Emmanuel Castis has a penchant for choosing characters named Chris. He has played two – one on SABC 2’s Erfsondes and the other on e.tv’s 4Play: Sex Tips for Girls. His latest, on e.tv's Broken Vows, is Chris Myburgh, a retired football player who has a problem: he’s a pill popper. His career as a sportscaster is suffering and, to make things worse, he refuses to tell his wife, Azania, played by Enhle Mbali Maphumulo, because she’s pregnant, and it’s slowly starting to affect their marriage. This is one of Emmanuel’s first roles since his return from the US after a short arc on General Hospital and featuring on pirate drama Black Sails.
Why did you choose ‘Broken Vows’ as the show to make your SA TV comeback?
Having lived in Los Angeles last year, I felt what it was like to not be a jobbing actor. An opportunity came up in October to audition for Broken Vows and I took it. I just want to work and I know this is a quality show with a good story, and that’s all I want to be a part of telling.
It just so happens that the head writer, Henrietta Gryfenberg, happens to be the same head writer of Erfsondes and Broken Vows. She is a genius and her stories are nail-biters.
Is Chris a bitter soccer star, angry at life for ending his career earlier than anticipated, or does he take it in his stride and get over it?
Chris has accepted his lot. He had Azania to help him through it. Of course there is a sadness in him because of what could have been, but he’s dealing with it.
With her being successful, but also trying her best to outshine her business partner, does that in any way hamper their relationship?
Her success doesn’t hamper their relationship at all. Chris is proud of Azania. He loves her.
And the family? Has her family accepted him? And the Myburghs? Have they accepted Azania?
Mam Gerty, Azania’s mother, isn’t totally accepting of him. She thinks Azania can do better. She feels Chris is below her standard and would have preferred to see her daughter with someone else. The Myburghs... well, let’s just say they aren’t exactly the most liberal people.
Interracial relationships are not a big deal anymore and yet people are still shocked by them or react negatively to them. Do you think their relationship extends the narrative beyond colour – showing two people in love?
Absolutely, colour doesn’t even feature in this relationship. They are just two people who love each other. Their story definitely extends the narrative of love and does not have anything to do with colour.
Emmanuel Castis and Enhle Mbali Maphumulo play a married couple in Broken Vows.
You have always been at the forefront of seemingly controversial storylines, from
I love controversy; it’s what makes good stories and good characters. Peter O’Toole was once asked what made a good actor and he said good characters.
So these characters I have played make me look good because they are real, and, yes, it’s loads of fun playing them. No one wants to play boring one-dimensional characters. If you do, then you’re in this business for the wrong reasons. It’s fun dealing with the backlash from the audience as well, because then it means I’m doing my job in portraying the character and eliciting a response from viewers.
You’ve played a number of Chrises. Which Chris do you prefer?
I love all my Chrises if there such a word. They are all very different and they are all so complex – maybe some more than others, but they are all just amazing characters.
You were recently on General Hospital, which is one of the biggest soaps in the US. Are you flirting with doing more international productions? Would you take the plunge?
I’m not closing the international door. I have a small foot in there, I may as well explore it. I’ll keep chipping at that block.