Siobhan Hodgson debuted on Skemergrond last week in a classic soapie
Ding dong! moment when she walked through the door as Manny's long lost high school love Bernadette du Plessis.
And now she's rolling around in bed with him in a sauna of nostalgic steam that's making them feel like teenagers again.
This is what Bernadette needs/wants at the age of 49.
She was born and raised in Gemoedsdrif and spent years abroad, experiencing adventure, romance and disappointment.
She's finding herself at a crossroads and clings to the hope of winning Manny back.
Here's a close-up on her with insights from
Siobhan on...
Bernadette
Siobhan: Bernadette is an impulsive, sensual and free-thinking woman. She has spent most of her life chasing fantasies and men in her pursuit of the fairy tale she’s always dreamed of.
She’s a classic disruptor and escape artist. She struggles with responsibility, loves to party, and is drawn to all things new age, like yoga and astrology.
She dresses provocatively and uses her charm and flirtiness to captivate others - always seeking attention, love and security.
But behind her glittering exterior lies deep insecurity and a fear of aging and losing her appeal.
I love her bold, flirtatious side - often so inappropriate that it raised quite a few eyebrows.
On preparing for the role
Siobhan: A month before filming, I was in a remote part of India. I sometimes had to climb a mountain or sit on a hotel rooftop to get enough WiFi to watch episodes of Skemergrond and learn more about the world and the characters.
Flash fact: Siobhan's screen test for the show and styling teams helped further refine Bernadette’s look and attitude.
On her biggest challenge
Siobhan: Making sure that despite her larger-than-life personality, she didn’t come across as a caricature. I wanted her to feel real - believable and authentic.
On Manny
Siobhan: I thought the steamy scenes with Manny might be uncomfortable, but they weren’t at all. Dirk Stoltz is an absolute gentleman, and we laughed a lot.
On the flipside
Siobhan: I’m an introvert, rarely wear makeup, often forget to brush my hair, and feel most comfortable in a tracksuit and sneakers. I’m much more grounded than she is.
But we both grew up in small towns with big dreams of adventure. I’ve actually visited many of the exotic places she talks about.
On the Skemergond set
Siobhan: The actors and crew are warm, professional and incredibly talented. They take the work seriously but not themselves, and that’s my favourite kind of set.
Does Siobhan like Bernadette?
Siobhan: Yes and no. I love her adventurous, creative spirit, but not her mean streak.