Shaleen Surtie-Richards as Arendsvlei’s Muriel: Return-story got fully filmed and wrapped last week with character that will be on screen again on kykNET & Kie from September.

by Thinus Ferreira

Shaleen Surtie-Richards (66) who unexpectedly died on Monday during her sleep finished filming her last scenes as retired nurse Muriel Foster in Arendsvlei last week on Thursday and when the character returns in September the character's latest arc will wrap with a complete story.

South Africa's film and TV industry were shocked on Monday when news broke that the iconic actress had passed away, especially the cast and crew of the Penguin Films-produced Arendsvlei in Cape Town where Shaleen just days before still filmed scenes after she returned for on-screen work in a recurring role.

Shaleen Surtie-Richards made her first appearance in Arendsvlei in 2019 as the mother of Lionel Foster (Jody Abrahams) and returned in late May this year for another 3-week stint of filming.

DStv subscribers will see Shaleen Surtie-Richards again appear on kykNET & Kie (DStv 145) from September but Arendsvlei producers don't have to alter the script or do blunt editing - Shaleen filmed and completed her character's entire upcoming return story last week.

"She finished her last scenes on Thursday," Tarryn Joseph, Arendsvlei publicist told TVwithThinus.

"Shaleen's final filmed scenes haven't gone to editing yet, so it can still change but the character of Muriel will be seen in Arendsvlei on kykNET & Kie for roughly half a month."

"It is with the saddest heart we heard of the passing of our beloved Sharleen who has graced our screens and theatre boards with her extraordinary presence and talent over the years," says Penguin Films.

"Sharleen has just completed filming her part as Muriel Foster with us on Thursday in good spirits. So it was indeed a shock to hear of her passing. Sharleen tackled her role as Muriel with the same enthusiasm, generosity, and talent that she has tackled all of her roles, most noticeably as Fiela in Fiela se Kind and Nenna in Egoli: Plek van Goud."

"We wish her family and friends strength and deep condolences as we were all touched by Sharleen’s generous spirit. May her beautiful soul rest in peace."

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