A streaming sensation

Since its global debut in May, South African teen-mystery drama Blood and Water’s ranked in Netflix’s top-10 chart in many countries, and it’s the first to reach number one in the US. Meet the talented female-led cast.

- SHANNON MANUEL

Natasha Thahane made her TV debut on eKasi: Our Stories, and has since become a much-loved staple on Mzansi. She’s bestknown for her role on Skeem Saam, her confident personality, gorgeous looks and ever-changing hairstyles.

G: You were going to be an accountant. Why did you pursue acting?

Natasha Thahane: I love numbers, so I thought that was what I wanted to do. My mom encouraged me to act after I was cast in my first role at an open audition when I was 18. She believed it was my calling. I’ve always enjoyed watching movies and musicals, so getting into acting felt right. Now, I can’t shake it out of me; it’s in my veins.

G: Tell us about your character?

NT: Wendy’s an interesting character: she’s the editor of a school magazine, a rule-breaker and a justice-seeker. You’ll either love her or hate her.

G: It’s the second Netflix Original production in Africa.

NT: I feel like a trailblazer. I’ve enjoyed every aspect of it, from the audition process to filming. And the audience loves it.

G: Are South Africans good storytellers?

NT: I believe we’re telling good stories, but the continent’s a source of untapped potential, so there are many more to come. We can use platforms like Netflix to share our stories with the rest of the world.

G: Why do you think more people are ditching TV for online content, and how does the entertainment industry need to adapt?