Relief. SABC2's
new telenovela Die Sentrum isn't set at a pharmacy. We were worried there for a while but it turns out the name has nothing to do with pills but rather how to stay off them!
The story takes place at a helpline call centre and follows eight counsellors who help callers with their troubles.
Some of these include alcoholism, domestic violence, the desperate search for love and secret lifestyles.
Of course the flappy-eared counsellors have issues of their own and the series focuses on these too as they counsel themselves and each other. This from SABC2 about the tone:
The office, politics, foibles, friendships, fights and frissons create texture and humour in the story strands.
As you know, this is the show that elbows out 7de Laan on Thursdays and Fridays at 18h00, starting on Thursday 8 April.
It's currently filming in Cape Town and it's in Afrikaans and Xhosa with English subtitles.
The lead cast are:
Carmen Maarman (Lui Maar Op, Belinda, Getroud met Rugby, Arendsvlei) as Kelly van Rensburg.
Chumani Pan (Ashes to Ashes, Shooting Stars, Montana) as Muzi Gadluma.
Keeno-Lee Hector (The Riviera, Sara se Geheim, Kompleks) as Darren Jacobs.
Esihle Mkosana (Newcomer) as Buhle Mahola.
Randy Januarie (Projek Dina) as Naomi Beukes.
Zenobia Kloppers (Sara se Geheim, Suidooster, Projek Dina) as Lucinda Jackson.
Stiaan Bruwer (Die Byl) as Kobus van Deventer.
Dustin Beck (Arendsvlei, Sara se Geheim) as Imaad Adams.
Thokozile Ntshinga (Egoli, Interrogation Room, The River) as Funeka Mdwaba and,
Kim Syster (90 Plein Street, Suidooster, Sterlopers) as Rochelle Williams.
The series is produced by Penguin Films, who make Arendsvlei for kykNET, and it's directed by Mandilakhe Yengo, who was nominated for a 2020 SAFTA
for his co-directing on Arendsvlei and a
2016 SAFTA for the Mzansi Magic drama Saints and Sinners.
Keep a lookout on TVSA for the teasers - comin' soon.