Family affair
Wendy sins against her sister Lalage by chasing after her brother-in-law Hendrik, complete with a new look.
From childhood, Wendy (Michelle Beling) has been drowning in her sister Lalage’s (Elma Postma) shadow. Lalage has what seems to be the perfect life: a cushy job and a happy family with caring husband
Hendrik (Gérard Rudolf). Rehabilitated ex- convict Wendy on the other hand is alone. “She just wants someone in her corner while Lalage is focused on work,” explains Michelle. That void opens a door for betrayal on Wednesday 21 November when Wendy spends more time with Hendrik while Lalage is away on work, stepping in as a stand-in mom for her niece and nephew Anja and
Zandre (Lee Visagie and Dèanré Reiners). “Having feelings for Hendrik isn’t a planned force of attraction,” explains Michelle. “It happens without realising it.” It’s a one-sided situation though because morally upstanding Hendrik doesn’t even consider the possibility of an affair with his sister-in-law. “Wendy loses touch with reality. She doesn’t notice that her feelings aren’t reciprocated. She is blinded to what she’s doing.”
SHAKING THINGS UP
“Hendrik brings out the softer side of Wendy. The way he talks to her makes her feel good about herself,” says Michelle, emphasizing that Hendrik isn’t leading her on, but rather just being kind to her. “No one paid attention to her since she arrived in 2017. Before going to prison, her conman ex-boyfriend Jacques aka Clive (Stefan Ludik) broke her confidence. Hendrik’s compliment about her new look [on Thursday 22 November] reminds her again what it’s like to be a woman.” Wannabe beautician Anja continues helping Wendy with subtle make-up and wardrobe updates, not knowing that her dad is her aunt’s object of desire. “It’s nothing drastic,” adds Michelle. “She’s still a bit of a tomboy, just with lipstick and blush now.”
FAMILY FEUD
Wendy is speechless when she walks into the Lategan home on Friday 23 November to find that Lalage is back from her trip and that she’s made up with Hendrik after their recent fight. “Wendy didn’t see this coming. She is shattered,” says Michelle. Wendy knows that what she is feeling is wrong and voicing it will destroy her bond with her sister, “But how do you just shut off feelings when they are real?” asks the actress. “She needs to find her own life – she is living in Lalage’s shadow and that isn’t healthy. She doesn’t want to lose her family. She can’t.”