Inside the cast of Unseen: meet the stars of Netflix's gripping thriller
The cast of Unseen creates a thrilling, emotionally charged drama that captivates viewers globally. Their chemistry and talent elevate the gripping storyline to new heights. This exceptional cast embodies resilience and complexity in every scene.
Source: Instagram
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- The cast of Unseen
- 1. Gail Mabalane as Zenzi Mwale
- 2. Vuyo Dabula as Max Mwale
- 3. Mothusi Magano as Lufuno Ngesi
- 4. Colin Moss as Reuben Theron
- 5. Rapulana Seiphemo as Blessing
- 6. Brendon Daniels as Raymond Hendricks
- 7. Waldemar Schultz as Detective Morkel
- 8. Dineo Langa as Naledi
- 9. Hein De Vries as Joseph
- 10. Omhlee Tshabalala as Esulu
- 11. Shimmy Isaacs as Alice
- 12. Ilse Klink as Detective Lyners
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Key takeaways
- Unseen features talented actors, including Gail Mabalane, Vuyo Dabula, Mothusi Magano, and Rapulana Seiphemo.
- The popular South African crime thriller premiered for its second season in May 2025.
- There has been no official communication from Netflix about renewing Unseen for its third season.
- Unseen is an adaptation of the Turkish crime drama series Fatma, which aired in 2021.
The cast of Unseen
In 2023, a South African crime thriller, Unseen, premiered on Netflix, featuring a wide range of film stars. Here is a detailed breakdown of the cast of the gripping television show:
1. Gail Mabalane as Zenzi Mwale
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Gail Nkoane Mabalane
- Date of birth: December 27, 1984
- Age: 40 years old (as of August 2025)
- Career: Actress, businesswoman, singer, and model
- Social media: Instagram
Gail is a talented actress, model, businesswoman, and singer. She rose to prominence after featuring in the South African TV series The Wild.
Mabalane is portrayed as Zenzi Mwale, a meek house cleaner in Cape Town. Driven by desperation to find her missing husband, Max Mwale, she transforms into a determined and dangerous figure entangled in a violent criminal underworld.
2. Vuyo Dabula as Max Mwale
Source: Facebook
- Full name: Vuyo Dabula
- Date of birth: September 11, 1976
- Age: 48 years old
- Career: Model, actor, bodybuilder
- Social media: Instagram
Vuyo Dabula is a South African actor, model, and bodybuilder. He gained fame following his trailblazing performance on Netflix's comic drama, Queen Sono.
Dabula portrays Max Mwale, Zenzi Mwale's missing husband. His disappearance after being released from a two-year prison sentence sets off the central mystery of the series.
3. Mothusi Magano as Lufuno Ngesi
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Mothusi Magano
- Date of birth: March 26, 1979
- Age: 46 years old (as of 2025)
- Career: Actor
- Social media: Instagram
Mothusi is an award-winning actor best known for his roles in films like Tsotsi, Scandal!, and Intersexions. He plays Lufuno Ngesi, a journalist, close friend, and confidant to the protagonist Zenzi Mwale.
4. Colin Moss as Reuben Theron
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Colin 'Cole' Moss
- Date of birth: February 9, 1976
- Age: 49 years old (as of 2025)
- Career: Actor
- Social media: Instagram
Colin Moss plays Reuben Theron, an unscrupulous lawyer who works for the criminal syndicate led by Blessing. His role involves providing legal cover and navigating the dangerous underworld's dealings, making him a key figure in the web of corruption and criminal activity.
5. Rapulana Seiphemo as Blessing
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Rapulana Seiphemo
- Date of birth: November 4, 1967
- Age: 57 years old (as of August 2025)
- Career: Actor and filmmaker
- Social media: Instagram
Rapulana is an actor and filmmaker best known for his roles in Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema, Paradise Stop, and Generation. In Unseen, Rapulana Seiphemo plays Blessings, a central antagonist and kingpin in the dark criminal underworld that drives much of the series' conflict.
6. Brendon Daniels as Raymond Hendricks
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Brendon Daniels
- Date of birth: 1974
- Age: 51 years old (as of 2025)
- Career: Actor
- Social media: Instagram
Brendon is a South African actor known for Four Corners, Neelan & Kevin, and Skemerdans. In the Netflix series Unseen, he plays Raymond, an impulsive and somewhat volatile mobster who often acts out of anger but primarily out of fear.
7. Waldemar Schultz as Detective Morkel
Source: Facebook
- Full name: Waldemar Schultz
- Date of birth: April 21, 1970
- Age: 55 years old (as of 2025)
- Career: Actor
- Social media: Facebook
Waldemar is an actor who primarily rose to stardom following his role as Mr. Lewis in The Kissing Booth franchise. Schultz portrays Detective Morkel, the police officer assigned to investigate the criminal activities and violent events linked to the main character, Zenzi Mwale.
8. Dineo Langa as Naledi
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Dineo Bridgette Moeketsi Langa
- Date of birth: July 20, 1987
- Age: 38 years old (as of 2025)
- Career: Actress, businesswoman, and media personality.
- Social media: Instagram
She skyrocketed to fame following her role as Kea Khoza in the South African telenovela, The Queen. Dineo Langa plays Naledi in Unseen, the estranged younger sister of the protagonist, Zenzi Mwale.
After Max disappears, she asks Zenzi to forget about him and start a new life. Their complicated relationship adds emotional depth to the series.
9. Hein De Vries as Joseph
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Hein De Vries
- Date of birth: April 2, 1981
- Age: 44 years old (as of 2025)
- Career: Actor and stuntman
- Social media: Instagram
In Netflix's Unseen, Hein De Vries plays Joseph, Raymond Hendricks' right-hand man and a close friend of Max Mwale. He has featured in over 30 films and 13 stunts, including Skemergrond, Taktiek, Bloody Daddy, and Tickets.
10. Omhlee Tshabalala as Esulu
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Omhle Tshabalala
- Date of birth: September 7, 2009
- Age: 15 years old (as of August 2025)
- Career: Actor
- Social media: Instagram
Tshabalala is a South African child actor. Esulu is the young son of Zenzi and Max Mwale, whose tragic death becomes a significant emotional point in the series. His loss profoundly affects Zenzi and Max, driving many of their actions and choices as they navigate the dangerous criminal world around them.
11. Shimmy Isaacs as Alice
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Shimmy Isaacs
- Date of birth: September 24, 1981
- Age: 43 years old (as of August 2025)
- Career: Actress, Writer, and Comedienne
- Social media: Instagram
Shimmy Isaacs is an award-winning actress, writer, and comedian who portrays Alice in the Unseen series. She boasts over 18 acting and three writing credits, including Mince Jou Hare, Skemergrond, and 'n Man Soos My Pa.
12. Ilse Klink as Detective Lyners
Source: Instagram
- Full name: Ilse Klink
- Date of birth: March 4, 1972
- Age: 53 years old (as of 2025)
- Career: Actress and singer
- Social media: Instagram
Ilse is a prominent singer and actress who rose to stardom for her roles in Isidingo, Inkaba, and Arendsvlei. In the Unseen series, she plays Detective Lyners, a compassionate and empathetic police officer with a motherly instinct. She uses this instinct effectively to gather information during the investigation.
FAQs
Is Unseen on Netflix based on a true story?
Unseen on Netflix is not based on a true story. Instead, it is a South African adaptation of the Turkish crime drama series Fatma, which aired in 2021.
Is Unseen on Netflix any good?
Whether the South African show is exceptional depends on personal preference. However, for its first season, it was generally well-regarded, praised for its gripping story, strong performances, and depiction of everyday South African life.
Source: Instagram
Will there be a season 3 of Unseen?
No official announcement regarding season 3 of the Netflix series Unseen has been made. Unseen season 2 premiered on May 2, 2025.
Is Unseen a South African series?
Unseen is a 2023 South African crime drama television series. It was created by Travis Taute and Daryne Joshua, who are known for their work on the critically acclaimed Netflix series Blood & Water.
Conclusion
The cast of Unseen creates a thrilling, emotionally charged drama that captivates viewers globally. Their chemistry and talent elevate the gripping storyline to new heights. This exceptional cast embodies resilience and complexity in every scene.
READ MORE: Blood and Water Netflix cast real names and photos
Briefly.co.za shared an article about Blood & Water, a South African teen drama series that premiered in 2020 on Netflix. The show follows the story of a teenage girl, Puleng, who embarks on a search for her long-lost sister, Phume.
The Netflix series also stars talented actors, including Gail Nkoane Mabalane, Mekaila Mathys, Dillon Windvogel, and Ama Qamata.
Source: Briefly News
