Timon Moll, the director of the popular TV programs about the Meiland family, shares his story in the new book The Family – Behind the Scenes at the Meilandjes. He talks about a special moment when Martien Meiland was going through a difficult time. And yes, this book has everything: secrets and a lot of tears!
Heart complaints
During the recording of Chateau Meiland, Martien suddenly felt very ill. He was so sad that he appeared on screen crying, dressed in a bathrobe. “He had heart problems and had difficulty breathing,” Timon tells RTL Boulevard. “We filmed everything because we didn’t know what was going on.”
Sick due to stress
But it soon turned out that Martien’s complaints had another reason. He had online contact with a man who kept asking for money. Martien, always so sweet and kind-hearted, gave money again and again without realizing that he was getting into trouble. The stress made him sick. “Martien was completely upset and could only cry,” says Timon.
Martien shares everything with Timon
What surprised Timon most was that Martien did not confide in anyone from his family. Instead he told everything to Timon. “Every day he complained of stomach ache and heart problems, all due to the stress of that nasty situation,” says Timon. Martien chose to share his concerns with Timon and not with his wife Erica.
‘Erica is the sweetest woman you could have’
Ultimately, Timon decided to inform Erica together with Martien. And that turned out to be the best decision ever! “At such moments Erica is at her best,” says Timon. “She was so sweet to him! She supported him completely and was extremely involved. That is a side of Erica that you might not immediately expect, because she comes across so strong. But when her great love is in trouble, she is the sweetest woman you can have.”
Martien Meiland engages the son of Peter R. de Vries
To help Martien, they hired a lawyer, Royce de Vries. He wrote two letters to the man who was harassing Martien. After the first letter, the man tried to contact him a few more times, but after the second letter it finally stopped. Martien could breathe a sigh of relief and peace returned to the lives of the Meiland family.
