New show to take off online
‘Harvest role nearly broke me’
ACTRESS Julia Anastasopoulos – better known as the hilarious SuzelleDIY – has a new online alter ego on the brew.
Internet TV Service Showmax announced that Anastasopoulos would star in its first original production‚ Tali’s Wedding Diary.
Filming for the eight-part series – which is currently underway – will premier on Showmax in December.
Each episode will be about 20 minutes long.
Anastasopoulos will play Tali‚ a self-obsessed Sandton princess who’s moved to Cape Town and has hired SEASONED actress Masasa Mbangeni has revealed that playing Celia on the Harvest almost broke her.
The actress opened up about the challenges she faced while shooting the hit e.tv drama series through a telling social media post. The show airs on e.tv tonight at 9.30pm.
Masasa said that the role demanded so much from her‚ but the support from the team kept her focused.
“It’s a work that nearly broke me because it demanded so much and I won’t lie, I danced very close to the edge of insanity but the amazing team kept me going. Keep watching. It’s about to get even more lit‚” she said.
Masasa also thanked viewers for the overwhelming support that the show has received since it aired last a film crew to capture the build-up to her wedding to her property-agent fiancé.
Since bringing Suzelle to life on YouTube three years ago‚ more than 70 videos have been created‚ gaining almost 22 million views.
She teamed up with director Ari Kruger – who cocreated Suzelle – to produce the character of Tali.
“When Ari and I first approached Showmax we knew we had a great concept but weren’t sure if they’d bite – getting backing for a production in South Africa can be tough‚” said Anastasopoulos.
“To their credit Showmax instantly bought into what we’re trying to do.”
Chris Savides‚ head of Showmax Africa‚ said supporting local productions was part of its strategy.
“There’s incredible talent month. Speaking to Sowetan earlier this week, Masasa said that when she was first introduced to her character Celia she found that she was similar to her Scandal! role.
“My worry with this role was that it was quite similar to the part I played on Scandal! So I was worried people will link those two together.
“So when I was first introduced to the role I had to be careful and deliberate because I needed people to be let go of my Scandal! character‚” she said.
The drama series follows the story of how three woman Celia (Masasa Mbangeni)‚ Clementine (Vatiswa Ndara) and Tshepiso (Khanya Mkangisa) are forced to take over illegal businesses after their husbands were tragically killed. – Tshisalive and expertise on this continent‚ so why look anywhere else‚ especially when you’re trying to tell authentic‚ locally relevant stories.” — TimesLIVE