Former ‘Shaka iLembe’ Actor Thandolwethu Zondi on His New Role in ‘Outlaws’ S2
- Thandolwethu Zondi is the latest addition to the all-star cast in the Showmax drama series, Outlaws
- Having joined the cast in the second season, the former Shaka iLembe actor spoke about his new show and what fans can expect from his character and the dynamic he finds himself in
- Fans of the show welcomed Zondi with open arms as he added another layer of drama and intrigue to the action-packed series
- Briefly News got exclusive insight into the actor's new role, challenges and his tricky love story
Source: Instagram
South African actor Thandolwethu Zondi has been cast in the new season of the Showmax Western blockbuster series, Outlaws.
Fresh off an incredible performance on Shaka iLembe, the award-winning KwaZulu-Natal actor stars as Mthunzi Biyela, the sweet new love interest in Buang (Mamodibe Ramodibe)'s life, whose romance has stirred serious family tension.
In an interview exclusively shared with Briefly News, the 23-year-old actor described joining one of his favourite local shows as a dream come true.
"I was already such a fan of season one; my family and friends loved it too, even before I got cast. I remember calling my mom after the confirmation and just crying. Being part of Season 2 of one of my favourite South African shows is incredible."
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The actor, who also stars in Netflix's Love and Wine, spoke about being torn between his love for Buang and his loyalty to his family, and finding himself having to channel his character's emotions.
"I had to dig deep because I was still discovering Mthunzi. I had to start by asking myself: have I ever been in love to a point where it could cost me my loyalty? As I explored him, I realised the only person who truly loved Mthunzi was his mother, and she had passed away.
"He was loyal towards the people who weren’t loyal to him. When he met Buang and fell in love with her, that love surpassed the loyalty he had for his family."
He described his relationship with Buang as "the classic opposites-attract dynamic," a story of people who were never meant to be in love but actually share a deep and strong, somewhat forbidden connection.
Coming from Shaka iLembe, Thandolwethu said the choreographed scenes and intense stunt training from the show helped prepare him for the action-packed Outlaws scenes.
However, he described some scenes on Outlaws that tested him both physically and emotionally.
"Emotionally, I think the altercations with Bandile and my parents; those were intense. Physically, there were scenes where I had to walk barefoot across the North West terrain, and there was a scene on the bus where it was extremely hot."
Zondi's entry falls on the heels of actress Nosipho Pehlo's final bow as Nolwandle Biyela on the show. Episode 20 of the second season was a turning point in the show when Nolwandle died, leaving her family behind.
Speaking to Briefly News, Nosipho explained how she processed the emotions and prepared for her final scenes on the show.
"By the time I stepped onto set, I had already processed most of the heavy emotions. When I first read the script and realised Nolwandle would die, leaving behind a husband and two children, I went through that grief privately.
"So when it came time to film, I was actually at peace. My focus was simply to tell the story as truthfully and organically as possible. Nosipho knew how the story would end, but Nolwandle didn’t. In her mind, she believed she would survive and be reunited with her family. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case."
Outlaws Season 2 streams on Showmax every Monday and plays on Mzansi Magic, DStv channel 161 every Saturday.
Source: Instagram
Social media reacts to Outlaws season two
Online users reacted to the latest episode that saw Buang and Mthunzi faced with a life-or-death situation.
simplympho said:
"Baung will never kill Mthunzi; she is in love with Mthunzi."
diiteb0ho wrote:
"Why is Nyakallo involving himself in these youngsters' relationship? I get that he's the enemy and all, but come on."
leb7987 was not impressed:
"I really like Outlaws so much; however, I feel like this season feels as if something is just not right. I love the storyline so far, it’s amazing, but the story is not displayed, or I don’t receive it as authentic as it was in season one. I don’t want to compare, but that is how it feels. I will continue to watch, still, can’t wait to see how it unfolds."
vigilanceblues responded:
"Bandile might cause chaos and rectify it later."
Uthando Nesthembu makes dramatic return
In an earlier report, Briefly News shared online reactions to the trailer of Uthando Nesthembu Uncut.
The new season promises to deliver several never-before-seen, explosive clips from the Mseleku clan, months after the season eight finale left fans hanging.
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Source: Briefly News
