Season 1
Juffrou X (Miss X) is a South African, Afrikaans-language television drama series set in a small town school and revolving around the maths teacher and her attempts to fight the scourge of violence that hits when a new drug begins circulating amongst learners.
When you remember your school days, there are always a few things that stand out.
The highlights. The tough times. That one teacher who went out of their way to broaden your mind and open doors for you.
The caretaker who was on duty from early morning until late at night.
The people – whether it was an office lady or a guidance teacher – who were always there for you.
The school dances, friendships, exams, failures and major victories. In short: a place that prepares you for everything that awaits in life.
Some schools have all these qualities, but also a scary, harsh side that makes life extremely difficult for learners.
Poverty. Gangs. Crime. Drugs.
These are just a few of the boulders blocking the way to a brighter future for the learners of Victory Heights Secondary School in the Southern Cape.
But with a handful of people willing to do whatever it takes to separate the wheat from the chaff and to clear the way, these learners might just have a shot at success.
At Victory Heights, the final exam is just one of the challenges facing the children.
When a new deadly drug hits the rural town, it becomes a matter of life and death.
Juffrou X, the maths teacher, finds herself in the middle of a war, with the school as the prize.
She veers deeper and deeper into the world view and role of a vigilante until she must fight for her own life.
Who can be trusted? And who will ultimately prevail?
Juffrou X is produced by Meerfout Films and is written and directed by Tertius Kapp. Berdene Burger is the producer and Tina Kruger the executive producer.
The soundtrack was composed by Pierre-Henri Wicomb and the theme song "X" is performed by Yoma, with lyrics by Yoma and Tertius Kapp.
The series was filmed in George, Hoekwil and Touwsranten.
Main Characters
Inge Bester (Trix Vivier) is the tough-minded maths teacher, fully committed to her work and her children.
She comes across as cynical and authoritative, but in her heart, she's an idealist who sees potential in every child.
Jerome Smith (Clayton Evertson) is a security consultant with a few shadows in his past and the father of one of Inge's matrics.
After a tragic incident, he undertakes to help protect the school.
Archie Samuels (Gershwin Mias) is a smart and hardworking matric student who's afraid of everything.
Eventually, he outgrows the confused teenage years and asserts himself as a young leader.
Shanice Strydom (Anja Taljaard) is also in matric, a wounded girl clinging to desperate dreams.
Her difficult circumstances lead to volatile and dangerous behavioural patterns.
Lionel Snyders (Charlton George) is the caretaker and the eyes and ears of the school, but he has a past he'd like to forget.
Viola Barends (Bianca Flanders) is the school counsellor and Inge's housemate.
She doesn't fear authority and will quickly stand up for what she believes is right.
Cameron le Roux (De Klerk Oelofse) is the new, idealistic Afrikaans teacher.
He was previously employed at a private school but quickly realises there are two worlds when it comes to schools.
Capt. Hermias Kriel (André Jacobs) works for the SAPS, but very little ever comes of his investigations.
His past may not be dark, but his present sure is.
LaMont Jackson (Marlon Swarts) is a gang leader with a grudge against the school.
He's smart, and if his circumstances were different, he could have made more of his life.
Ralph Willemse (Brendon Daniels) is the headmaster of Victory Heights – a yes-man who coasts on his status and relies on his flashy tie.
Warrant Officer Didi Dlamini (Shalima Mkongi) is a single mother and works with Capt. Kriel.
She has strong principles but also becomes a valuable connection in Inge's world.
Ruben Barnard (Francois Retief) is a Grade 10 learner who lives in the woods outside the town.
The imaginative stories he writes seem to contain traces of the actual truth.
Cassandra Smith (Simone Neethling) is the star of Inge's matric class. She is hardworking, smart and everyone's favourite.
She hopes to study medicine.
Trish Kennedy (Jennifer Steyn) appears to be in charge of a rehabilitation centre in the woods, but is she everything she pretends to be?
Fransie Bester (Wilhelm van der Walt) is Inge's brother who's been missing for years.
He was mixed up with drugs but has a genius knack for chemistry.
Jason Gouws (Sean-Marco Vorster) is also a teacher at the school and Inge's secret lover.
He takes himself slightly more seriously than the rest of the staff.