Cast of M-Net's Summertide sea-setshow filled with soap alums and CGI penguins.

by Thinus Ferreira

M-Net (DStv 101) has announced the cast of its upcoming generations-spanning drama series Summertide with Frank Rautenbach, Monique Rockman, Tyrone Keogh (right), Andre Jacobs and Terry Norton headlining the Cape South Peninsula sea-set show.

Summertide - an ambitious 52-episode drama which will unspool from late January 2024 on M-Net on Sunday evenings at 18:00 as the Carte Blanche lead-in - is produced by Red Letter Day Pictures and is currently filming in and around Cape Town's South Peninsula, including Simon's Town, Kommetjie and Kalk Bay. 

Written and lensed by the married production duo Corné and René van Rooyen, Summertide is described as a multi-generational drama series exploring "the profound depths of grief and the transformative power of love".

Summertide tells the story of marine biologist and father of two children, Martin Field Frank Rautenbach, left), who moves to the False Bay area to get away from a big secret – the death of his wife. There he starts a marine conservation trust for False Bay but life isn't as simple as it seems.

The series explores the lives of the Field family and the interesting characters who cross their paths, each one with their own secrets and desires. 

Headlining Summertide is Frank Rautenbach as charismatic marine biologist Martin, with Monique Rockman portraying a Michelin-star chef and Martin's former lover, Rebecca. She is currently in a relationship with his brother.

Also on the call sheet are veteran stage and screen actors Andre Jacobs and Terry Norton as Martin's parents Jack and Wilma Field.

Starring as Martin's children, the 16-year-old Tristan and 10-year-old Lucy are Jan Combrink and Evangelina Hallock.

Tyrone Keogh who was seen in M-Net's soap opera The Wild will be seen in the role of Martin's brother, Gavin a hedonistic retired professional surfer. 

Other talented additions include Ntombi Makhutshi who will also appear in M-Net's upcoming crime thriller drama series Devil’s Peak, Cassiel Eatock-Winnik, Euodia Samson, Maurice Carpede and Morné Visser. Amalia Uys is Martin's deceased wife Julia.

Interestingly Summertide will also feature two penguins brought to screen with the help of CGI special effects.

ALSO READ: M-Net names its year-at-the-seaside new drama series set in Simon's Town as Summertide.

M-Net names its year-at-the-seaside new drama series set in Simon's Town as Summertide.

by Thinus Ferreira

M-Net (DStv 101) has named its year-at-the-seaside series from Red Letter Day Productions set in Simon's Town as Summertide with the 52-episode drama which will debut on the channel in January 2024.

The local production from Corné and René van Rooyen who have helmed the drama series Alles Malan, on kykNET (DStv 144) as well as the films Vaselinetjie and Moorivier – follows a widowed marine biologist with two children who relocates to Simon's Town in the Western Cape province following to start a penguin rehabilitation centre.

Currently in development, Martin Field has two teenage children, Tristan and Lucy. 

Summertide will include his parents - retired naval commander Jack and his mother Wilma - as well as his brother Gavin described as "a surfer who leads a careless life of sleeping around and repeatedly losing jobs".

Martin also gets reacquainted with his first romantic love interest Rebecca Solomons who worked as a Michelin star chef in New York. M-Net and Red Letter Day Productions haven't yet announced any casting.

"We are incredibly excited about this new series and the creative team involved in bringing it to life," says Waldimar Pelser, M-Net director of premium channels. "Prepare for an unforgettable journey with an authentic family set against the picturesque backdrop of False Bay."

Red Letter Day Productions says "We are thrilled to be introducing our Simon's Town Field family to South African audiences and take them on a highly entertaining weekly journey where we explore the themes of family, love, and community against the backdrop of saving the oceans in the incredible setting of False Bay."

ALSO READ: M-Net touts local dramas, new kykNET bridge-building competition at showcase.