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June 24, 2024
Damian Hardung and Harriet Herbig-Matten became close friends while playing love interests — James and Ruby — on Maxton Hall.
The Prime Video series, which debuted in May 2024, is based on Mona Kasten‘s Save You book series. The six-part German-language TV drama introduced viewers to an unlikely enemies to lovers romance between private school classmates Ruby (Herbig-Matten) and James (Hardung).
Maxton Hall quickly found record-breaking success by being the most-watched non-U.S. title during its first week on Prime Video. It was renewed for a second season one week after its debut.
After filming the series in 2022, Hardung and Herbig-Matten formed a bond as they waited for fans to finally see their hard work come to life two years later. The pair later revealed that their first interaction didn’t immediately result in a friendship.
“I think in our first audition, he had come into the room and he had this suit on and I was like, ‘Who’s this arrogant boy there?’ But in our second and last audition, it just clicked and we had tension,” Herbig-Matten exclusively told Us Weekly in June 2024. “So we had chemistry, we just didn’t see that.”
Hardung also recalled building trust with Herbig-Matten as they worked on the show together, adding, “We had a very interesting dynamic while shooting. Because we were literally just going through everything that the characters were going through.”
He continued: “Whenever we knew the next day we’re gonna have a shoot where we hate each other, we literally didn’t talk the night before. If we knew the next day we’re gonna be best friends then we went out for dinner together.”
Keep scrolling to see the sweetest moments from Hardung and Herbig-Matten’s friendship as they continue to film season 2 of Maxton Hall:
Credit: Amy Graves/Getty Images for Prime Video
Harriet Herbig-Matten and Damian Hardung’s Sweetest Friendship Moments: From ‘Maxton Hall’ and Beyond
Damian Hardung and Harriet Herbig-Matten became close friends while playing love interests — James and Ruby — on Maxton Hall. The Prime Video series, which debuted in May 2024, is based on Mona Kasten‘s Save You book series. The six-part German-language TV drama introduced viewers to an unlikely enemies to lovers romance between private school classmates Ruby (Herbig-Matten) and James (Hardung). Maxton Hall quickly found record-breaking success by being the most-watched non-U.S. title during its first week on Prime Video. It was renewed for a second season one week after its debut. After filming the series in 2022, Hardung and Herbig-Matten formed a bond as they waited for fans to finally see their hard work come to life two years later. The pair later revealed that their first interaction didn’t immediately result in a friendship. “I think in our first audition, he had come into the room and he had this suit on and I was like, ‘Who’s this arrogant boy there?’ But in our second and last audition, it just clicked and we had tension,” Herbig-Matten exclusively told Us Weekly in June 2024. “So we had chemistry, we just didn’t see that.” Hardung also recalled building trust with Herbig-Matten as they worked on the show together, adding, “We had a very interesting dynamic while shooting. Because we were literally just going through everything that the characters were going through.” He continued: “Whenever we knew the next day we’re gonna have a shoot where we hate each other, we literally didn’t talk the night before. If we knew the next day we’re gonna be best friends then we went out for dinner together.” Keep scrolling to see the sweetest moments from Hardung and Herbig-Matten’s friendship as they continue to film season 2 of Maxton Hall:
Credit: Courtesy of Damian Hardung/Instagram
August 2022
Hardung uploaded a photo of him and Herbig-Matten hanging out outside of the set.
Credit: Prime Video
September 2022
“To dream of what he wants. To be who he wants to be. To love whom he wants. @damianhardung I am happy to finally announce that we will be portraying @monakasten and I, Ruby and James in Save Me from @damianhardung,” Herbig-Matten captioned an Instagram photo of her and Hardung goofing off while playing basketball. “I’m looking forward to the time.”
Credit: Gerald Matzka/Getty Images
February 2023
After filming the first season of Maxton Hall, Hardung and Herbig-Matten posed for photos at an appearance for Prime Video.
Credit: Prime Video/YouTube
January 2024
“You’re at work and suddenly SHE walks in 🥹,” Hardung wrote alongside an Instagram video of him reuniting with Herbig-Matten.
Credit: Gerald Matzka/Getty Images
April 2024
Hardung and Herbig-Matten color coordinated in matching black looks at an event for their show.
Credit: Courtesy of Damian Hardung/Instagram
May 2024
Hardung and Herbig-Matten documented their trip overseas to California ahead of Maxton Hall‘s release on Prime Video.
Credit: Amy Graves/Getty Images for Prime Video
May 2024
The costars were all smiles at a red carpet event in the U.S.
Credit: Prime Video/YouTube
June 2024
“That was my first time playing a love story that has these intense emotions. And as I said, it was really easy with Damian and I,” Herbig-Matten told Us. “We are two different people and we are good friends and we have a good connection. It’s really important to treat your connection [well] but to set boundaries as well as an actress and an actor.”
Hardung, meanwhile, broke down the commitment that went into portraying James and Ruby’s relationship, saying, “That chemistry, it has to be felt. It’s really just about taking every emotion seriously. You have got to be honest about those emotions and I love that.”
Credit: Prime Video/YouTube
June 2024
Outtakes from Maxton Hall season 1 featured Hardung and Herbig-Matten having fun filming various scenes together.
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