Fatal Seduction is the latest local show to premiere on Netflix. The show oozes sensuality but also showcases elements of betrayal and mystery. Lunathi Mampofu, who plays Brenda Grootboom, shared with BONA her character’s traits, her time on set and what it was like acting alongside leading cast member Kgomotso Christopher, who plays Nandi Mahlati.
Trying not to give too much away, Lunathi describes Brenda as an outgoing, loving young lady who two amazing, well-off parents brought up. “You know when you’re brought up well and in a good home, but you just don’t have the love and attention you deserve? That’s basically the type of person that she is. She ends up trying to find love in every other person or place to make up for the kind of love she didn’t necessarily get from the people she was expecting.”
Lunathi adds, “She’s a teacher, and that’s one of the reasons she became a teacher, you know, to spread love to young kids and people, the love she couldn’t get from her parents.”
When asked what about the show interested her to star in it, Lunathi told BONA, “Honestly, I think it was the concept itself. The fact that it deals with a lot of different aspects that people deal with in life in general. As you can see in the trailer, it showcases a whole lot of sensuality.”
The actress then stated, “For me, it’s a big deal for South Africa to see sensuality in another aspect outside of it just being sex or perceived in the negative connotation that it’s always been perceived in, but actually being portrayed beautifully and artistically. We need to move in that direction as a country.”
With one of the show’s themes being sensuality, it is important for actors to feel comfortable on set, a feeling that Lunathi admits she felt. She noted that both Netflix and the entire Fatal Seduction team made the set comfortable and open.
“It was more like a family, and I was blessed to work with amazing actors. Everyone was comforting and so open to the journey of this production and very helpful.”
Further showing admiration to her fellow workmates, Lunathi gushed, “The cast at large was just so amazing! I was probably the last person to come into the production due to me shooting other productions, but I was made to feel very comfortable. They caught me up with everything they had done prior – the pre-production work and all of that stuff.”
She added, “The set itself was so amazing! Everyone was open to ideas and to sharing what they thought. Because it’s such a sensual show, we had intimacy coaches as well who were always there to make sure that we were always feeling comfortable.”
She reiterated, “It was really special on set because it was more like a family unit than anything else, and not just the cast. That was the best thing about it – that you connect with every single person.”
Lunathi also found herself a ‘bestie’ in Kgomotso during her time on set. “Working with Kgomotso was fun! I think the first day we started working together, we ended up calling each other ‘bestie.’ She’s an amazing soul. She’s a brilliant actress. She’s very down to earth as well. Those are some of the qualities you want to have around you when you’re working.”
The award-winning actress also admits that she had insecurities coming into the show due to its nature. However, her bestie Kgomotso was there to guide and support her. “We would have those conversations where she’s like, ‘Listen, this is work. This is what we do. We must take it in as much as possible and use it to the best of our abilities and remember the purpose of why we are doing what we are doing.’”
Catch Lunathi Mampofu on Fatal Seduction, now streaming on Netflix.
Also see: Kgomotso Christopher talks new show ‘Fatal Seduction’
