Extraordinarily diverse
Kai Shewe (60) at the beginning of his acting career.
Image: IMAGO / teutopress | IMAGO / STAR-MEDIA
Kai Schewe is one of the most versatile and colorful faces of German television and theater. His role repertoire ranges from romantic lover to stubborn inspector. He’s been in front of the camera for 27 years – we take you on a journey through time to see how he’s changed over his TV career.
Political and personal turning point
After the start of acting training in Leipzig, the political changes of 1989 also became a turning point in the biography of Kai Schewe (60). Together with his friends, he fled to the West through Hungary. In newly unified Germany, he continued his education at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Frankfurt am Main. This was followed by performances in such respected theaters as Mainz, Düsseldorf and Zurich.
Since the late 1990s, he has worked increasingly in film and television. His roles are varied. In addition to such series as “With Heart and Handcuffs” (2005), “Küstenwache” (2007) and “Bergdoktor” (2016), his repertoire has included crime thriller formats for many years. Kai Schewe has already appeared in the films SOKO Wismar (2012), Policeruf 110 (2011) and in several episodes of Tatort (2012, 2018 and 2020). Since 2020, he has been playing the role of Chief Inspector Robert Winkler in the TV series Erzgebirgscrimi.
1998: Romantic film “No Sex”
In the ZDF romantic comedy No Sex, Kai Shev adapted to the superficial love comedies that were in demand at the time. For young architect Paul Liebermann (Kai Schewe), whose first house has just collapsed, it’s not just his professional world that’s collapsing. His girlfriend also breaks up with him, and to make matters worse, he becomes impotent. When he wants to get his life back on track, he meets waitress Isabelle (Nadia Uhl), who is unintentionally pregnant by her ex. The comedy about a turbulent relationship marked the beginning of Kai Schewe’s television career.
Hanns Zischler (left) with Kai Schewe (right) in the film “No Sex” (ZDF).
Bild: stocks and people imago
2000: “My daughter must never find out”
In Saturday’s riveting My Daughter May Never Know, Kai Shev delves into the realm of psychodrama. After several years in the US, Jenny (Muriel Baumeister) wants to fulfill her dream of having a healthy family with her new boyfriend Tom (Kai Shev) and the seven-year-old daughter who previously lived with Jenny’s parents. A strained relationship with her father Retzlaff (Walter Kress) mars her happiness. Jenny suffers from nightmares and is hospitalized after losing consciousness. It turns out that she is addicted to pills and was abused as a child – this is where her personal nightmare begins. Kai Shev shines as the abuse victim’s friend.
Scene with Walter Kray (Jenny’s father), Muriel Baumeister (Jenny), Larissa Ryle (Maya), Kai Schewe (Jenny’s friend Tom), Michaela Rosen (Jenny’s mother).
Bild: imago images / United Archives
From 2006 to 2017: Hotelier Carsten Hellstein at the Spreewaldkriemi.
In the series “Spreewaldkrimi” Kai Schewe played the role of hotel owner Karsten Hellstein in Lübbenau. His recurring character in the series is often associated with supporting roles in individual episodes. In some cases, he is even suspected of involvement in murder.
Since 2020: Robert Winkler with Erzgebirgskriemi.
To this day, he plays Detective Chief Inspector Robert Winkler in the crime series Erzgebirgscreami. Together with him, Lara Mandoki is investigating the case as the German-Hungarian Commissioner Karina Szabó. Forester Saskia Bergelt (Teresa Weisbach) supports the investigation against the backdrop of old legends, myths and traditions of the mining region.
Commissioners Robert Winkler (Kai Shev) and Karina Szabo (Lara Mandoki) in action.
Image: ZDF/Eckhard Jansen
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Family life in Berlin
Kai Schewe lives in Berlin with his wife and two children. In addition to walking the family dog, he keeps fit by mountain biking.