THE MultiChoice City Atrium was a hive of activity earlier this week when throngs of Gabriel Macht fans (specifically women) donned their finest threads as they tried to catch a glimpse of the Suits sex symbol.
With the series as much a hit here in South Africa as it has been in the US and in other parts of the world, it is little wonder that DStv has signed up Macht as their new Premium Brand Ambassador.
Given his character Harvey Specter’s sharp power suit wardrobe, everyone expected him to see him arrive in one of those perfectly-tailored suits. He didn’t.
But whatever disappointment the fans might have felt in that regard was quickly squashed by his disarmingly sexy smile and affable disposition.
He had dressed down for the occasion in jeans and a formal blue shirt with a casual jacket thrown over it.
Talking about his personal fashion sense, he laughs, “This is pretty much me. I’ve got to say, when I started on the show, suits for me were very much a weddings and funerals thing. I wouldn’t be caught in a suit unless I was playing a character or going to an event. That said, now that I’m on the show, I get to wear the most beautiful suits probably in the world. They are very comfortable and very streamlined. And I actually don’t mind wearing them while working…”
Speaking on how the show has elevated his status as an actor, he says, “Look, I’m very appreciative of the role and the stories we tell. I find myself very different from Harvey. He is a Type-A personality; a pretty aggressive guy. He is always on a mission. Winning is huge for him. He likes to put people in their place and he can be quite in your face. As I have gotten older and through the success of the show, fame has turned my life around in a way.”
Unsurprisingly, considering their friendship on-screen, Macht is long-time friends with one of his female co-stars, Sarah Rafferty who plays Donna Roberta Paulsen.
“Sarah is one of my oldest and dearest friends,”he says. “We go back years, she doesn’t like me to say the number. I encouraged the producers to take her audition. She only had one line in the pilot, but has created a character beyond anyone’s imagination.”
In his five days of being in South Africa, Macht had little time for sightseeing or soaking in the local culture. But he reveals he will be back in February or March next year to remedy that. He is also keen to visit Kenya.
The one thing he did do was see Atandwa Kani in Sizwe Banzi is Dead at the Baxter Theatre. While unintentionally butchering the actor’s name, he enthused, “You have to check this guy out. I have seen a lot of theatre around the world… and here I saw some of the finest acting I have seen in years. He was hilarious, his physicality was incredible and he was emotionally connected.”
In the meantime, viewers and look out for Macht in all the new promo shots for DStv.
• Suits season five airs on M-Net every Thursday at 7.30pm. They are currently on a production break.