Season 1
Die Sentrum (The Centre) is a South African telenovela which revolves around a group of eight diverse counsellors who work together at a helpline call centre.
Although they spend their time helping callers with their personal issues, each one of the counsellors has their own challenges to overcome.
The series explores socially relevant issues which reflect the present times in South Africa, with callers' stories providing another layer of social reality in each episode.
Alcoholism, domestic violence, a desperate search for love and secret lifestyles are some of the subjects the counsellors need to deal with – not only over the telephone, but in their personal lives as well.
The counsellors try not to judge their callers, but rather assist them however they can, from people just needing someone to lend an ear, to life threatening situations.
The series stars Carmen Maarman as Kelly, Chumani Pan as Muzi, Keeno-Lee Hector as Darren, Esihle Mkosana as Buhle, Randy Januarie as Naomi, Zenobia Kloppers as Lucinda, Stiaan Bruwer as Kobus, Dustin Beck as Imaad, Thoko Ntshinga as Funeka and Kim Syster as Rochelle.
Die Sentrum was created and produced by Penguin Films with producers Mandilakhe Yengo, Sheena Lee Hendricks and Robert Durrant. Directors include Mandilakhe Yengo and Liezl Spies.
The head writer is Rosalind Butler, with a writing team including Johann Davis, Henry Cloete, Tristram Atkins, Stephen Simm, Ricardo Arendse and Sinovuyo Jwacu.
The series was filmed in Cape Town and is broadcast in Afrikaans and Xhosa, with English subtitles.
Original music is by Murray Anderson.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Carmen Maarman ... Kelly van Rensburg
Chumani Pan ... Muzi Gadluma
Keeno-Lee Hector ... Darren Jacobs
Esihle Mkosana ... Buhle Mahola
Randy Januarie ... Naomi Beukes
Zenobia Kloppers ... Lucinda Jackson
Stiaan Bruwer ... Kobus van Deventer
Dustin Beck ... Imaad Adams (as Dustin Black)
Thoko Ntshinga ... Funeka Mdwaba (as Thokozile Ntshinga)
Kim Syster ... Rochelle Williams
Recurring / Guests
Lea Vivier ... Daleen le Roux
Chantal Herman ... Pam Jacobs
Mateo Olivier ... Zane Jacobs
Leighman Marshall ... Tommy (as Leighman Marshal)
Lauren Scholtz ... Jessica
Carin Bester ... Vicky
Vanessa Lee ... Belinda (Pam's Mother)
Paul Savage ... Paul (Pam's Father)
Rudy Visagie ... Pastor (as Rudi Visagie)
Marius du Plooy ... Rikus
Milton Schorr ... Frederick (as Milton Schoor)
Eldon van der Merwe ... Cheslin
Justine Joseph ... Phone-in Agent 1
Andrew Dennison ... Phone-in Agent 2
Anelisa Sigabi ... Phone-in Agent 3 (as Anelise Phila Sigabi)
Jonan Mouton ... Lucas van Rensburg
Van Lee Johnson ... Nathan van Rensburg
Stephanie Hough ... Nicola Kruger
Tristan du Preez ... Justin (Bully)
Zinedine Manus ... Kurt (Bully)
Lance Soldaat ... Fanie (Bully)
Pierre van Heerden ... Charles
Riaan Ellis ... Sgt Pieterse
Carin Bester ... Vicky
Dennis Stander ... Principal Koopman
Silvia Esau ... Rochelle's Mother
Rasheeqah Karen ... Newsreader
Ilse-Lee van Niekerk ... Iris (as Ilse Lee van Niekerk)
Megan Saayman ... Candice Smith
Gaby Daniels ... Naomi's Friend
Jane Michaels ... Teacher
Anmari Oosthuizen ... Receptionist
Chris Gxalaba ... Steve Gadluma
Christian Bennett ... Master of Ceremonies / Marvin
Christiaan du Toit ... Bank Consultant
Mbulelo Grootboom ... Errol (Bouncer)
Riana Alfreds ... Naomi's Mother
Jeremeo Le Cordeur ... Barman
Lilah Davies ... Sally
Carl Anthony Weber ... Uncle Bert (as Carl Webber)
Thandy Matlaila ... Bapsi Mahola
Deon Lotz ... James Burgess
Schae Pietersen ... Amilcar
Braeden Buys ... Sky
Karen Arends ... Amilcar's Mother Ameena
Carmen Engelbrecht ... Didi
Mkhuseli Richard Tafane ... Xolani Ndlovu (as Richard Tafane)
Mekaila Mathys ... Layla Adams
Mehboob Bawa ... Abdul Kareem Adams
Foziah Davidson ... Mumtaz Adams
Lee Roodt ... Reezan Abrahams
Andria Kok ... Lize Kruger
Michaela Nightingale ... Sheetal (as Mikaela Nightingale)
Lernice Parker ... Sheetal's Mother
Hein de Vries ... Sheetal's Father
Ambrose Uren ... David (Tommy's Father)
Roeline Daneel ... Switchboard Lady
Hendrik Cronje ... Clive
Ceagan Arendse ... Jemma's Father
Stephren Saayman ... Photographer (as Stephen Saayman)
Chelsea Thomas ... Jemma
Anna Louise Boshoff ... Bryony
Liande Valentyn ... Jemma's Mother
Soné Kuün ... Bryony
Anathi Rubela ... Khaya
Lana Scott ... Natalie
Stian Bam ... Bryony's Father
Amor Tredoux ... Esmee van Deventer
Electra Hartman ... Caller (voice)
Francois Potgieter ... Willem Kruger
Charlene Wolmarans ... Bella
Regardt Laubscher ... Magician (as Regardt Loubser)
Emily Rose ... Cassy
Margie Pankhurst ... Hester
Elsabe Daneel ... Trudy Retief
Darren Amos ... Mohammad
Joanie Combrink ... Connie
Francois Coertze ... Danny
Kanya Viljoen ... Sanette
Zolie Markey ... Maria
Khadija Heeger ... Kelly's Mother Abigail
Mila Guy ... Marietjie Maritz
Dané de Waal ... Lily
Siobhan Hodgson ... Mother (as Shioban Hodgson)
Cody Winter ... Son
Ettienne Gertse ... Dustin
Carla Diamond ... Shereldene
Jurgen McEwan ... Joseph (as Jurgen Mc Ewan)
Sesethu Zamxaka ... Sindiswa (as Sesthu Zamxaka)
Finn Adendorff ... Boy 1
Cole Wessels ... Boy 2
Gavin Gomes ... Abdul's Client
Hein Poole ... Gabe
Adolph de Beer ... Ben
Emile Hager ... Christo
Jandre le Roux ... Doctor
Riaan Visman ... Gina
Elsabé Viljoen ... Belle
Almar Müller ... Len
Martelize Kolver ... Joan van Rooyen
Pierre van Pletzen ... Jaco
Michele Burgers ... Marta
Wiseman Sithole ... Sandla
Mandilakhe Yengo ... Head Judge
Lynita Crofford ... Brenda Badenhorst
Stella Boje ... Leah le Roux
Shaun Smith ... Herman
Blake Pharo ... Tertius
Andre Roothman ... Dawie
Ian Strauss ... Greg
Aphiwe Kani ... Andile