Innholdsfortegnelse for 17 Jun 2021 i TV Plus English

There’s no shame in spending entire weekends in front of your small screen, whether its your TV or laptop, streaming online content. If you’re in the mood for hours of fun with the same characters, Showmax is packed with movie franchises that will keep you entertained for hours. THE MATRIX (1999-NOW) Arguably the most iconic sci-fi films in history, Keanu Reeves (John Wick in the John Wick action films, 2014-now) plays Neo, a computer programmer by day who meets Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne, Pops in sitcom Black-ish, 2014-now) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss, Jeri in action show Iron First, 2017-2018) who reveal that machines have taken over the world and people can enter “The Matrix”, a digital world where anything is possible as mankind wages war against the robots. Neo is told…

MacGyver Season 2 Weekdays (from Monday 28 June) e.tv (*194) 20:30 Lucas Till says that “season 3 is probably my favourite” in reboot action show MacGvyer (2016-now). The actor is taking his character MacGyver on all-new missions for elite super-secret spy agency The Phoenix Foundation, but it’s exploring Angus that is exciting him most. “The first two seasons scraped the surface on who Mac is. We were introduced to his past, with his mother dying offscreen and Mac’s search for his father that concluded in season 2. We are seeing a whole new MacGyver in season 3 and exploring him excites me.” It’s not just MacGyver who’s going to be a lot more open emotionally this season – the whole team are exposing their hearts in one way or another…

One Day At A Time Season 2 Thursdays (from 24 June) SABC3 (*193) 20:30 Revived family comedy series One Day At A Time (2017-2020) goes beyond drawing punchlines from the Alvarez family’s many blunders and misfortunes. The storylines provide comedic relief through their everyday struggles to both humanise them and allow viewers an escape into their world, which makes season 2 of this sharp sitcom so entertaining. Besides war veteran nurse and matriarch Penelope’s (Justina Machado, Brenda in crime drama show Queen Of The South, 2016-now) battle with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and more, she is trying to raise her obstinate teenagers Elena (Isabella Gomez, Christina in action series Matador, 2014) and Alex (Marcel Ruiz, John in religious drama film Breakthrough, 2019), while also caring for her elderly mom…

It’s been a long time coming, but the Seakamelas will get the answers that they’ve been looking for (and avoiding) for years. After a tumultuous few weeks of DNA tests and desperate attempts by MaNtuli (Dieketseng Mnisi) to cover up the truth, Kwaito (Clement Maosa) will discover the identity of his biological father. “It’s been daunting to say the least,” says Dieketseng, whose character MaNtuli “has had a secret she intended to take to her grave. But this secret wasn’t meant to be buried”. DIRTY JOHN Social media has been rife with theories on who the elusive dad could be – the most recent assumption being that the respectable John Maputla (Africa Tsoai) could very well be the one. We have, after all, seen him chatting in secret with MaNtuli…

After a failed surgery to remove her brain tumour, superintendent Nomalanga Qwabe (Duduzile Ngcobo) has no option but to resign from Durban Gen. She’d rather spend her last days organising her grand wedding to Doctor Ndlovu (Bheki Sibiya), says the actress. “When the senior docs get wind of the vacancy, the gloves come off as they race to replace her,” explains Meshack Mavuso, whose head surgeon character Thabo has been eyeing Nomalanga’s job since he discovered her condition in October last year. “Nomalanga informs Thabo that she’s put in a good word for him with the hospital management and she will announce him as her successor,” adds the actor. Thabo buys a new suit and writes a two-page acceptance speech in preparation for the big day. But in a twist…

Make no mistake: Dineo Price is no weakling, says Kgomotso Christopher. “She has been through a lot in her life. Being married to billionaire businessman Sebastian Price (Deon Lotz, James in soapie Die Sentrum, see p29) helped her develop a thick skin both in the corridors of Legacy Investments and at home, where your attackers are your family and friends,” says the actress, reminding viewers that her character is at her most dangerous when Dineo is sitting quietly. “She may look like a trophy wife, but Dineo can go toe-to-toe with anyone.” And Dineo will need her guard up – drama is targeting her! WALKING AWAY She’s been through the ringer since Sebastian died in episode 1 in September 2020. “First Sebastian’s first wife Angelique (Michelle Botes) claimed that Dineo…

It’s no secret that Bonita (Hildegardt Whites) and DeWet (Dirk Stoltz) have been through hell and back together. And throughout the journey, they’ve built up their fair share of secrets over the past year. From family-destroying cover-ups, to murky past lives, the two are practically a match made in heaven. And it seems DeWet shares that sentiment when he throws a surprise proposal in Bonita’s face. “DeWet realises that he needs companionship, a Bonnie to his Clyde. And because Bonita knows everything about him, he deems her the best fit for what he needs right now,” says Hildegardt. The actress adds that her character is very much aware of DeWet’s growing affection toward her, but the prospect of marriage isn’t even a thought right now. MARRY ME! It’s no surprise…

9-1-1 Season 4 Wednesdays (from 16 June) M-Net (*101) 19:30 Rescue action series 9-1-1 (2018-now) has never held back on the drama, but season 3’s finale in mid 2020 did leave LAPD sergeant Athena Grant (Angela Bassett, Marie Laveau in the horror series American Horror Story: Coven, 2013) broken and battered. “She fought off a serial rapist who’d stalked her and we are starting the season with this strong woman in a different position to how we know her: she is broken,” says Angela, whose character puts on a tough exterior while she tries to save the world. It’s different this time though, warns the actress. “Something has changed in her. She isn’t the same.” With Athena being the pillar of strength for the characters, season 4 will break them…

Younger guy Bongz (Othembele Nomgca) has gone all-out for his cougar lover Mrs Madlala (Ntombifuthi Dlamini): a guitar player, flowers, the whole shebang as he prepares to propose. But it might all be in vain, says Ntombifuthi, who has grown an online following of younger male fans who’re in love with the idea of her character. “She is shocked by his proposal when he is down on one knee,” says the actress. “If she could, she would flee because it’s too much for her. She is shocked and doesn’t know how to handle this,” adds the actress, who thinks that it may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. TOO MUCH, TOO SOON? Mrs Madlala and her Ben 10 met while she was walking with her friends Madongwe (Zama…

Businessman Tenda (Nat Ramabulana) thought that he got away with murdering his vile nephew Hulisani (Burnette Gededger) in April because his pregnant girlfriend Mpho (Azwimmbavhi Rambuda) fled before his attack. But Tenda has forgotten about her ancestral gift: she has visions. And the ancestors aren’t going to let Tenda literally get away with murder, says Azwi. “The ancestors send her a warning through her advisor Mulimisi (Humbulani Tsharani). She chose to ignore the warning and she is going to pay dearly,” adds Azwi, whose character is going to feel the full force of their anger this fortnight. IMPOSSIBLE REQUEST The ancestors’ attack starts off light – Mpho burps uncontrollably in front of Tenda’s business associates. “Tenda is embarrassed by Mpho and it starts to affect their relationship,” Azwi reveals. “The…

There are some unexpected perks that come with owning Soweto’s trendiest nightclub Kilowatt: you become an instant celeb and women throw themselves at you at every turn. Fats (Mpho Molepo) can attest to that after his pal Suffo (Mduduzi Mabaso, Mgedeza in brand-new telenovela DiepCity, see more on p33) handed him the Kilowatt keys following Suffo’s arrest in May this year. “Fats is now considered an eligible bachelor, and he is more than eager to play the role,” says Mpho. Seeing that Fats hasn’t been on a date in years, he is nervous about his dinner with his crush Amandla (Liopelo Maphathe, Boitumelo in 2020 in telenovela Gomora, 2020-now, see more on p36). He is madly in love with her, but as he’s about to leave for their romantic date…

When it comes to love, mental health counsellor Muzi needs help, says Chumani Pan, who portrays the character. “Muzi’s mother died when he was young, so he never had that woman figure guiding him in his life. He’s just split from his secret lover Nicola (Stephanie Hough),” says Chumani, adding that the meeting up at a local bar and then going back to his place for sex didn’t satisfy him. “They were passionate but Muzi needed more, now he’s dating Lize (Andria Kok). They are great and he really loves her.” But just when Muzi thinks that things are going his way, along comes an iceberg to tear a hole in his hull and sink him. MEET THE PARENTS Feeling that their relationship is going to be solid, Lize invites…

Cute couple Ty (Maurice Paige) and Lee-Ann (Portia Joel) have come a long way. Through thick and thin, their love has always come out stronger, but it took Mymoena (Jill Levenberg) suggesting that they get married for the pair to realise that yes, that’s the next step. A LITTLE DOUBT While Ty is ready, Lee-Ann is a little apprehensive and turns down his first proposal. “She has been through deep waters with relationships,” says Portia. “Both of her previous marriages didn’t work out because her husbands were bad people. You can understand why she is nervous about marriage. But maybe it’s a matter of third time lucky?” Feeling bad about turning down Ty’s proposal, Lee-Ann seeks advice from her friend Kaashifa (Jawaahier Pietersen). “Kaashifa assures Lee-Ann that Ty is a…

Charming singing chef Ainsley Harriott has been on TV turning the kitchen into the heart of our homes since the 1990s. And now his new cooking series Ainsley’s Food We Love, Tuesdays on BBC Lifestyle (*174) at 20:00, is the ultimate comfort viewing – particularly in 2021. LET’S GET COOKIN’ Ainsley started work on the series at peak pandemic time in 2020. “Considering what was going on, I think we felt a little bit more homely. Something quite comforting was required because we were really all in a bit of a state of shock,” he explains. “As time passes, I think we’ll all discover how it messed us up a little bit. When your rhythms change, you become very unbalanced. You couldn’t express yourself the way you wanted to because…

9-1-1: Lone Star Season 2 Wednesdays (from 16 June) M-Net (*101) 20:30 Just as COVID-19 has turned the world upside down, it does the same for the fire, police and ambulance departments of fictional Company 126 in season 2 of action series 9-1-1: Lone Star (2020-now). It is revealed that beloved paramedic captain Michelle Blake (Liv Tyler, Lady Isabella from 2018 in period drama show Harlots, 2017-2019) has quit to assist mentally ill people living in the streets, like her sister Iris (Lyndsy Fonseca, Cara in drama show Pitch, 2016) whose mysterious disappearance drove Michelle’s story in season 1. With Michelle gone, she is replaced by equally fierce Tommy Vega (Gina Torres, Jessica in law drama series Suits, 2011-2019 and its spin-off series Pearson, 2019). “After eight years as a…

Enslaved: The Lost History Of The Transatlantic Slave Trade Season 1 Wednesdays (from 23 June) SABC3 (*193) 21:00 Considering that there are numerous documentaries that examine the effects of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, legendary actor Samuel L Jackson (Nick Fury in the Marvel movies, 2008-now) finds a fresh approach for revealing the heinous acts in his six-part docuseries Enslaved: The Lost History Of The Transatlantic Slave Trade (2020). First, he traces his own roots in Africa. Then a team of experts uncover sunken ships that didn’t reach destination, resulting in hundreds of thousands of Africans dying at sea. “For years, we’ve discussed the ships that made it, not the ones that didn’t. There were ships that went down with our ancestors, we want to tell those stories too,” says Samuel.…

It’s been a rough few months for the Morokas. Doctor Sphe (Pearl Mona-ma) lost her dad Jack (Vusi Kunene) in a horrifying chainsaw attack, and Tshidi (Letoya Makhene) had to deal with the fallout of the new Moroka Media threat against her beloved #Ezweni. But the universe has one more zinger to throw the Morokas’ way, and this time Kabisi’s (Mpho Joseph Molepo) health is on the line. SO METAL Kabisi has been experiencing a number of concerning symptoms of late. “His food tastes like metal, he is dizzy and his vision is blurry,” reveals Mpho. While the metallic taste sensation is odd, Mpho says that his character doesn’t worry about it just yet, chalking it up to old age. But when he starts feeling nauseous and develops a fever,…

There is precious little that Zethu (Nonsindiso Gcaba) won’t do to get Nkululeko (Nkanyiso Mchunu) back in her life. She’s obsessed with the thought of the picture-perfect family they were going to be before Fikile (Phindile Gwala) came into the picture and stole Nkululeko. How far is Zethu willing to go? It seems her desperation could turn deadly, says Nonsindiso. “She doesn’t accept Nkululeko’s relationship with Fikile. She would do anything for him – and I do mean anything. She is unhinged.” This fortnight, Zethu uses the one thing Nkulu values most to get him back in her home: their newly rescued son Mepho (Eyethu Mkhwanazi). OBSESSED MUCH? Zethu has been trying everything possible to rekindle her love with her ex. “She’s still shell-shocked after catching Nkulu and Fikile kissing…

Beyoncé (pop song Single Ladies, 2008) once said something like, “If you like it, put a ring on it”. However, in Mamba (Simo Mogwaza) and Boniswa’s (Lusanda Mbane) case, it’s not a matter of love or even liking each other when it comes to getting hitched. Instead, it’s business – and Boniswa will be smiling all the way to the bank. The two unlikely characters come together in a way that no one could’ve imagined when Mamba asks his political campaign manager Boniswa to marry him. But if you’re expecting a big romantic gesture with Mamba getting down on bended knee, you’ll be sorely disappointed. “Ha! No, this is a case of ‘shall we get married? Okay!’” says Lusanda, laughing. VOTE FOR LOVE! So what’s the deal with saying the…

As always, Hillside is buzzing with the latest gossip. The topic causing a stir among locals? Lana’s (Mila Guy) weight. Following Lana’s surprise return this fortnight, it doesn’t take long before things get awkward for the newly divorced local as rumours about her waistline and past romance leaves Lana desperate to hide from the world. Having spent a few weeks in Bloemfontein to clear her head, Lana is back in Hillside and ready to continue with her life. “She’s been through a lot – the divorce from Shawn (Deànré Reiners), the guilt of kissing a new guy, and just the whole thing of figuring out who she is without Shawn. In a way, she lost a bit of herself,” explains Mila. AWKWARD Lana’s first day back in town is a…