Our business is done
David Rees and his character Chris are on the move.
“I was caught offguard,” says a flabbergasted David Rees of his contract not being renewed after his two-year stint as Hillside’s troubled property developer Chris Welman. The news made headlines this month and sent gossip into overdrive when 7de Laan kept mum on why the veteran actor had been let go. It didn’t help that David was quoted in a newspaper that he was so bored on set that he would often fall asleep while filming. “I never said that. What I said was that we had a lot of scenes – sometimes 11 a day – and I was exhausted and if I nodded off, that was the reason,” explains the actor openly. “I have nothing but respect for the team and my co-stars and the work that we do daily.”
SAY THAT AGAIN, PLEASE
David says that he was speechless when he heard that his character was being written out. “It felt like a kick to the gut. This role has helped me grow as an actor. I’m proud of the quality of work that I achieved and the standard that I’ve set myself. I’m thankful that I got to work on this show – 7de Laan is the jewel in my acting crown.”
LIFE RAFT
The role was a saving grace in 2016 while David was going through a rough patch. “My father Chris passed away on 16 June and my daughter Wanja (14) moved to Windhoek, Namibia with her mom. My life was hectic. 7de Laan gave me grounding, an anchor point.” Knowing that his time in Hillside is up isn’t getting him down though – David is optimistic about his future, especially since freelance and cameo work is always available. “I’m not a victim and I am only looking at the bright side. I’m not going to rest on my laurels.” He also doesn’t know how Chris will be exiting – “I haven’t been told or given a script yet. All I know is that I’m going out on a personal high!”
EDITOR’S NOTE
David’s last scenes are being filmed on Tuesday 31 July at the 7de Laan studios and his character will leave Hillside on Friday 19 October. The soap refused to comment on David leaving while we wrote this story and he says that he wasn’t aware of anything major that could’ve made them not want to keep his character on the show. It will be interesting to see who takes over Chris’s duties as the new head of the Welman house.