Season 1
Appels en Tee (Apples and Tea) is a South African, Afrikaans-language television drama series which revolves around two childhood friends who reunite after 27 years.
"Blood is thicker, but tea is stronger."
In Paradysbos, Lisa Rossouw's life seems perfect. She runs a flourishing tea garden alongside her respected husband and exemplary son.
When the De Klerks drive into another car in front of the tea garden, her long-lost friend Henriëtte reappears after 27 years.
Is it coincidence or fate?
The De Klerks have lost their farm, and Lisa offers them a refuge until they get back on their feet. This brings back old memories and reopens old wounds.
The series moves between the present and the Langkloof in the nineties, where the close teenage friends Lisa and Henriëtte shared their dreams, but a series of dark secrets ultimately drove them apart.
With the friends' reunion, Griet, Henriëtte's mother, and Jakkals, Lisa's father, must face their own wounds and grudges.
Annie, Henriëtte's daughter, must come to terms with her deafness and forms an unusual friendship with Lisa's son, Francois.
Fresh apples symbolise the innocent past, while tea – much like true friendship – provides medicine for the present.
It's a coming-of-age story in which different generations must brave a new phase of life.
Diaan Lawrenson plays the role of Lisa, and Tinarie van Wyk-Loots is Henriëtte.
Griet is portrayed by Rika Sennett and Bianca Langedyk is Annie.
Lisa's husband, Dawid Rossouw, is played by Ivan Zimmermann; and Neels van Jaarsveld is Henriëtte's husband, Wessel de Klerk.
Ian Roberts is Jakkals Boshoff and Jacques Erasmus plays the role of Lisa and Dawid's son, Francois.
Hannah Borthwick, Rika Sennett's actress daughter, plays the young Griet; and Hendrik Cronjé is the young Jakkals.
Anya Human is Lisa and Nicola Nothnagel is Henriëtte in 1998.
The series was filmed in the Langkloof, Hoekwil and along the Garden Route.
Appels en Tee is produced by Meerfout Films, with series producer and director Berdene Burger.
Tina Kruger is the head writer and executive producer with Berdene Burger and Gita Fourie as co-writers.
Tasché and Janine Neethling composed the theme song; original music is by Neethling.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Diaan Lawrenson ... Lisa
Tinarie van Wyk-Loots ... Henriëtte
Rika Sennett ... Griet
Ian Roberts ... Jakkals
Neels van Jaarsveld ... Wessel
Ivan Zimmermann ... Dawid
Bianca Langedyk ... Annie
Jacques Erasmus ... Francois
Recurring / Guests
Hendrik Cronje ... Young Jakkals
Hannes Muller ... Parries
Anya Human ... Young Lisa
Nicola Nothnagel ... Young Henriëtte
Hannah Borthwick ... Young Griet
Lian Strydom ... Young Wessel
Christian Schoeman ... Stefan
Julian Marone ... Celeste
Moses Williams ... Jaycee
Sibongile Mlambo ... Bongiwe
Ilze Tulleken ... Reinette (as Ilze Tulken)
Angi Williams ... Paramedic
Trudie Niehaus ... Tannie Riana
Fanie Walkenshaw ... Simon
Shannon Kiewiet ... Organist
Risha Lotter ... Grace
Herman Hardick ... Alex