Sexy stars steam up the cast of Mzansi Magic drama 'It's Complicated'

Mzansi Magic’s new prime time drama is set to explore the complex nature of modern-day relationships in the face of marriage, family, friendship, loyalty and gender dynamics. With seven young, sexy main characters, it is bound to get complicated. 

"It’s Complicated is a drama series about the challenges faced by ordinary South Africans just trying to live and love in a metropolis like Joburg, and how our simple choices and decisions in love and relationships can create the mess that life sometimes becomes, regardless of our plans or dreams," said Kethiwe Ncgobo and Mokopi Shale, producers at Fuzebox.

Ncgobo and Shale said viewers can expect to laugh, cry, be shocked and recognise themselves or others in the characters.

The show’s lead character, Ipeleng, played by Fikile Mthwalo, is currently in a not-so-happy relationship with Thato.

“She’s a planner, a perfectionist and an idealist. Everything in her life is as a result of plan that she has made and that she has executed and she has succeeded in doing. It has worked so far and she believes it will continue to work,” said Mthwalo.

As the seven-year-itch creeps in, Ipeleng begins to question her love for Thato, but her mom is pressuring her to marry him.

Mthwalo said fans can look forward to a very beautiful cast because, in her words, “everyone is just so gorgeous!” as well as a sense of family amongst young people.

Ipeleng’s boyfriend, Thato, is played by Siyabonga Radebe.

Siyabonga Radebe.

“He’s a genuine and loving guy who found himself between a rock and a hard place and he’s trying to come out,” said Radebe.

Radebe usually plays the outgoing Zulu guy and said it was a nice change for him to play a less outgoing character who speaks a different language.

He is most excited about the fact that the group friends tackles cultural norms that he, as a Zulu man was taught, aren’t usually discussed in such a public space.

The it-couple of the show, Mandisa and Thabang are played by Samela Tyelbooi and Motlatsi Mafatshe. They have a solid and real relationship that they say fans will be able to relate to and aspire to.

“Mandisa is the balanced one amongst the girlfriends, very homey, grounded and seldom impulsive,” says Tyelbooi. But, she still quits her job to chase her dream. This move puts the pressure on her boyfriend to turn his hustling into something profitable and their love is tested by a lack of money.

Mafatshe is very proud of his new character whom he describes as lovable and a proper lover. “He's an example of what a good boyfriend and a good man should be,” says Mafatshe. 

The entire cast is very good-looking but Thishiwe Ziqubu and Atandwa Kani bring the extra heat.

Ziqubu plays a feisty, and driven brand specialist, named Ntandokazi, who knows what she wants and doesn’t like to let relationships get in the way of her independence.

“We haven’t had the space in South African television to explore love for what it is and all the different natures that it takes, especially in a modern world,” says Ziqubu. She looks forward to seeing that play out as well as the cinematic treatment given to the show.

Kani plays the arrogant but handsome, Vumani. A self-confessed womaniser and soccer legend who always gets what he wants.

“Vumani is everything you would imagine a soccer player to be. Fans are going to hate the way he is so arrogant but they are going to love the way he never doubts himself,” said Kani.

                                                                                                       Pabi Moganedi.

Pabi Moganedi is name not yet known to many but her character Matli is set to get tongues wagging. As the stereotypical social butterfly and trouble-maker, Pabi got to break out of the type-cast mould when playing Matli.

It’s Complicated starts Friday, 24 July at 7:30pm on Mzansi Magic, DSTV Channel 161.