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Casting Calls

How to land a role on South Africa's version of Ugly Betty uBettina Wethu

Written by TVSA Team from the blog Casting Calls on 11 Jan 2021
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Cool stuff! 

The search is on for the star of Mzansi's adaptation of Ugly Betty. 

There's a remake on the way titled uBettina Wethu and the production's looking to cast the lead role, as well as two other main roles via open auditions.

The series first came to life in Colombia as "Yo soy Betty, la fea" and has since been refashioned by 23 countries including Egypt, Netherlands and Russia.

Our South African version will be the first to feature a black Betty and a majority-black cast.

What you need to know

It's being co-produced by online streamer Viu and Known Associates Entertainment, who produced TV series Keeping Score, Hustle and Emoyeni under the name Fireworx Media.

Tshepiso Sello is at the helm as producer for Known Associates and it's going to air on both SABC1 and Viu in April this year.

This is the scenario:
 

uBettina Wethu’s main premise follows the journey of a wholesome, intelligent, but gawky, people-pleaser with a dated, unsophisticated sense of style.

She finds her self-worth and image challenged when she is employed at Nubia, a brand management company, a place where at times, people value image over substance.

Bettina Sikhakane is a kind-hearted, smart, career-focused woman, with a dream of running her own company but when she lands a job as the PA to Nubia's new MD, she has to contend with her colleague's assumption that because of her quirky style and kindness, she must be stupid.

All this while battling her growing love for her boss, which clouds her already blurred boundaries posing a risk to a job that means everything to her.


What you REALLY need to know

The three characters you can audition for are as follows:

Bettina: the lead character,
Dingaan: a main character and Bettina’s love interest,
Linda: Dingaan’s mother and Bettina's boss.

How to audition

You need to download the script for the character you want to audition for and video a scene of yourself performing the role of your chosen character.

You can download the script on the official website. You'll find it under the application form here >> uBettina Wethu auditions

Here's a direct link to the scripts: Audition Scripts

You need to fill in the audition application form and WhatsApp your video to this number: 087 240 5150

Application closing date: 15 January 2021

What happens next

The public will be able to vote for their favourite auditions on the website. Shortlisted candidates will be announced shortly after the 15 January closing date.

A selection process that takes audience votes into account will result in three preliminary selections for each character and these people will then proceed to the closed auditions stage.

Will this be You? You'll never know if you don't try. Break a leg!

 

Shows in this post: uBettina Wethu, Ugly Betty

Channels in this post: SABC1



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