A new face will be seen on television screens in the hit telenovela Skemergrond from Tuesday 24 June.
Jandré le Roux, known for his roles in Suidooster, Wyfie and a string of internationally acclaimed film and television productions, is set to make his first appearance in the fictional Western Cape town of Gemoedsdrif. The telenovela, which airs on kykNET&kie, is filmed on a farm in Wellington. His debut on Skemergrond promises to be memorable.
Le Roux will take on the role of Genie Matthews, a charismatic cruise ship entertainer whose magnetic personality and free-spirited lifestyle quickly make waves in Gemoedsdrif. Genie’s easy charm and natural ability to connect with others earn him the trust of several residents – most notably Lilly (Hildegardt Whites) and Amber Louw (Talia Davis), two close friends he met while working at sea. His sudden arrival sets off a series of unexpected developments.
Speaking about the role, Le Roux describes Genie as “friendly, charming, helpful and entertaining”, adding that his portrayal is based on the idea of having fun with the character while still grounding him in authenticity.
Preparation is key
Le Roux described his preparation for Skemergrond role as a process of active participation, which involved analysing subtext, practicing dialogue and refining body language to shape a unique interpretation of Genie.
“In terms of dialogue, given the fast-paced shooting format of a telenovela, I made sure I knew my character’s lines so well that they felt second nature once the cameras were rolling,” he explains. “I even recorded the other characters’ lines and played it back to get a better sense of the rhythm and flow of each scene – something that really helps me stay in the moment.”
Le Roux also addressed the physical demands of the character, committing to exercise and diet in order to maintain the kind of energetic presence and physical condition that Genie projects.
“Genie and I are similar in the way we connect with people. We can build relationships with almost anyone. There’s a certain charm in how we engage with others,” he says. “We also share a love for music. We both play guitar, sing and occasionally write and compose songs.”
A good fit
And how is he different from Genie? “I think Genie is a little more arrogant than Jandré,” he says with a smile, reflecting on his Skemergrond character.
But he clearly enjoys stepping into Genie’s shoes. “I love him. I’ve told some of the other actors this many times: Genie is one of the nicest characters I’ve ever played. He just fits me well. I connect with him, I understand him, and I can really have fun with him,” Le Roux says.
The most challenging part of this role for Jandré was playing it as authentically as possible. “I had to trust that, at the end of the day, I gave enough – that I did justice to the character envisioned by the writers, producers, directors and myself, and brought him to life in the way I imagined,” he says.
“And I had to stay grounded in my own performance without being distracted by the incredible talent of my co-stars. Everyone gives their absolute best. They’re phenomenal.”
Le Roux is no stranger to major productions. “Wow, I’ve been privileged to work on some amazing projects, including a few internationally recognised films and series,” he says.
“Some of the biggest were Transformers: The Last Knight, Tomb Raider, One Piece, in almost full prosthetics, one of the lead roles in Ludik with Arnold Vosloo on Netflix, and the lead in the recent Showmax film Gebokste liefde, among many others.”
Le Roux makes his debut in Skemergrond on 24 June, and tensions soar when Ruan (Dann-Jaques Mouton) comes face to face with Genie.
- Skemergrond airs on kykNET&kie (DStv channel 145) Monday to Thursday at 19:30 and is also available on DStv Stream and Catch Up.
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