In a flurry of flash bulbs next to the red carpet yesterday evening a new crop of soap stars were born - while a veteran soap star pair proved their pulling power. It was the media and press launch of M-Net's new soap The Wild that starts today, where Connie and Shona Ferguson proved their star power as a real-life couple and now starring together in the same TV show.
The Wild starting today at 18:00 on M-Net (DStv 101) and running from Mondays to Thursdays had its red carpet moment yesterday at Montecasino where the press covering television converged, along with fans, to see the cast arrive for a preview showing of the first four episodes that viewers will see this week. The Wild is directed by Alex Yazbek and executive produced and created by Bronwyn Berry.
The loudest screams at the red carpet launch event were reserved for South African soap queen Connie Ferguson who dazzled the red carpet with her husband Shona Ferguson and who both have roles and portray brand-new characters in the M-Net production.
The Wild that's filmed on location and already had its share of production drama behind the scenes, is creating a welcome crop of new soap stars for the face-starved South African consumer entertainment magazine genre. (I can break the news that last year's Idols finalist Gail Nkoane will probably be the first cover face from The Wild cast - she's set to grace Women's Health SA as only their second local female star ever.)
Besides Connie Ferguson and Shona Ferguson, the red carpet was graced by The Wild stars James Alexander who plays a game ranger in the new soap and who was accompanied by his always lovely wife Anel. Veteran actor Ian Roberts was there with his new TV grand daughter Amber van Rensburg and her TV mom, Milan Murray (above).
Viewers are going to love the ditsy character of Diksie, played to perfection by Lele Ledwaba. Other stars on the carpet who did interviews and watched the first four episodes for the first time - the first time they saw the completed episodes - were Tumisho Masha, Sam Phillips, Clemetine Mosimane and Putla Sehlapelo.
Portraying a playboy who refuses to grow up, is actor Nathaniel Ramabulana, while Ty Keogh is sure to become a new South African soap star hunk as the naughty-but-nice game ranger Jack van Reenen. Other actors who had a fun time and is now on the cast list of The Wild are Faye Peters, last year's Idols finalist Gail Nkoane and Briony Horwitz who plays the slutty-chic magazine girl who already drops all her clothes in the 3rd episode to canoodle naked in the hot tub with a game ranger.
