‘The Polygamist’ actors open up about toxic love, loyalty and survival in Netflix supernovela
The cast of "The Polygamist" headed to Soweto for the trailer reveal of Netflix's newest supernovela.
Image: Supplied
Netflix is gearing up for the release of a new supernovela, "The Polygamist", adapted from Sue Nyathi’s acclaimed novel.
The trailer has been released, and it's already got excitement running among viewers, with drama promising to give Mzansi’s favourite polygamous family, the Mseleku’s, a run for their money.
Produced by award-winning Stained Glass Productions, the 22-episode series premieres on 12 June, bringing heavyweight storytelling to the screen.
Leading the cast are Gugu Gumede and Sdumo Mtshali, stepping into the roles of Joyce and Jonasi Gomora, a couple whose world looks polished on the outside but is anything but stable behind closed doors.
The story follows Jonasi Gomora, a self-made CEO who builds an empire alongside a very complicated personal life. As success grows, so do the cracks.
Lwazie Tsebesha, Luyanda Zwane, Noluthando Shabalala and Wonder Ndlovu star in "The Polygamist".
Image: Netflix/South Africa
His relationships with multiple wives and mistresses begin to unravel, each one reflecting a different side of the man he has become.
During a media junket, IOL got to know the characters better through the top South African actors who portray them.
Kwanele Mthethwa portrays Matipa, an ambitious woman who claws her way into Jonasi’s life. The actress shared that the filming process was a “beautiful experience”.
“I think it also helped because this is a story that's based on a book, so you sort of had an idea of what these characters are. There's obviously just now laying the foundation for the characters, but it's also very important to find your own process. To get into the character and everything and just sort of make it your own
“The people on set, the cast, and everyone else made it so easy to just sort of do your thing because everyone came through. It was a very exciting process.”
Celeste Ntuli, Kenneth Nkosi and Kwanele Mthethwa during the Netflix "The Polygamist" media junket.
Image: Supplied
Legendary actor Kenneth Nkosi stars as Magesh, the loyal to a fault older brother to Jonasi.
Nkosi has worked with his fellow co-stars Celeste Ntuli, Mthethwa, and Mtshali before, but being part of “The Polygamist” cast allowed him to work with young people he hasn't worked with.
“In terms of playing the role itself and with the cast, it was amazing. I think the first time in my life when I can step into a character, I feel like I'm the oldest. I was the oldest, even with the crew.
“Working with the young ones, that was quite refreshing. Having to chill with Wanda and Vuyo in the trailer together, not so nice. But damn, it's good the stories tell. They'll keep you young as well at the same time.”
“The Polygamist” is filled with drama, jaw-dropping moments, suspense, and everything that a good telenovela needs, but underneath, there are lessons.
“Toxic is toxic. No matter how you try to show it and put it in some way to understand that someone will either love you or they don't,” shared Celeste Ntuli about what she learned from the storyline.
“I think the lesson is to be honest with yourself and if you do stay, understand that you are at least staying for yourself,” added Ntuli.
For Mthethwa, the lesson was about choosing herself, something her character Matipa navigates throughout.
“Leaving very toxic and abusive situations. Yes, with Matipa, it did come at a cost of breaking people's hearts and taking what was supposed to be her burdens to other people, and yes, they may judge her for that too, but choose yourself no matter the cost, really.”
Actors Sthandiwe Kgoroge, Sdumo Mtshali and Gugu Gumede star in Netflix supernovela, "The Polygamist".
Image: Supplied/Netflix
Nkosi explained that with Magesh, if anybody can learn anything at all with his character, it’s that loyalty is not everything.
“People believe so much in this loyalty and all that and family and blood and all that. But then, really, at the end of the day, what is Magesh's life all about? Because he doesn't have a life. He is not living his life. His life is overshadowed by his brother, whom he has to protect all the time.”
“The Polygamist” premieres on Netflix on June 12.
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