Theodore Jantjies known as Xander is the next longtime actor exiting SABC2's 7de Laan, with the Afrikaans weekday soap adding Duncan Johnson and Nazli George as the new Peterson family joining the fictional Hillside-set community.
After 14 years of portraying Xander Meintjies, Theodore Jantjies will have his last on-screen appearance in 7de Laan on 14 January 2020.
"It is always sad to say goodbye to a beloved character like Xander Meintjies. Theodore is highly talented and the consummate professional and we wish him the very best in his future," says Thandi Ramathesele, 7de Laan's executive producer.
Theodore Jantjies says "Xander Meintjies has been a part of my life for 14 years, and we have shared ups and downs, tears of joy and heartaches".
"For more than a decade, I have had the privilege to get to know this character and share him with all of you, in all his perfect and often imperfect glory."
"To be a part of one of South Africa's most beloved shows, 7de Laan, has been one of the highlights of my career as an actor, and I am most grateful to Danie Odendaal and Annie Basson for the opportunity they granted me 14 years ago."
"I am grateful to the 7de Laan management, cast and crew, who have entrusted me with a wide variety of storylines that could move, inspire and motivate viewers. I am humbled by how these opportunities have challenged me as an actor."
That being said, the time has finally come, for a new adventure and for me to bid farewell to 7de Laan and Xander Meintjies."
Xander arrived in Hillside 14 years ago as law graduate fresh out of university and ready to fulfill his ambitions of becoming a lawyer. As Neville’s youngest son, Xander has always been more reserved than his brother, Vince.
Xander married the love of his life, Vanessa, and they went on to parent Karmen. Family secrets and shocking revelations, such as finding out he didn’t share the same father with Vince as they were led to believe, threatened to tear the Meintjies family apart.
As if that wasn’t enough, he fell in love with his brother’s wife Bonita, and fathered a child, Daniel, with her. True to his character, Xander worked hard to mend broken relationships and still reaps the consequences of his actions, trying to co-parent his children.
Peterson's set to stir
Ivy Peterson will be "a doting wife and mother to Marvin and their children".
"A woman’s resilience is portrayed through this character, who stands by her husband for better or for worse, but how much can one woman endure?" this character's initial descriptor says.
7de Laan says the soap is "confident that viewers will be entertained by Duncan Johnson and Nazli George's portrayal of Marvin and Ivy Peterson".
