Maggie Benedict has erased all traces of her former Generations character as she blossoms in a new role, writes Debashine Thangevelo
SOMETIMES, opportunity goes in tandem with a bit of cunning. And Violet (Maggie Benedict) is cognisant of this as she plots her rise at Namane Funerals in Ashes to Ashes. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that she is shagging the heir to the business, Tsietsi, in the hope of a fairy tale ending.
However, there is one chink in her grand plan: Reba. The cousin from Cape Town has now joined the family business and more than ruffles Violet’s feathers.
Interestingly, Benedict, who played Akhona Miya in Generations, is joined by several of her former Generations co-stars, who were unceremoniously axed from the soap. Not that it worked against any of them, though. It looks like they came off it much better than Mfundi Vundla; more so with the refreshed version falling very short of expectations… with viewers and the channel.
She, fortunately, left before that divisive act took root in the history annals of local TV. I guess it reached that point where change was necessary to fuel her creative drive as an actress. So when she got wind of Ashes to Ashes via her agent, it was a no-brainer. They reciprocated when it came to the casting, too.
The vivacious actress, who is as savvy as she is talented, admits: “Violet is only getting more interesting as I go along.”
Recalling her initial thoughts on this character, she shares: “I was very intrigued. She is extensively courageous, sassy and determined. And she is so beautifully insecure. That’s nice to play; especially with the high-end fashion masking this little girl inside with major Daddy issues.”
And her fans have been warming to her new role. Benedict notes: “Audiences are very intelligent. They take each character as they come along. Some loathe her and some admire her.”
Of course, in walking the fine line between love and hate, she draws more attention. And, every so often, there are slivers of kindness that briefly redeem her from her past actions.
Benedict says: “As hard as she tries to hide her heart, every now and again, before she even catches it, she finds herself doing something good-natured. Her relationship with Damien gives it away as she is a version of herself with everyone else.”
Aside from discovering the various layers of her new character, Benedict is also getting a crash-course in all things girlie.
She laughs: “I’m a tomboy. I dress for comfort, not style. Violet is the opposite and that’s where our wardrobe mistress works her magic. The dresses are not just well-bought, they are tailored for my body. Violet takes me out of my comfort zone; especially in dresses that are half-a-metre long. And she gets a manicure every week. For now, I’m enjoying the femininity of her.”
This week, Violet is secretly informed about Tsietsi’s desire to get married and jumps to the conclusion that this means that their indiscretion was more than a booty call. Eish!
To make matters worse, Reba is proving too efficient for her liking.
The actress reveals: “Violet is feeling marginalised. Reba’s first entry was a great concern for her: for personal and professional reasons. She also feels that she can give Tsietsi advice against this ‘overnight trash’.”
On working on a show that is a ground-breaking venture for e.tv, she admits: “It’s truly been the most fun. From a production level, the camera equipment allows us to get such great shots. It functions as a soapie, but is shot on location. And Gert van Niekerk has experience in both location and in-studio shoots. So he brings that hybrid mix to Ashes to Ashes.”
Benedict is also stoked to be working with a stellar cast.
“I get to work with Chumani Pan. I often prayed to get to work with Richard Lunkunku. I was like, ‘Lord, please hook that up’. I couldn’t be a happier pig in mud. Craig (Urbani) and I did a show together, but our characters never interacted. And we have scenes now. And Patrick Shai. About four weeks ago, I had my first scene with him. So I can tick that off my wish list.”
In the meantime, Violet has her hands full trying to dig herself out of the fine mess she finds herself in, both professionally and personally. But she is far from being defeated by her situation.
• Ashes to Ashes airs on e.tv from Monday to Thursday at 8pm.
**The previous headline stated that Maggie Benedict had been axed from Generations, which was incorrect. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.