Minke Marais is determined to use her leading role in the new Afrikaans telenovela “Reënboogrant” to assist those navigating the challenges of youth.

The 23-year-old plays high schooler Shani Brink on the Showmax series, which also airs on kykNET (DStv channel 144).

The rest of the star-studded cast includes “Wyfie” star Mila de Villiers, “Diepe Waters’” duo Johnny Potsanyane and Righard van Jaarsveld and ex-Miss Teen Namibia finalist, Marelee Ferreira.

It is produced by Sonvelt Media, with South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) and Silwerskerm winner Desiré Gardner as the head writer and with André Velts as the director.

The show is inspired by Louise van Niekerk’s best-selling 90s novels of the same name.

Set in Tshwane, it centres around the Brink family, which includes sisters Shani and Sunette (De Villiers), with “Spooksoeker’s” Paul Strydom as their older brother Dolf, who is in matric and is the school head boy.

Meanwhile, Marais explained that she is thrilled to be playing such an intricate character.

“I fell in love with the character and she is such an important one to play.”

“When I was in high school, we didn't really have an Afrikaans show which was for us. There were other local shows but they were mostly for an older audience and with ‘Reënboogrant’, there is something everyone will be able to resonate with.”

The actress said that while the series places much focus on high school life, themes such as bullying, toxicity, relationships, grief and exams are also addressed.

“This is not just surface level stuff, we go in depth. These are all things that youngsters can relate to and there are even things that will resonate for their parents.”

Minke Marais as Shani Brink in ‘Reënboogrant’. Picture: Supplied.

Marais is also still processing helming such a prominent show.

“I feel very grateful and to be honest, it hasn't sunk in yet because for so long, you dream these dreams and you work towards a certain goal and then when it happens, you sometimes don't know how to act because you have been dreaming this dream for so long and working hard towards it.”

“My dream started in high school so to be playing a high school character feels like a full circle moment and a fever dream.”

She is also loving being on set.

“Everybody’s hearts are in this project, everyone is kind and we are working hard to make our characters the best they can be,” Marais added.

“I am also grateful that the crew have taken on a project with mainly young people and aspiring actors and it is really amazing for them to be taking a chance on us and for them to be guiding us and it's really a positive environment to be in.”

Marais delved into how she and Shani are similar and how they differ from each other.

“Minkie and Shani walk parallel, we are the same in many ways but there are so many differences.”

“With Shani, nothing can stop her from reaching her dreams and I feel like I can relate to her so much because when I was younger, I also dreamt of being an actress.”

“We are also both girly girls and I love that she loves cowboy boots, bow and pink.”

But there are also many ways in which they differ.

“I didn’t really date in high school but Shani has a very colourful dating life, she falls in love too quickly, breaks her heart and she is a hopeless romantic. I think that's what makes her special but Minkie is far more careful,” she joked.

“Shani also does dumb things sometimes which I also did when I was 16 and Minke is far more introverted and not as cool as Shani because she doesn't take anyone's nonsense, which is something I envy from my perspective.”

Marais also explained how, as a young adult, she is able to portray a teenage character.

“I have been through more life than Shani but when I thought back about myself in high school, I managed to connect with her.”

“She doesn't understand the cruelty of the world and she is an innocent young girl. All of us had that innocence growing up and we have all done dumb things.

“I hope that fans will have grace with Shani. She is only 16 and she is going to do annoying stuff but I really hope that they see her humanity and see how hard she is working to make her dreams come through.”