
While pursuing acting, Nussbaum studied his craft at the Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts in Berlin, Germany. It was during that time that he began to take on work in the theater.
For Juicy & Scandalous Drama: Vorstadtweiber (Suburbia – Women on the Edge)
Likened to Desperate Housewives, Vorstadtweiber focuses on five wealthy women who live in the suburbs of Vienna. However, appearances can be deceiving, and the dramatic soap opera follows the trials and tribulations of the women as their scandalous secrets catch up with them.
Johannes Nussbaum stars as Simon Schneider, the son of one of the five core women. He’s also having an affair with another of the core group. Nussbaum is a regular cast member for the first three seasons of the show and makes a couple of guest appearances during the fourth season.
The show also features Lucas Gregorowicz in a recurring role.
Where to Watch: Available on DVD from Amazon
Language Learning Focus: Pay close attention to the pronunciation and unique vocabulary of Austrian German, which differs from the standard German (Hochdeutsch) often taught in textbooks. This is invaluable for training your ear to different dialects.
For Emotional Storytelling: Hannes
Based on Rita Falk’s book of the same name, Hannes is a 2021 coming-of-age film. The story follows two teenagers, Hannes (portrayed by Nussbaum) and Moritz (portrayed by Leonard Scheicher), who have been best friends since childhood. When Hannes has a serious motorcycle accident and ends up in a coma, Moritz remains loyal to his friend, convinced that he will wake up and everything will return to normal.
The film also features Heiner Lauterbach and Verena Altenberger as doctors.
Where to Watch: Available on DVD from Amazon
Language Learning Focus: Listen to the difference between the way Hannes and Moritz speak to each other versus how doctors and parents speak to them. This will help you understand when to use the formal Sie and the informal du.
For a Historical Epic: Die Kaiserin (The Empress)
On the streaming series from Netflix, Die Kaiserin (or The Empress, in English) tells the story of Empress Elisabeth. More famously known by the nickname Sisi, she married the Habsburg emperor Franz Joseph I while still a teenager.
The popular streaming series follows Sisi’s difficulties in adjusting from her life in Bavaria to a new life full of restrictions in Vienna at palaces like Schloss schönbrunn.
Nussbaum stars as Archduke Maximilian, Franz Joseph’s brother. The series also features Devrim Lingnau as Elisabeth and Philip Froissant as Franz Joseph.
Where to Watch: Stream the series on Netflix
Language Learning Focus: You will learn words related to royalty, politics, and 19th-century life. Pay attention to titles like Kaiser (Emperor), Erzherzog (Archduke), and Gräfin (Countess) and how they are used in conversation.
You’ve seen the list, now I’d love to hear from you! Which of these Johannes Nussbaum films are you most excited to watch first? Or have you already seen one? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Practice, practice, practice! Discover more German actors and actresses previously featured.
Top photo by Joel Heyd, courtesy of Yumi Management. This post contains affiliate links.
