ACTOR and TV host Lawrence Maleka is making his highly anticipated return to the small screen.
Lawrence returns to TV
The popular star is set to play Mzi in Mzansi Magic's upcoming drama series, Critical But Stable, which premieres on Sunday, 26 July, at 8pm.
The 13-episode drama is based on novelist Angela Makholwa's bestselling book and follows a struggling businessman who ropes his childhood friends into an insurance scam in a desperate bid to save his sick wife and failing business.
Lawrence stars alongside Fortune Thobejane, Batsile Ramasodi, Thabo Malema, Mmarona Motshegoa, Motsoaledi Setumo, Seipati Mahamu, Mapaseka Koetle, and Eve Rasimeni.
Why he took the role
Speaking about what attracted him to the project, Lawrence said several factors convinced him to take on the role.
"A few things drew me to the project. Firstly, it's based on Angela Makholwa's book, which already had a strong following and reputation.
"Then there was the cast. There was a lot of talent involved and that's always exciting as an actor because you're constantly being challenged.
"And finally, Mzi was different from anything I'd done before, which made the opportunity even more appealing," he said.
Lawrence said one of the things he loved most about the story was how relatable it is.
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"What I liked about the story is that it feels believable. It's not about superheroes or larger-than-life characters. These are ordinary people who make one decision and then have to live with the consequences.
"I think that's what will keep audiences invested because you can understand how these characters got themselves into these situations, even when you don't agree with their choices," he said.
A character with many layers
His character, Mzi, is a family man struggling under financial pressure while hiding personal challenges from those closest to him.
Lawrence said the role immediately grabbed his attention when he first read the script.
"I was interested because it was different. Whenever a role takes me somewhere I haven't been before as an actor, I pay attention.
"Mzi has a lot going on beneath the surface and I enjoyed unpacking those layers. The more I read, the more curious I became about him," he said.
A story many can relate to
The drama explores the pressure many men feel to provide for their loved ones, something Lawrence believes viewers will connect with.
"I think many people can relate to wanting to do better for the people they love. The pressure might look different for different people, but that responsibility is something most of us understand.
"What I found interesting about Mzi is that his intentions are often good, but the decisions he makes don't always lead him where he wants to go," he said.
To prepare for the role, Lawrence said he spent time understanding the emotional realities of people facing similar struggles.
"Preparation is important to me. Every character requires a different approach, but I always try to understand who the person is beyond what's on the page.
"For this role, I spent time speaking to people, listening to different perspectives and trying to understand the emotional reality of what Mzi is dealing with. That helped me ground the performance in something honest," Lawrence added.
