Hlomla Dandala recently joined the cast of e.tv soapie ‘Scandal’. Daily Dispatch caught up with this talented Mdantsane-born actor and director..
ARE you excited about your new role on Scandal!?
ANSWER:This is a very exciting role as I am playing a character like no other that is in the world of Scandal! at the moment.
It’s a great challenge to encompass the attributes that make Kingsley what he is, so it’s extremely exciting for me.
Can you describe the character you play?
A: Kingsley is a suave and graceful character who always fights for the underdog.
He is a human rights lawyer and tries to stay out of the limelight and the public eye.
How do you feel about his character?
A: Kingsley is a very three-dimensional character, which is always the most interesting to play.
Playing characters who carry scars and how those scars manifest is always fun.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
A: Inspiration comes from many things, so it’s hard to pinpoint one thing that inspires me.
What is your view of the current Scandal! storyline?
A: It is strong. The dynamics of the writing staff at Scandal! is amazing. The families in the show are evolving and the introduction of the Thebe family in the past few months has been great for the show and storyline.
How do you approach your role?
A: Kingsley’s character is new to Scandal!, so I approach it with an open mind and eagerness to portray him as the story intends.
Are you in any way like your character?
A: I’m still learning the character. Unlike a film, a soap character is never written in completion before you start. You learn the character right along with the writers and the audience. So this should be a fun ride.
What was your most recent role before this and tell us about your other most memorable acting experiences to date?
A: There are too many to pinpoint as the most memorable, as they all have their own unique spot in my mind.
The most recent before the role on Scandal! was on Jacob’s Cross and Rockville.
How did you get into acting? Was it a childhood dream? When did you realise you could make a living from acting?
A: I studied it at university so I always knew I could make a living from it in front of and behind the camera.
What was your first role?
A: My first role was in Leroy Moving on Again in 1988.
Where were you born?
A: I was born in Mdantsane.
You appear on stage and television and film and you have directed. Do you have a preferred medium and why?
A: Each medium has their own little thing that I love and that is unique.
Coming from directing to acting is challenging because all the things I was demanding of my actors when I was directing , I now have to deliver as well.
Is there enough work for actors in South Africa?
A: There are many gifted actors who are over-flowing with talent in this country.
There are a lot of productions happening and having the know-how and right team behind you, will secure work.
What other projects do you have on the go/in the pipeline?
A: I am working on the mini-series Madiba, alongside Laurence Fishburne and Orlando Jones.
What do you believe are the most essential attributes required of an actor to succeed in the industry?
A: Perseverance, smarts and work ethic.
Do you come from a theatrical family?
A: I come from a preacher family. My father is former bishop of the Methodist Church of SA. His dad before him was also a preacher.
When did you realise you wanted a career as an actor?
A: It was at a young age when I realised that I could make a living from my passion.
How do you relax?
A: Family and movies.
Anything else you’d like to tell us?
A: Yes! Watch Scandal! every weekday at 7.30pm on e.tv. — Julia Butcher
EL star shines on ‘Scandal!'
ARE you excited about your new role on Scandal!?
ANSWER:This is a very exciting role as I am playing a character like no other that is in the world of Scandal! at the moment.
It’s a great challenge to encompass the attributes that make Kingsley what he is, so it’s extremely exciting for me.
Can you describe the character you play?
A: Kingsley is a suave and graceful character who always fights for the underdog.
He is a human rights lawyer and tries to stay out of the limelight and the public eye.
How do you feel about his character?
A: Kingsley is a very three-dimensional character, which is always the most interesting to play.
Playing characters who carry scars and how those scars manifest is always fun.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
A: Inspiration comes from many things, so it’s hard to pinpoint one thing that inspires me.
What is your view of the current Scandal! storyline?
A: It is strong. The dynamics of the writing staff at Scandal! is amazing. The families in the show are evolving and the introduction of the Thebe family in the past few months has been great for the show and storyline.
How do you approach your role?
A: Kingsley’s character is new to Scandal!, so I approach it with an open mind and eagerness to portray him as the story intends.
Are you in any way like your character?
A: I’m still learning the character. Unlike a film, a soap character is never written in completion before you start. You learn the character right along with the writers and the audience. So this should be a fun ride.
What was your most recent role before this and tell us about your other most memorable acting experiences to date?
A: There are too many to pinpoint as the most memorable, as they all have their own unique spot in my mind.
The most recent before the role on Scandal! was on Jacob’s Cross and Rockville.
How did you get into acting? Was it a childhood dream? When did you realise you could make a living from acting?
A: I studied it at university so I always knew I could make a living from it in front of and behind the camera.
What was your first role?
A: My first role was in Leroy Moving on Again in 1988.
Where were you born?
A: I was born in Mdantsane.
You appear on stage and television and film and you have directed. Do you have a preferred medium and why?
A: Each medium has their own little thing that I love and that is unique.
Coming from directing to acting is challenging because all the things I was demanding of my actors when I was directing , I now have to deliver as well.
Is there enough work for actors in South Africa?
A: There are many gifted actors who are over-flowing with talent in this country.
There are a lot of productions happening and having the know-how and right team behind you, will secure work.
What other projects do you have on the go/in the pipeline?
A: I am working on the mini-series Madiba, alongside Laurence Fishburne and Orlando Jones.
What do you believe are the most essential attributes required of an actor to succeed in the industry?
A: Perseverance, smarts and work ethic.
Do you come from a theatrical family?
A: I come from a preacher family. My father is former bishop of the Methodist Church of SA. His dad before him was also a preacher.
When did you realise you wanted a career as an actor?
A: It was at a young age when I realised that I could make a living from my passion.
How do you relax?
A: Family and movies.
Anything else you’d like to tell us?
A: Yes! Watch Scandal! every weekday at 7.30pm on e.tv. — Julia Butcher
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