Actress Zandélle Meyer chats about her role on Showmax’s Wyfie.
ZANDELLE MEYER STARS ON ‘WYFIE’
South Africans met Zandélle Meyer in Binnelanders, where she starred as Riekie. She since went on to star in Suidooster, and as Chandré in Trompoppie on Showmax. She also made her writing and directing debut at Silwerskerm with the short film O, Griet! Sy’s droog.
Now she’s back on Showmax in the groundbreaking university telenovela Wyfie, which won two Silwerskerm acting awards in August, a MIP Africa Inclusive Lens award at the start of September, and was up for Best International Series at The Seoul International Drama Awards yesterday.
Take a look at the trailer…
Q&A WITH ZANDELLE MEYER
What did you think of Wyfie before joining the show?
I watched Wyfie before I acted in it, and from the get-go I thought it was so cool. When I think back, there was never anything (on local TV) that reflected my university years. Many of the things that I was ashamed to talk about, I could now watch on Wyfie and relate. There are many things that you struggle with at university in terms of your faith, your sexuality, your longing for acceptance, your identity as a person. It was wonderful to then see that in Afrikaans.
How did you become part of the Wyfie cast?
I’ve auditioned for a few other roles in Wyfie, but when I received the brief about Jessie, a naive first year in the Pantera residence, I thought there was a good chance it could work out because I usually get roles as the younger girl, even though I’m 24 now! (laughs)
At Wyfie, things happen very quickly. I did the audition, the next day I went for a callback, and then the same day I heard, “Oh, you got the part! And we’re shooting next week.” (Laughs) It’s actually much better that it’s so fast; it takes the anxiety out of the process, instead of waiting and wondering if you have the role.
Was it strange to try to put yourself in the shoes of an 18-year-old again?
It’s easier to play a younger character than an older character because you’ve already been through some of those experiences. I studied drama at Stellenbosch and I could definitely see parts of myself in Jessie, especially how I was in my first year. I was also naive. I came to Stellenbosch from Potchefstroom, so I was from a small town and didn’t know much. You feel a bit like an outsider, but then you also realise what res is like and how it invites you in. You are part of a sisterhood. But like Jessie, I sometimes found myself in situations I didn’t want to be in!
Take a look at the teaser for Showmax’s Soft Life.
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