Nigerian-born South African actor, writer and director Akin Omotoso’s latest project to hit the small screen in South Africa is the local thriller End Game. He spoke to Munya Vomo.
EVERY now and then we get good shows that serve as a breath of fresh air. One such show is End Game, a locally brewed thriller with an incredible story supported by amazing actors.
“It’s a political thriller. I think it fits nicely in the SA TV landscape; 90 Plein Street is set in the world of politics, there was The Line a few years ago. End Game is a look at the world we live in now and the relationship between power and technology,” said Akin Omotoso, who is the head director.
Omotoso took us back to when the very idea for the show came, about two decades ago.
“Thandi Brewer is the creator and producer of the show. She had the idea for End Game 18 years ago. It all started with the idea of a woman who suspects her husband of murder set against the world of politics and the internet. She and long-time collaborator Bridget Pickering teamed together to get the series produced,” he said.
Their paths later crossed and End Game ended up with three directors, Omotoso, Brewer and Thabang Moleya.
“I joined the team this year as head director and worked closely with Thandi and Bridget to design the show, set a look, cast and pick the truly wonderful members of our crew, which included bringing in Thabang Moleya on the directing team and Jonathan de la Querra to shoot the series,” said Omotoso.
“I also have to give a shout out to the members of the crew because without them there is no End Game to watch,” he added.
This collaboration gave fruit to a sterling cast that is a mixed blend of seasoned actors and young ones. So you will see the likes of Hlomla Dandala and Bubu Mazibuko rub shoulders with Class Act runner-up Yonda Thomas and Dineo Nchabeleng who played young Angela in Generations. For Omotoso it was important to have a tight script and a charismatic cast to go with it.
“Actors are drawn to the material but for us we wanted the best, and on behalf of the team I can say (to use a basketball metaphor) when you have Bubu Mazibuko, Hlomla Dandala, Ronnie Nyakale, Sthandiwe Kgoroge, Jerry Mofokeng as your starting five; with Yonda Thomas, Dineo Nchabeleng, Siyabonga Xaba, Sipho Ngwenya, Letoya Makhene and Amanda du Pont coming off the bench – you have what we call a dream cast,” said the man who is a also a basketball enthusiast.
End Game will use references of stories that are common to the man on the street to make the show as authentic as possible.
“We hope that first and foremost the viewers will be entertained, moved and thrilled by the series. At the end of the day it’s all about entertainment and that’s what we have gone for,” said Omotoso.
- End Game airs every Thursday at 8.30pm on SABC1.