Siya Sepotokele is no stranger to South African television, having been in The River, Impilo: The Scam, Grassroots, and Republic. Now, in Law, Love, and Betrayal, he plays Thabo with Dineo Rasedile, Pearl Modiadie, Nimrod Nkosi, and Anelisa Phewa.
Find out more about the Joburg-born actor.
Tell us about your character, Thabo.
Thabo is Gugu’s childhood sweetheart; they’ve been together for a long time. They started off as best friends and eventually became lovers. He has been by Gugu’s side through everything, from their school days to her professional career. He’s a good guy who always tries to do the right thing but often ends up making the wrong decisions.
How was your chemistry audition with Gugu?
I had no idea about the show initially—I was just accompanying a colleague to the auditions. He turned out to be too young for the role, so they asked me to audition instead. I originally auditioned for the role of James but later received a callback to do a chemistry test for Thabo. When I did the chemistry test with Dineo, I immediately knew she was perfect for the role. From the moment we started reading together, everything just flowed effortlessly. Right time, right place.
Thabiso is described as a nice guy who tends to make the wrong decisions for the right reasons. Could you relate?
To a certain degree. One of my shortcomings is that I always try to make sure everyone else is okay, often neglecting myself in the process. I’d give someone my last few bucks so they can get to work, and then I’d figure something out for myself later. In that way, I relate so much to Thabo. I feel terrible if I can’t help someone, and that’s what helped me understand him and portray him genuinely.
What do you think men in similar situations can learn from a character like Thabo?
I think people can definitely learn from his mistakes. His intentions are pure, but sometimes he needs to take a step back and re-evaluate before acting.
I’d also say it’s important not to fall into the pressures of the world. In his case, for example, his girlfriend works with a good-looking guy. The truth is, there will always be someone who looks better, has more money, or seems more successful, and you just have to work through those insecurities. Even if you don’t have the latest car, you’re still worthy. I feel like a lot of what Thabo does is overcompensate, but in the end, he ends up sabotaging himself. It’s about being real and content with who you are.
What makes you excited about Law, Love, and Betrayal?
We haven’t had a legal show in South Africa for a while now. We’ve had shows that include a bit of law as part of the storyline, but in this series, law is at the center of everything. There are several big storylines, but we spend most of our time in court. Here we have full-on cases being argued.
It’s also beautifully written, and the team tasked with bringing the story to life truly delivered. You have to see James and Gugu in court—it’s powerful! The courtroom scenes are incredible, and audiences are going to love them.
About Law, Love, and Betrayal
Stream Law, Love, and Betrayal now on Showmax, with new episodes on Thursdays. The 13-episode legal drama moves between Thembisa and Sandton. LLB is produced by Izwi Multimedia and directed by Nthabiseng Tau (Youngins, Outlaws) and SAFTA winners Nthabiseng Mokoena (The Wife, Gomora, Fatal Seduction) and Christo Davids (Spoorloos, Legacy, Hartklop).
Factbox: Siya Sepotokele
Born and bred: Orlando East, Soweto in Johannesburg
Date of Birth: 23 October 1995
Languages: English, Zulu, Xhosa, Sesotho, Setswana, Tsonga, and a bit of Sepedi
Childhood: “I had a wholesome childhood, and my parents did their best to ensure I was okay. I learned early on to be content with what I had, which is why I made it my mission to ensure my parents never had to pay for my education. That’s exactly how things turned out—I earned a scholarship and went to university. I had great friends, and my late mom was always my biggest supporter. I often say she was like my first agent, telling everyone that her son could sing. The biggest lesson I learned growing up is that your circumstances at home don’t define where you can go in life.”
Most challenging role: “Njabulo on the River, because it was a sensitive one. As a heterosexual guy playing such a character, it’s easy to slip up, make mistakes, or come across as disrespectful. The last thing I wanted was to fall into clichés—I just wanted to get it right. It was challenging, but I realized I had done it justice when people from that community started coming up to me, telling me I played the role well.”
Watch the trailer for Law, Love, and Betrayal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnXXEA2Yq1g&t=3s
