Oli.P Returns to GZSZ as Ricky Marquardt After 27 Years for Two-Episode Guest Role (New)

Oliver Petszokat, known professionally as Oli.P, has returned to the RTL daily soap Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten after 27 years away from the series. The 48-year-old actor reprised his role as Ricky Marquardt, a character he originally played from 1998 to 1999.

 

 

The two episodes featuring Petszokat are scheduled to air on Wednesday, September 30, and Thursday, October 1, 2026, in episodes 8,619 and 8,620 at 7:40 p.m. on RTL. The episodes are available one week earlier on the streaming platform RTL+.

Petszokat confirmed the return in an interview with RTL. He said his character has changed over the years. Ricky now works as a registrar.

‘Er ist älter geworden und er kommt mit einem anderen Beruf zurück nach Berlin. Was ich schon verraten kann: Er arbeitet jetzt als Standesbeamter,’ Petszokat said.

Wedding Storyline

Ricky’s return coincides with a wedding storyline involving Philip Höfer, played by Jörn Schlönvoigt, and Jessica Reichelt, played by Nina Ensmann. Ricky will officiate the ceremony for the couple.

The episodes also involve tension between Philip and his brother John, played by Felix von Jascheroff. In episode 8,619, titled Nicht ohne meinen Bruder, John learns that Philip wants him at the wedding but initially refuses to attend.

For Nina Ensmann, the wedding scenes mark her departure from the series after four years in the role of Jessica. For Philip’s character, it is his third marriage on the show.

Emotional Return to Set

Petszokat described his first day back at the studio in Potsdam-Babelsberg as a mix of familiar and new experiences. He said the staircase railing in the building had not changed.

‘Das Gefühl beim Treppensteigen, das Geländer wieder in der Hand zu haben, hat mich total überrumpelt. Mir wurde klar, dass ich da locker 2.000 Mal hoch und runter bin,’ he said.

He also recalled meeting a reception employee who had worked at the studio during his original time on the series. ‘Es waren zwar 27 Jahre Pause, aber es war so, als ob man sich täglich grüßt,’ Petszokat said.

The actor noted that the space formerly used as a fan club room is now the costume department. He said the building itself has remained the same despite other changes.

Immediate Agreement to Return

Petszokat said he did not hesitate when asked to return. He described his response to the offer.

‘Für ein Comeback bei Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten gibt es keinen falschen Zeitpunkt – das ist erst mal das Wichtigste zu sagen. Aber es hat einfach gepasst. Es kam die Frage und ich habe gesagt: Hä, natürlich, na klar! Das wird eine Gaudi, das wird richtig toll,’ he said.

He said he only later understood how much his original storyline with characters Cora, Nico, and Nataly had affected a generation of teenage viewers.

‘Gerade die Geschichten, die erzählt wurden mit Cora, Nico, Nataly und Ricky, also mit uns Vieren, dass das ja für eine bestimmte Teenager-Generation damals so eine tiefe Zeit war,’ Petszokat said.

He summarized what viewers can expect from his episodes: ‘Humor, Emotionales und Überraschungen.’

His message to fans about a possible future return was: ‘Man soll niemals nie sagen.’

Career Beyond GZSZ

After leaving GZSZ in 1999, Petszokat built a career as a singer, television presenter, and actor. His 1998 cover of Herbert Grönemeyer’s ‘Flugzeuge im Bauch’ sold more than two million copies and became one of the best-selling German-language singles.

He has worked as a presenter on programs including ‘Big Brother’ and appeared as an actor in the ARD daily soap ‘Rote Rosen’ in 2016.

In 2026, ‘Flugzeuge im Bauch’ received sevenfold gold certification. Petszokat continues to perform live as a musician, including appearances in Mallorca.

The actor has been married to Pauline Petszokat since 2014. She was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2020, which was removed surgically. He has spoken publicly about the impact of that experience.

nn

Image Via: GZSZ