Actress Crystal-Donna Roberts (40) dead after losing battle against cancer

by Thinus Ferreira

Actress Crystal-Donna Roberts has died after losing her battle against stage four breast cancer. She was 40.

Crystal-Donna Roberts who has been in hospital for a period of time battling cancer, died early on Thursday morning in her sleep at home.

Her husband, Schalk Cornelessen who she married in October 2015, on Thursday morning said "Rest in peace my beautiful, beautiful, loving wife".

Crystal-Donna Roberts was known for her role of Janice Mortlock in the soap Arendsvlei on kykNET (DStv 144) and won a Safta award in 2018 for her portrayal of Krotoa in the Krotoa 2017-film. 

In 2019 she revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy after she felt a lump in her breast in March 2018. She also quit smoking.

After her mastectomy, cancer cells had spread to her certain glands, for which she got chemotherapy and lost her trademark hair.

Crystal-Donna Roberts who grew up in Cape Town, got her BA degree in drama and theatre at the University of the Free State after which she returned to Cape Town where she was a drama teacher at a school before her career as an actress took off.

Besides six seasons of Arendsvlei she was a field presenter on SABC2's Pasella and appeared in SABC2's 7de Laan soap as Janine.

Other TV roles included Die Boland Moorde, Die Byl, Die Spreeus, Fraksie, Fynskrif, Karavaan, Kompleks, Mense Mense, Montana, Projek Dina, Getroud met Rugby, Vloeksteen, Swartwater as well as Vallei van Sluiers.

In film she had roles in Die Ongelooflike Avonture van Hanna Hoekom, Skeem, Chronicle, The Endless River, and Tussen As en Hoop.

On stage she appeared in Little Shop of Horrors, Bidsprinkaan, Rome & Juliet: Unplugged, Rondomskrik, and Siener in die Suburbs.

Film producer Roberta Durrant of Penguin Films, says "We at Penguin Films are devastated by the passing of Crystal-Donna Roberts - an absolute professional, modest despite her unique and exceptional talent".

"Her portrayal of Krotoa, for which she garnered a Safta for Best actress in a feature film, was monumental and the reason the film gained so much international recognition."

"Her portrayal of Janice in Arendsvlei, for which she received two Safta nominations, was loved by all - feisty, sexy, yet deeply emotional."

"Having worked closely with her over several years, I witnessed her struggle with cancer. Throughout her treatment, she was determined to work - her innate strength and commitment were extraordinary and admirable."

"She will be missed by her colleagues and by all the South African viewers who loved her. Her legacy will live on through her body of work. Rest in peace, dear Crystal. Deep, heartfelt condolences to her family and those closest to her."

kykNET in a statement says "We share in the sorrow over the passing of Crystal-Donna Roberts, a remarkable actress known for her award-winning role in Krotoa and her gripping portrayals in Arendsvlei and Fynskrif".

"Our thoughts are with her husband, family and everyone who loved her during this time. Her talent and passion leave an indelible mark on our hearts".

More to come ...

'Characters all carrying dark secrets': Skemergrond to replace Arendsvlei as new Afrikaans telenovela on kykNET&kie from July.

by Thinus Ferreira

A new telenovela Skemergrond, set in a small Western Cape town will replace the popular Arendsvlei from July on kykNET&kie (DStv 145) with the new Afrikaans show also produced by Penguin Films and filled with characters "all carrying dark secrets".

Once the cancelled Arendsvlei ends, Skemergrond will also broadcast four episodes weekly from Mondays to Thursdays in the 19:30 timeslot on kykNET&kie. Casting that will include veteran actors as well as new faces is still to be announced.

The new telenovela is set in Gemoedsdrif, a small town in the Western Cape where the Louw family has a flower farm. 

The Louw lives are thrown into tumult when guests arrive unexpectedly, threatening to divulge shocking family secrets.

Roxanne Blaise who starred in Sara se Geheim and M-Net's upcoming White Lies is the principal director and also worked as director on Arendsvlei.

"We're ecstatic over this fantastic opportunity," says Roxanne Blaise. "The fresh and exciting cast will bring an epic family saga to television. Skemergrond is set in the rural Western Cape and the flower markets of Cape Town, filled with interesting characters who are all carrying dark secrets".

The other director on Skemergrond is Marissa Drummond who starred in kykNET series like Suidooster and Spoorloos: Die eiland. Bobby Stuurman who did director training on Arendsvlei is the dialogue coach and apprentice director on the new show. 

The Skemergrond writers' room consists of Jo-Ann Scholtz, Johann Davis, Alyzzander Fourie, Margaret Goldsmid, Meesha Aboo, Kanya Viljoen, Lauren Scholtz, Henry Cloete and Tristam Atkins.

Skemergrond's creative producers are veteran producer Roberta Durrant and Andrea Frankson-Titus.

"We've brought together an exceptional cast and a brilliant crew behind the scenes to tell a multi-faceted story filled with secrets, love and revenge," says Roberta Durrant. "Viewers will be captivated and surprised by all of the emotional twists and turns."

kykNET reveals cast of new Diepe Waters telenovela as several actors tread water in the same timeslot and newcomers take a dive into TV.

by Thinus Ferreira

kykNET has revealed the cast of its upcoming new Afrikaans telenovela Diepe Waters, with several faces from the cancelled Getroud met Rugby soap staying put and treading water in the same TV timeslot, while several new and veteran actors have been added to the Penguin Films produced series.

Set around a competitive South African swimming club, Diepe Waters will start on Monday 3 October in the 18:00-timeslot on kykNET (DStv 144).

Diepe Waters makes use of the existing Coronationville indoor swimming pool in Glencairn Street in Johannesburg for exterior scenes, as well as new studio-based sets constructed in Johannesburg.

On Tuesday evening kykNET revealed the cast at a poolside media event at the Hotel Sky in Sandton, Johannesburg, that included a Q&A with the cast and crew, as well as kykNET executives.

The Diepe Waters cast includes veteran actors like Justin Strydom, Sandi Schultz, Nadia Valvekens, Neels van Jaarsveld, Lea Vivier, Werner Coetser, Altus Theart, Lizz Meiring, Rika Sennet and Eloise Cupido, alongside a crop of new actors.

Justin Strydom plays Gys Swarts who lives beyond his means with his ambition and drive causing him to hurt people close to him.

Sandi Schultz is the scheming Zelda, bent on taking revenge on Gys.

Lea Vivier is Meghan, with Werner Coetser in the role of Jacques, one of Gys' sons. Altus Theart plays the role of Gys' eldest son, Rossouw. Rossouw is married to Sanet (Nadia Valvekens). These two seem happy on the surface, but their true colours show behind closed doors.

Rossouw and Sanet have two children, Johan (Liam Bosman) and Karla (Danielle Swanepoel).

Reandi Grey plays the role of Anja, who left the country 20 years ago. Now she is suddenly back in South Africa and has a lot on her mind. 

Lizz Meiring has been cast as Auntie Bybie Bekker, who carries a big secret with her.

Stephanie Baartman plays the role of Lettie who owns the coffee shop, Lettie's Keffie.

"We asked the actors together to see if they work well together. You have to get the cast right, because I believe it is 90% of the success of a series," says Roberta Durrant, creative producer.

Lucia Meyer-Marais, kykNET commissioning editor, says "because a large part of the story revolves around a swimming school, many of the characters had to prove they could swim".

"The group of actors fit each role like a glove. To be able to see and hear how they interpret the storylines we've been working on for months and months, is wonderful."

ALSO READ: kykNET hopes to make a splash with Diepe Waters as a new swim club set telenovela from Penguin Films starting in October 2022.

kykNET hopes to make a splash with Diepe Waters as a new swim club set telenovela from Penguin Films starting in October 2022.

by Thinus Ferreira

kykNET is hoping to make a splash with a new Afrikaans telenovela, Diepe Waters, from October, set in and around the pool of a competitive swimming club where secrets and revenge inside and away from the water, abound.

The new Afrikaans telenovela that M-Net's Afrikaans kykNET division said it will launch this year is Diepe Waters, produced by Penguin Films in Cape Town, telling the story of the various people involved with a competitive swimming club.

Diepe Waters, with 208 episodes, splashing onto kykNET (DStv 144) in October, will have four stacked weekly episodes from Mondays to Thursdays at 18:00.

Penguin Films, also responsible for kykNET series like Arendsvlei, Afgrond and Projek Dina will mine the fictional Die Swartmarlyne swimming club for stories "filled with intrigue, secrets, illegal loves and above all a story with heart and depth", according to kykNET.

"Diepe Waters has been created by a world-class team who knows and tries to understand the kykNET viewers and the South Africa of today even better," says Waldimar Pelser, M-Net director of kykNET channels.

"Our aim is to tell engrossing, authentic stories with which viewers can start their evening's viewing enjoyment."

kykNET and Penguin Films haven't announced the cast but is providing character descriptions.

Die Swartmarlyne swimming club is a family-owned business of Gys Swarts in which his sons, Rossouw and Jacques are also involved, and with his grandkids, teenager Karla and Johan who are included as swimming team members.

Karla is under pressure to be a swimming champion with her mom Sanet pressuring her to get an overseas swimming scholarship. Jacques is the sexy swimming coach while Zelda Joubert is the owner of the beauty salon Skinvestment and Pam is her daughter.

Lettie runs the coffee shop and Henry is the new caretaker of the club whose son, Tshepo is a threat to Johan's reputation.

Roberta Durrant, creative producer, says Diepe Waters is "unusual and about something else, yet a telenovela about love, secrets and intrigue, as well as revenge. We have an amazing cast and interesting setting and we hope viewers will resonate with it".

IN IMAGES. The Arendsvlei telenovela on kykNET & kie marks its 500th episode with cake and sparkling wine.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Arendsvlei telenovela on kykNET & Kie (DStv 145) will broadcast its 500th episode tonight at 19:30 and celebrated the milestone on Wednesday at Atlantic Studios in Milnerton with sparkling wine and cake.

The telenovela, produced by Penguins Films, made its debut on 1 October 2018 as a single season series but DStv ratings prompted kykNET to commission it for a further two seasons and to increase episode to four episodes per week from Mondays to Thursdays.

Arendsvlei, filmed at Atlantic Studios in Montague Gardens and Eersteriver, stars Jolene Martin, Jody Abrahams, Crystal Donna Roberts, Melanie du Bois, Kay Smith and many more with Vinette Ebrahim, Chris van Niekerk, Natalia da Rocha and Dann-Jacques Mouton who joined from the third season.

Roberta Durrant, creative producer of Arendsvlei, says she is incredibly grateful to kykNET that they gave Penguin Films the opportunity to tell this story.

"We were able to develop many talents in Cape Town through Arendsvlei. Young actors got their first roles on Arendsvlei and we were able to develop and train new directors, writers, editors and crew members."

Theltom Masimila, creative producer and creator of Arendsvlei, says he is extremely proud of the actors and production team for all the hard work they put in.

"We look forward to telling the stories of the people of Arendsvlei for a very long time to come. And most important of all, we are grateful to the viewers because without them such a production would not exist."

kykNET’s Cape Town set Arendsvlei telenovela from Penguin Films adding a 4th weekly episode from it's third season.

by Thinus Ferreira

M-Net's Afrikaans channels division kykNET has decided to extend its Cape Town set telenovela Arendsvlei to 4 episodes per week from the upcoming third season on kykNET & kie (DStv 145) with a unspecified changes also coming to its talk show Tussen Ons.

From 1 October Arendsvlei, produced by Penguin Films, will increase the weekly episodes from 3 to 4, with a new group of high school pupils at High School Arendsvlei joining the cast, as well as other new characters.

kykNET made the announcement about the longer third season during MultiChoice's 2020 DStv Showcase media presentation that took place on Wednesday afternoon.

Ilse Klink arrives to play the mother of Bmpbie Galant (Jarrid Galant), while Captain Krige (Brendan Daniels) arrives from Clanwilliam. Natalie (Carmen Maarman) uses her charm to get what she wants at all cost and other people's happiness.

Arendsvlei, originally commissioned as a single-season telenovela was eventually turned into an ongoing telenovela series.

"Since the beginning of the second season viewers have been asking for a third season," says Roberta Durrant of Penguin Films and Arendsvlei executive producer.

"Penguin Films and Arendsvlei are excited to now broadcast 4 episodes per week and to keep surprising viewers. Thanks to our viewers for your support and thanks to the writers, talent and crew for your dedication and passion."

Theltom Masimila, Arendsvlei head writer, says he feels privileged to be able to tell the story of the characters of Arendsvlei for another year and to dig even deeper into their stories.

"Now that we have the chance to broadcast for 4 days on television viewers can get ready to be captivated for longer in the love and tragedy of the high school, its community and the families that we've got to know, as well as the new faces who will ensure drama like never before."

Arendsvlei's third season starts on 28 September 2020 on kykNET & kie with the first 4th weekly episode that will be broadcast on 1 October.

Due to the additional weekly Arendsvlei episode kykNET will be announcing news shortly about the weekly Afrikaans female-fronted talk show Tussen Ons, also done from Cape Town.

kykNET commissions a new 13-episode procedural drama series, Projek Dina from Penguin Films set for 2020.

kykNET (DStv 144) has commissioned Penguin Films to produce a new 13-episode procedural drama series, Projek Dina (Project Dina), tentatively scheduled to start sometime in 2020.

Projek Dina will revolve around a task team solving missing person cases.

Projek Dina was developed by Penguin Films that is also responsible for kykNET's Sara se Geheim and is continuing with the production of the telenovela Arendsvlei that was commissioned for a second season and is being turned into a multi-season drama series.

Projek Dina's cast includes Chumani Pan as Lux who is known for his role in Ashes to Ashes that was also produced by Penguin Films, as well as Kay Smith as Charlie.

Other actors who will appear in Projek Dina include Chanelle de Jager as Ronel, Tim Theron as Deon, Heike Brunner as Annette Gerber, Arthur Falko as Max, Zenobia Kloppers as Margie, Naledi Majola as Funiswa, Taryn Steyn as Sameera and Trix Vivier as Megan.

kykNET said that a broadcasting date for Projek Dina in 2020 isn't confirmed.


UPDATE Friday 16 August 2019 - 13:45: An earlier version of the report included a mention that Wikus du Toit is a writer on the series. Penguin Films advised that this is not the case, and his name has been removed from the first version. 

kykNET & kie debuts new Cape Flats based Afrikaans telenovela, Arendsvlei; issues-filled high school drama will range from murder and revenge to depression and teen pregnancy.

The new Afrikaans telenovela, Arendsvlei will make its debut tonight at 20:00 on kykNET & kie (DStv 145) with the 156-episode series that has a fictional Cape Flats high school as backdrop and comes front loaded with drama as teachers and pupils confront issues ranging from depression and addiction to homosexuality, murder, revenge and teen pregnancy.

Arendsvlei (Eagles' Valley), filmed in Cape Town and produced by Penguin Films, is the name of the fictional community and the Cape Flats high school where the Cupido family who runs the school tries to make a difference in children's lives.

Arendsvlei, kykNET & kie's first original Afrikaans telenovela, will run for a year and be broadcast from Mondays to Wednesdays at 20:00 until it ends in September 2019, following principal Beatrice (Jolene Martin) who is trying to run the school after her dad's death.

The Arendsvlei cast includes Oscar Petersen (David), Ernest St Clair (Christopher), Maria Valente (Samantha), Jody Abrahams (Lionel), Melanie Du Bois (Ronel), Crystal-Donna Roberts (Janice) and Sherman Pharo (Thys), Dillon Windvogel (Vernon), Gretchen Ramsden (Nicolene), Dean Richard Olivier (Anton), Ann Juries (Claudia), Rehane Abrahams (Wendy), Christian Bennett (Emile), Kay Smith (Debra), Craig Adriaanse (Wesley), Roberto Kyle (Lee-Roy), Celeste Matthews (Aunty Gertie) and Joseph Mitchell in the role of Uncle Johnny.

"Viewers can expect a lot of drama because not everyone in Arendsvlei have good intentions," says Janine Cornelius, supervising producer.

"We have a fantastic cast and viewers can look forward to seeing familiar old faces, but we're also very excited to introduce viewers to new, talented actors, especially the younger characters."

Roberta Durrant, creative producer, says Arendsvlei will offer something for everyone. "The story lines are universal. The telenovela primarily focuses on family. It's the tale of a brother and sister who want to make a difference in the community, but who have their lives irrevocably changed after a shooting incident."

Theltom Masimila, script writer says "the language use is authentically Cape based, very comfortable and belonging to the people whose stories we are telling".

Two South African shows, Disney Cookabout and Revolting Rhymes, nominated at 2018 International Emmy Kids Awards.

Two South African shows have been nominated for the 2018 International Emmy Kids Awards, Triggerfish Animation's Revolting Rhymes and Penguin Films' Disney Cookabout.

Children's programming from 16 countries received 28 nominations for the 2018 International Emmy Kids Awards across 7 categories that will take place in Cannes on 10 April 2018.

Revolting Rhymes is nominated in the animation category at the 2018 International Emmy Kids Awards. Revolting Rhymes is produced by Magic Light Pictures and was animated at Magic Light’s Berlin studio and Cape Town’s Triggerfish Animation.

Disney Cookabout was nominated in the non-scripted entertainment category at the 2018 International Emmy Kids Awards. Disney Cookabout is produced by Penguin Films with episodes of the second season currently on Saturdays and Sundays on The Disney Channel (DStv 303).

"We are thrilled that Disney Cookabout has been acknowledged by the Academy at this year's International Emmy Kids Awards," says Christine Service, senior vice president and country manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa.

"Season 1 garnered an amazing response from viewers and with season 2 we hope to further encourage them to create Cookabout's array of exciting, locally-inspired recipes in their own kitchens with their families."

Roberta Durrant from Penguin Films and creative producer of Disney Cookabout says "It is always so rewarding working with the youth on any production and we are very grateful to the excellent cast and crew that have worked tirelessly to make this show the success that it is."

Disney Africa's first long-form local South African show, Disney Cookabout on SABC2, goes on a youth cooking adventure through the Western Cape.

Disney Cookabout that just started on Fridays at 15:30 on SABC2 is Disney Africa's first long-form series produced in South Africa and is a weekly youth food preparation and cooking adventure game show.

Produced by Penguin Films for The Walt Disney Company Africa, Disney Cookabout presented by Kirsten Mohamed and Mthunzi Ntoyi, travels across the Western Cape in the 26 half-hour episodes with a group of young "cooktestants" all in search of the freshest ingredients.

Halfway through every episode of Disney Cookabout a 3-minute Disney Channel Mickey Mouse animation appears, before returning to the show to follow the progress of the "cooktestants".

Each week the "cooktestants" battle it out to take home the Silver Spoon as they carry out challenges at the various locations and attempt to create the tastiest dish in the kitchen – all in a race to be awarded the Cookabout Golden Trophy.

"Through Disney Cookabout’s action-packed, fun-filled approach to sourcing food and creating delicious and nutritious meals, we hope that kids and families will be inspired to take an active interest in their well-being and encouraged to lead healthy lifestyles," says Christine Service, the senior vice president and country manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa.

"With exploration, comedy and fascinating insights added into the mix, we are thrilled to be presenting something fresh, new and entertaining for South African audiences."

"As our first ever local, long-form television series production, Disney Cookabout reaffirms Disney's commitment to contributing to the local creative community, creating and distributing content that is not only globally connected but locally relevant too."

During production with executive producer Roberta Durrant, Disney Cookabout visited 21 locations, including organic farms, spice shops and food markets across the Western Cape with nearly 200 kids who auditioned to be a part of the show. Disney Cookabout was filmed over 32 days and 78 meals were cooked.

BREAKING. Serious allegations of 'horrible racist incident' rocks M-Net and Penguin Films' new Ring of Lies series on Mzansi Magic as actors vent.

Serious allegations of racism are rocking Mzansi Magic's (DStv 161) new series, Ring of Lies, with frustrated and furious cast members slamming the M-Net and Penguin Films show over on-set actions.

The veteran and respected actress Florence Masebe took to Twitter on Tuesday slamming Ring of Lies, saying "racism is out here dancing on our set".

"I can speak to you anyway I like because I'm white." This is what a crew member just said to our director who is a black man," said Florence Masebe, calling it "a horrible racist incident".

"I can speak to you anyway I like because I'm white." This is what a crew member just said to our director who is a black man.

— Mme a Masakona (@FloMasebe) May 10, 2016

Fellow Ring of Lies actress Dineo Nchabeleng added her voice, saying "we have been dealing with this since the beginning of the shoot. We will not continue to work until it is sorted".

We have been dealing with this bs since beginning of shoot. We will not continue to work until it is sorted https://t.co/eRTUnpEuQb

— Dineo Nchabeleng (@dineo_nchbeleng) May 10, 2016

"This is the 2nd incident we've had on the set of Ring of Lies today and still we are meant to continue working!? What is happening?!" she said.

This is the 2nd incident we've had on the set of #RingOfLies today and still we are meant to continue working!? What is happening?!

— Dineo Nchabeleng (@dineo_nchbeleng) May 10, 2016

In response to a media enquiry about the Ring of Lies incident, Mzansi Magic tells TVwithThinus that the M-Net produced channel for MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform has been in contact with the Ring of Lies cast and production company Penguin Films regarding the incident that took place on-set involving two production crew members.

"An investigation is being undertaken and appropriate steps will be taken to ensure that the situation is resolved," says Nondumiso Mabece, PR head of M-Net's local entertainment channels.

"Mzansi Magic and Penguin Films strongly condemn any acts of discrimination and encourage a fair working environment based on mutual respect".

Veteran South African TV producer and creative producer and director at Penguin Films, Roberta Durrant, tells TVwithThinus that "Penguin Films have a policy of zero tolerance to any form of discrimination on any of the Penguin Films sets".

Roberta Durrant says Penguin Films take the Ring of Lies matter seriously.

"The verbal altercation was between the director and the art director and we are investigating the incident and are taking all steps to sort it out."

Actress Florence Masebe is respected in the South African TV industry and when she deliberately, publicly calls something a "horrible racist incident" and says "Racism is out here dancing on our set" she is putting her personal reputation on the line to draw public attention to something she feels strongly about and wants people to know about.

It's not clear yet how the Ring of Lies actors who spoke out about alleged on-set racism on Tuesday will be protected from possibly being victimised in whatever way or possibly bulldosed into silence about the matter and what they perceived happened.

Not clear yet is whether people will be suspended, but Mzansi Magic says in response to a media enquiry that "the production has not been interrupted".

The allegations of racism by Ring of Lies cast members comes just over a month after starlet Mbali Mlotshwa in late March claimed alleged racism on the set of the SABC's 7de Laan soap on SABC2 produced by Danie Odendaal Productions.

Mbali Mlotshwa said publicly that she suffered racial abuse on the 7de Laan set and that "racial slurs happened on set with people I thought were educated and open-minded".

The SABC ordered an urgent investigation.