Following her shock exit from popular youth drama Skeem Saam, talented actress Natasha Thahane has revealed the reasons behind her move to Mzansi Magic's gripping telenovela The Queen.
Thahane plays Amogelang, the daughter of Jerry Maake (Shona Ferguson, who co-produces the drama with his wife Connie, who he also plays alongside with).
Exuding beauty, Thahane, 20, the grand-daughter of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, said she left the SABC1 drama series because she was "getting too comfortable on a family show, so it only made sense to move on".
"I also wanted to apply my craft on other platforms," Thahane said. "My time on Skeem Saam was amazing. I learnt so much."
Relating how she got the role, Thahane said she received a call from her agent, who informed the star about "a huge audition" conducted by Ferguson Films.
"The nerves kicked in immediately! Honestly. I was torn apart by the decision. I was happy at Skeem Saam. But I decided to try out something different," Thahane says.
"I have always wanted to work with Ferguson Films. I never thought it would happen so soon."
She said on the day of the audition, she was nervous after being informed she had to face Ferguson.
"The reason given was that our characters had to bond as father and daughter. I still think this was one of my best auditions."
Talking about her new character, she said Amogelang was a "typical daddy's girl and a very opinionated and stubborn individual".
Thahane said in the telenovela she had to prioritise bringing her father and brother closer, following the devastating death of her mother. In the process, she meets a young man with whom she connects after playing hard to get. "I think a lot of young girls will relate to Amo because she's very aware of her shortcomings."
The actress started her performing arts career five years ago, when she was featured on Lokshin Bioskop, eKasi: Our Stories, Single Galz , and did a few commercials.
She was also on Saints & Sinners as Fundiswa, but her role was not big, compared to playing Enhle on Skeem Saam and The Queen's Amogelang, a role she regards as her biggest so far.
Although born into a religious, and one of South Africa's most prominent families, the Tutus, her parents encouraged her in her pursuit of a career in the performing arts.
"My parents played a major role in encouraging me to attend auditions in between my studies at Wits University," she says.
"I had always wanted to be an accountant. I was good at it, but the youth in me forced me to start attending auditions.
"I immediately fell in love with the arts. My main motivation was my faith because I had always prayed for my path to be presented to me and acting was bestowed upon me."
When not on set shooting, Thahane spends time with family and friends.
"I am still in a self-discovery phase, so I always value opportunities to touch base with my family and their roots."
Source: sundayworld
