We first saw her in e.tv’s 4 Play: Sex Tips for Girls (seasons 1 – 3), before becoming a tour de force as Katlego Sibeko, a cunning gold-digger on SABC3’s Isidingo.
When Tonight called to chat about her return to soaps, she laughed: “It feels like we had just chatted about the pregnancy storyline on the other show. When we were speaking at the time, I was already serving my notice.”
Complimented on her impressive memory, she casually confesses, “I do have one of those ludicrous memories. However, the things I should remember, I don’t usually.”
Before chatting about her role as Yvonne Thebe on Scandal, the actress was asked about her role in SABC2s Thola.
“It’s exactly what I hoped for after stepping out of my comfort zone. The character I play is a journalist.
“The first series had various actors who couldn’t make the second season. What most people don’t know is that the second series is a completely new show. My character ties the two seasons together and is quite central to all those loose ends,” she offers.
Christopher continues, “My first major role in drama was 4 Play: Sex Tips for Girls, so the genre is not new to me. My character is a workaholic. Someone who is determined to get to the truth. It’s shot in a different style and language, which opens me up to a different audience.”
However, the speed of the shoot and the pace of the performance depends on whether it happens in-studio or on-location. Either way, the actress isn’t complaining. In fact, she is loving polishing those old techniques.
As for Scandal, Christopher says she initially turned down the role.
She explains, “A day before shooting the drama, Scandal was looking for someone for a new role. They weren’t sure if I would be interested as I had just left a soapie.
“As soon as I saw the character bible, I went back and said, I don’t think it’s going to work. So I actually turned it down.
“The main thing for me, when I spoke to the producer, was the age.
“Katlego was already a bit older than I was. Yvonne is even older than her. I thought they were reaching here.”
However, a compromise was reached to ensure that this character would be believable as Naledi’s (played by Dineo Moeketsi) estranged mum.
Having already begun shooting her scenes, she shares, “We discover Yvonne in increments. That is how we are introducing the character.
“Viewers will see a mother that comes out of the blue to support her daughter. After being an absent mother for almost half of Naledi’s life, she is looking for a second chance and appears genuine in her attempts.”
With Scandal a stone’s throw away from Isidingo at Sasani Studios, the actress’ routine hasn’t changed much. She still gets to have coffee at the same coffee shop.
Also, a lot of the creative heads and crew are former Isidingo staff – so there is a sense of comfort and ease in already knowing them.
Of course, Naledi views her mother’s arrival with distrust. Naturally, there is this awkwardness between them.
Could there be more to Yvonne, though?
Christopher hints, “Viewers will get to see a few nuances where they will question her agenda.”
In the meantime, it’s baby steps in this mother-daughter reunion. Will it last? That remains to be seen.
Kgomotso Christopher debuts on e.tv’s Scandal on June 30. The show airs on weekdays at 7.30pm.
