Nduduzo Zuma on playing the betrayed fiancé in Love at Second Sight

This month, Mzansi Magic’s is bringing 10 new mini-series to the channel  featuring , some of Mzansi’s leading local talent and produced by dynamic, youth-led production companies.

Kicking off this story-telling celebration is the romantic drama Love at Second Sight airing on Monday 11 May at 7pm and produced by Ngomoya Film. It stars some of Mzansi’s young talent  including Nduduzo Zuma as Philani (Sibongile and The Dlaminis),  Amanda Seome as Lihle (Shaka Ilembe) and Aluve Mjali as Manqoba( Code 13)

Love at Second Sight tells the story of Lihle (Amanda), who is engaged to be married to Philani only for her ‘long-lost first love’ Manqoba to return as her fiancé’s best friend. Forced into close proximity, Lihle is confronted by unresolved emotions she thought she had buried.

Caught between the man who represents stability and the one who awakens a version of herself she thought she lost, she has to choose – not between two men, but between the life she was supposed to live and the life she truly wants.

We caught up with Nduduzo Zuma who plays Philani about his work on the mini-series.

Q: You are playing Philani in the series, and he is a layered character who appears steady on the surface but is navigating emotional undercurrents, how did you build those subtle shifts into your performance?

NZ: With the Philani character it wasn’t easy but as a performer you just have to work through you emotions and do research so you’ll be able to master that switch.

Q: What kind of preparation went into playing Philani, especially in balancing his role as a loving fiancé and a friend unknowingly caught in a complicated dynamic?

NZ: Research was a huge part of this project which really helped me in understanding all the dynamics around the characters. The team I was working with also made it very easy for me as they were supportive and a good working environment also contributed into getting this right.

Q: How did you approach the emotional tension in scenes where Philani is present, but not fully aware of what’s unfolding between Lihle and Manqoba?

NZ: ⁠This one was very challenging as I had read the script but I had to leave Nduduzo out of this and be the blank Philani so it happened as naturally as well as it could be.

Q: Chemistry is key in a love triangle, what was your process in developing a believable connection with both Amanda Seome and Aluve Mjali on screen?

NZ: ⁠I think the bond and connection we had and commitment of making it work was a what made us really connect in telling the story we expected it to be, so it made us comfortable with each other.

Q: Were there any particular scenes that challenged you as an actor or pushed you out of your comfort zone? What made them stand out?

NZ: ⁠I think with this one it was closer to home so I enjoyed every scene of this show.

Q: Philani represents a kind of “quiet love.” How did you ensure that his presence still feels powerful and compelling alongside more emotionally expressive characters?

NZ: ⁠I just had to be honest to Philani and what he represents. I feel that staying true to yourself is the best way to represent yourself.

Q: How do you think this role has stretched you as an actor compared to your previous (and present) work?

NZ: This project has been a breath of fresh air in comparison to my previous and current work. So I had to experience how far I can go as a performer to do something different.

You can tune in to Love at Second Sight only on your home of local Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161) on Monday, 11 May at 7pm.