Terry to play Winnie

She’d expected to be jumping for joy if it happened but when actress TERRY PHETO finally bagged the role of Winnie Mandela in a new drama series, Madiba, she felt too overwhelmed to skip about.

“I actually found myself sitting down and just taking it all in,” says Terry of hearing the news after six months of auditions and callbacks.

“I play Winnie from when she was in her twenties right up until her fifties,” the 35-year-old actress says of her role in the drama series helmed by Hollywood director Kevin Hooks. “It’s so funny seeing the transformation all the actors go through during make-up to get them to look old and grey,” she laughs.

Hollywood actor LAURENCE FISHBURNE portrays Madiba. “He’s phenomenal and one of my favourite actors,” Terry says. “He’s also a very generous actor. I always feel safe doing my own thing alongside him.”

The series is being filmed entirely in Johannesburg in a specially built studio where iconic locations such as Robben Island and Vilakazi Street in Soweto have been recreated.

Terry is joined by HLOMLA DANDALA in the role of Govan Mbeki and American comedian and actor Orlando Jones takes on the role of Oliver Tambo. Madiba will air on BET (DStv channel 129) in February 2017.

‘I’ve been reading up on Winnie’s journey, reading some of her letters and watching her interviews’ – TERRY ON PREPARING FOR HER ROLE