Barely a month on screen and already Hayley Owen has amassed a fan base large enough to be considered flattering.
Cast as Angie Palmer, the new game ranger at Dineledi, she has turned Jack van Reenen (Ty Keogh) into a hormonal teenager in M-Net’s The Wild. And he is more than happy to be her lapdog – even if he’s out of his depth in trying to woo her.
While some might recall Owen from TV adverts, the actress, who graduated with honours in dramatic art from Wits, honed her craft with stage work.
When the call for an actress to play Angie went out, Owen’s agent suggested she give it a shot.
“The weekend before the audition, I went to the Drakensberg with my sister. It was nice because I had some peace and solitude and could rehearse,” she shares.
And her practice session paid off – of the 50 or so actresses who auditioned from Cape Town and Jozi, she was regarded as the perfect fit for Angie.
Owen explains: “When we got the character breakdown, they wanted someone who has attitude and fit the health (enthusiast) bill. They also wanted someone who could drive – being trained on driving a 4x4 was amazing.”
Thankfully, the actress spotted a few familiar faces – such as that of Wandile Molebatsi (Blessing) – on set, which put her at ease.
“From the outset, everyone was friendly and welcoming. There is such a great rapport among everyone on set.
“Besides, it doesn’t suit the relaxed outdoor environment to be all stressed,” she says.
Unlike other soaps, Owen struck it lucky in that she didn’t have to worry about the multi-cam shots. With The Wild being the only local soap to be made mostly outdoors, the shooting style differs from its counterparts.
“I was speaking to someone from another soap and she was commenting on how great it is to be on The Wild. The directors take their time with you – a luxury for a soap actor. And a lot of attention is taken to make the show look and feel good. In terms of the experience on set, you literally feel like you are shooting a movie every day. We have had car chase scenes, wild animals feature… I take it as a great experience,” she shares.
While her character is still finding her bearings, Owen is determined to see her become a household name.
“Angie is developing so nicely. Although she has just been introduced, in the scenes we are shooting, her history is being explored along with her softer side.
“She is quite feisty and confrontational. She knows exactly what she wants. Jack threw a spanner in the works of her new job. He got under her skin and it annoys her that her plan is being messed with,” laughs Owen.
“She is a lot more complex than just being a sexy girl. My aim is to keep her as dynamic as possible. She can’t lose her spark.”
As for her clear attraction to Jack, even if she denies it at first, the actress enlightens: “She likes that he doesn’t care what everyone thinks of him. He is his own man. He isn’t a complete pushover, but he is letting his romantic side get the better of him. Bottom line: they are equals and enjoy challenging each other.”
On sharing the screen with Keogh, she admits: “I find him interesting. We have been doing some really fun scenes recently. He is always prepared and a true professional.”
Is she her biggest critic?
“A lot of people have asked me if I watch myself. And I have. I feel it is the only way you can pick up on what you need to be working on.
“You know, I’ve always wanted a character I could develop over time – now I am doing just that.”
And Owen is clearly doing something right if her Facebook comments are anything to go by. Good on her!
• The Wild airs on M-Net from Monday to Thursday at 7pm.