Lost in love
Anja is seeing hearts, but it’s not the same for the object of her desire Benjamin.
Weekdays SABC3 (*193) 19:00
Valentine’s Day is a bit of a gamble for Anja Lategan, laughs actress Lee Visagie. “She’s seen Benjamin le Roux (Arno Marais) around The Deep and she’s always thought that he is cute. His money adds to her attraction to him… but just a little bit. She isn’t a complete golddigger!” Her friend Enhle (Siphesihle Mpanza) took advantage of Anja’s feel-ings on Monday 12 February when she bet the teen that she’s too chicken to kiss Ben. “It’s a crush, so Anja is blushing and shy, but she also isn’t going to let her friend win a bet,” says Lee. Anja started plotting to get Ben’s attention on Tuesday 13 February, but as with all well-laid soapie plans, “It blows up in her face on Valentine’s Day [actually in the Wednesday 14 February episode].” Lee adds that “Anja is left with egg on her face but she isn’t the kind of person who gives up – she is resourceful and continues with her scheme is catch and kiss Ben. It’s going to take longer than she hoped though.”
WALLED IN
The biggest obstacle stopping Anja from getting her smooch is Benjamin himself, says Arno. “He’s a bit of a playboy for sure. Ben likes attention from the ladies, but he doesn’t just kiss every woman he sees. He’s also not on the love trail right now after what happened with Nikiwe (Linda Sokhulu).” Ben tried to get his bestie to realise that he liked her but Nikiwe ended up thinking that Ben was her stalker in the first week of February when the businessman kept popping up in the wrong place at the wrong time. “Nikiwe is totally out of the picture now in ‘ that’ way,” explains Arno. And that’s the foot in the door that Anja unknowingly needs.
WARNING BELLS
While Enhle is still playing the devil on Anja’s shoulder on Friday 16 February, egging her on with Ben, the teen does have an angel watching out for her. “Her aunt Wendy (Michelle Beling) tells Anja what she knows about Ben,” says Lee. “Wendy knows the type of man that he is, probably though her own experiences. Wendy has seen Ben around town and she tells her niece to be wary because the flashy businessman ‘is not what you think he is’.” Arno is quick to point out that while Wendy is allowed her reservations, “Benjamin is not using Anja. I think the viewers will see that with how he’s a little awkward around her at first. Yes, he enjoys spending time with her and they get along well, but there are no feelings there for her in a love way. He’s simply enjoying this young woman’s attention.”
LYING IN LOVE
Anja doesn’t listen to authority and she isn’t going to let her less-than-saintly aunt stop her from having her cake and eating it. “The writers are still plotting where this storyline is going,” says Lee, “but Anja isn’t going to be forthcoming with her family down the line. She isn’t going to tell them what she’s up to and even her aunt, who is like her confidante, doesn’t know what Anja is doing.” Wendy is going to get a peek at her niece’s scheme on Tuesday 27 February and as Lee warns, “She is not going to like it one bit!”
1, 2, 3… AND SMOOCH
Like every soapie kissing scene, the two actors sat down for a chat first to iron out any possible issues. “But it wasn’t actually necessary,” laughs Lee. “Arno and I are friends outside of work, so we’re comfortable in each other’s space.” Arno says that “it’s our job – you go in, kiss when they shout ‘And roll!’ and that’s it.” Lee adds that “my fiancé isn’t jealous at all. He understands my job and if anything, he will joke about it with Arno when we’re together again”.