“It’s like I’m part of Montpellier, I feel accepted”: Tonya Kinzinger, aka Dr Lewis-Becker in Un si grand soleil, loves the city

TONYA KINZINGER at the Domaine de Biar in Lavérune. – DR

The doctor from the France 2 series has a crush on the series. It gives her time to devote herself to other activities, particularly theater. This is the contract she signed with the producer of the series filmed in the Montpellier region. 

What made you decide to choose the adventure Un si grand soleil ?

Thomas de Mattéi, the producer, asked me if I was ready to start a series again. Because I had taken a break from series for ten years. After Sous le soleil, I had done lots of other things. I needed to do theater in particular. But since I had taken a good break, I said yes. I still asked him if it was something that would prevent me from doing something else in terms of schedule or if I could have some time. He reassured me. I accepted.

Even if you had taken this break, it's a format that you appreciate the series ?

Yes. I didn't know the format of the daily. I had never done one. At the time, what I did was weekly, 52 minutes. Now, it's not the same thing.

Your character Janet is a humanist, always listening to those around her. You are the confidante of Claire and her emotional setbacks. You could be a good advisor, you who recently went through an ordeal with your husband, Commissioner Becker.

It wasn't always like that. We didn't always confide personal things with Claire. We got closer. I'm older than her, I have more experience and I give her another point of view.

What's going to happen for you this summer ?

There is a happy event that will happen in the series for our friends but I can't say more. And later, I will be confronted with a patient who is very difficult, who will cause me problems at the hospital, legal problems. It will also lead to a new confrontation with my husband's ex-wife. But it will be different from last time.

You are an actress but also a dancer. The Montpellier Danse festival has just ended. Have you already been tempted??

No. I arrived here at the end of June but I couldn't enjoy this dance festival. But I went to support Bibi Tanga (who plays Hugo Touré, the forensic doctor in the series, editor's note) at Hortus Live. Even though I love that Montpellier is very culturally rich, I rarely get to enjoy it.

A horse lover, Tonya Kinzinger is in Wild West mode.

What is your relationship with the city ?

I really like Montpellier. I walk in the small pedestrian streets. I really like getting lost there. There is a lot of authenticity. You don't find all the shops that you find everywhere else. I think the food is really good. You can find small restaurants with tapas, very good wines. I also find the people very friendly and welcoming.

When you walk around town, is the relationship you have with Montpellier fans different from the one you have elsewhere ?

They are very respectful, but that's also the case elsewhere. Here, I feel proud of this series. I feel proud that the filming is taking place here. Very often, people tell me that. It's as if I were part of Montpellier. I feel accepted. People often say to me: “How are you, doctor”?” (laughs) It's cute. But there's this feeling that the fans are happy to see Montpellier on screen. I like to feel that.

Are you following the American election campaign ?

From afar. Like you, I only see the gag things we see on TV. I can't get more deeply interested in it because I don't have access to certain channels. But it's sad to have come to this. The choice we are being offered is absurd. Between Trump and Biden, there are no candidates capable of leading a country with 325 million people. (The interview took place before Joe Biden's withdrawal, Editor's note).

Where are you with the theater ?

In September and October, I will be in residence at the Tête d'Or in Lyon to perform a play by Neil Simon. Every year, I try to do a play. It nourishes me differently from filming.

What are your vacations like ?

I will be going back to see my family in the United States.

BIO EXPRESS

Born in the late 1960s in the United States, Tonya Kinzinger was first a model before becoming an actress and host. She became known to French viewers for her role as Jessica in  Sous le soleil in 1996, a series she left in 2008. In 2012, she co-hosted season 9 of Star Academy on NRJ12. Passionate about dancing, she participated in the 5th season of the show Danse avec les stars on TF1, and finished fifth. Mother of a son, Sacha, the actress now divides her time between her role in Un si grand soleil and theater projects.

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