Harriet Herbig-Matten *Beyond Maxton Hall

Harriet Herbig-Matten Beyond Maxton Hall

interview + written KLAAS HAMMER

Who am I when no one is watching? Am I myself when I’m grocery shopping or working? Do I adapt, perform, put on a role? There are countless theories of identity, from Leibniz to Locke to Kant. Kant, for example, describes identity as a distinction between the transcendental self, the one that gives structure, and the empirical self, shaped by experience. From the influences we are born with to those we encounter throughout life, everything contributes to shaping who we are.

Harriet wears a dress by MORPHSTUDIO, shoes by SCAROSSO, rings by ALAN HAMILKO and earrings ARCHIVE

I sat down with actress Harriet Herbig-Matten to talk about identity.
I first met Harriet briefly five years ago at a Fashion Week event in Berlin. What stayed with me was a single thought: what a positive presence. In the years since, the young actress has worked her way up to become one of the most successful German actors of her generation, gaining international recognition through her leading role in the Amazon series Maxton Hall.

Has success, or the industry, changed her? No. When we meet again for this interview, her infectious smile is instantly there. Harriet knows what she wants and, more importantly, who she is. You sense her gratitude: for her success, but also for her family, who have supported her unconditionally from the very beginning.

The years ahead hold much to look forward to: new roles, new facets, while remaining unmistakably Harriet. She lives firmly in the present, yet one day, someday, she will turn her back on the big city. A farm, perhaps a few chickens, and still, without a doubt, a deep love for the profession she calls her own.

Harriet wears a coat by YASPIS, tights by FALKE and jewelry by ALAN HAMILKO

Klaas Hammer
What does identity mean to you?

Harriet Herbig-Matten
Identity is a very big word for me. It’s about how you express yourself in different ways – through fashion, art, or the way you choose to live your life. Of course, what you receive from your family also plays a huge role. For me, identity is closely connected to experimenting and personal growth. It’s not something set, but something that constantly evolves.

You became well known at a very young age. Did being judged by others so early on influence how you see yourself?

Definitely, although I think much of it happened subconsciously. I started acting when I was twelve, and at that time it actually gave me a lot of confidence, because I already knew very early on what I wanted to do. So I don’t think it made me insecure in the beginning. Only now, with the increasing attention (especially through Maxton Hall) and with social media, I notice how easy it is to feel like you have to live up to a certain “image” people have of you. That’s why I believe social media can be dangerous for young people. When I was younger, I didn’t really notice it at all.
With every negative comment, you start doubting yourself and questioning things. That’s why having a strong support system is so important. I’m very lucky to have friends and family who support me and are there for me.

How much of Harriet is visible in the roles you play? Is that something you think about when reading a script?

I think you inevitably give every role a part of yourself. At the same time, you also take something away from each role. That’s what I love about my job – you get to live a character and give them your own interpretation.
On the other hand, I often feel like I learn something from every role. Right now, it’s actually a goal of mine to play characters that, at first glance, are completely different from who I am – to create more separation between myself and the role. That’s not a negative thing at all; I think it can be very enriching.

Fans often don’t see Harriet, but the characters you play. Does fully immersing yourself in a role make it harder to let go afterward?

Yes, absolutely. When we started shooting Maxton Hall, I was 18. If you’re filming for months and fully immerse yourself in that world, it becomes everything for that period of time. But that’s also something really beautiful – you get to escape into an almost unreal world for a while.

Harriet wears a headpiece by THEATERKUNST

Have there been roles where you felt you discovered a side of yourself you didn’t know before?

Honestly, with almost every project. You’re constantly pushed to different limits and learn how resilient you really are. You also meet new people every time. A film set is huge – from fellow actors to set design, hair and make-up, catering, production, and so on. All these different characters and energies come together. That makes it exciting, but also challenging. Actors are just human beings, and if someone is having a bad day, you can’t simply cancel everything.

With Schwarzes Gold, I felt a lot of respect for the role because it’s set in a completely different historical context – a time we can hardly comprehend in our privileged society, where people were fighting for survival every single day. The character was filled with a lot of rage, and understanding that rage – where it comes from and why it exists – taught me a lot.

Does it comfort you to already be so successful at the beginning of your career, or does it create pressure to live up to that success?

Somewhere in between. The paradox of being human is that you always want more and are rarely fully satisfied. But what is the actual goal, and where are you right now? I believe the journey itself should bring a sense of fulfillment, not just the destination.

I’ve moved away from the idea that everything I do has to be as successful as Maxton Hall. I want to takes on roles that genuinely interest and challenge me, regardless of the size of the project. I think that’s a healthy approach, and it can be very healing to focus on what a project gives you personally. Of course, I’m incredibly grateful that Maxton Hall reached so many people. But to truly realize what that means – that hasn’t fully sunk in yet.

When you look at yourself ten years from now, do you think identity will feel even more “settled,” or will it always remain a process?

I’ve always been pretty clear about what I want and who I am. I had that sense of stability quite early on, partly because my family always gave me a lot of support and encouraged me in everything I wanted to do. I grew up very protected, and I think that gives a child a lot – confidence and a strong sense of self.
For a long time, I didn’t take opinions outside my family too seriously – it was more of a “whatever happens, happens” attitude. That has changed now, and I find myself doubting more. But I think it’s healthy to accept life as it is. That can bring a lot of inner calm. I’m not a child anymore; I feel more settled in myself and in my life. Some things simply can’t be controlled. With success comes a growing respect for the next steps — for the roles you choose and the paths you take. Looking ten years ahead, I hope to have found my way back to more inner peace and a stronger trust in life.
Right now, everything feels very intense and fast, which is probably typical for your twenties – you’re caught in a whirlwind, trying to avoid certain things while also trying to control everything at the same time. And yet, there’s also this quiet longing inside me for a calmer life.

Maybe a farm one day, with chickens?

Exactly. Still doing the job I love, of course – but alongside that, I’d really like a simple life as well.

Harriet wears a dress and shoes by VALENTINO and a ring by ALAN HAMILKO

Harriet wears a dress by Sylvio Giardina

Harriet wears a dress by Ferragamo

Harriet wears a dress by ETRO and jewelry by TOM WOOD

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talent   HARRIET HERBIG-MATTEN
photo + creative direction   FRAUKE JOANA
styling + interview   KLAAS HAMMER
production   MAXINE SCHALL
set design lead   EUGENIO PERAZZO
make up artist   PHILIPP VERHEYEN using TWEEZERMAN
hair   ATTILA KENYERES
light tech   EDGAR SCHERWINSKI
photo assistant   JOHANNA SUSTMANN
set assistants   NATHAN LEWI-LEVÉEL and NATALIA DNES
make up assistant   EVA HERBOHN
hair assistant   LOUISA BOCA
styling assistant   LOTTA MICHELS
talent management   MALVE FIEDLER
copyright LE MILE Magazine / Frauke Joana