From brothels to sex workers, The Black Door, eTV’s latest adult drama series has had audience members shocked and hooked from the get-go. And now, the story of the powerful brothel owner will introduce Zodwa Wabantu as she joins the world of sex workers and how they deal with everyday life.
Why the excitement around The Black Door?
The show premiered on 11 April and tells the story of Mam’ Rebecca, played by Linda Sebezo, and focuses on how sex workers are ordinary people whose main goal is to support their families.
The producers, Mandla N and Mpumelelo Nhlapo believe that South Africans shouldn’t shy away from “racy content” anymore and aim to tell authentic local stories.
“Yes, it is a different take on South African stories,” Mandla N said.
“[When] you look at sex workers and the sex industry, you’ll realise that some of them live right next door to you or go to school with you … they are just ordinary people with non-conventional jobs, and that’s a South African reality no matter how you look at it.”
The producer further added that, as part of the preparation for the show, they spent a significant amount of time with sex workers and observed how they lived their day-to-day lives.
“I interviewed a lot of sex workers and I got a different sense of that world hence I wanted to humanise them on the show,” he explained.
The perfect cast
The Black Door also stars Velaphi Mnisi, Zamani Mbatha, Thobani Nzuza and Gabisile Tshabalala – and fans are already loving the characters.
In an interview, Sebezo revealed how excited she was to portray the character and did not once shy away from any negative perceptions of the role.
“In taking this role, I want to show people my age that there is nothing wrong in playing a character like Mam’ Rebecca who is kissing a young boy, semi-naked in most scenes and very edgy.
“It takes a lot of guts to take on a character like this and I’m not ashamed to show off some skin. I also didn’t find an issue in doing any of the sex scenes – I want people to see my other side as an actor.”
And now Zodwa Wabantu will join the show and show Mzansi a different side to her too.
‘Sexy and educational’
Wabantu shared her excitement on an Instagram post that hints at her character – which will hit the screens on 14 April.
She believes The Black Door is “sexy and educational” all at once. And because people tend to shy away from real life and problems, this show is important as it hides nothing.
“I love it, it is about sex, we sell our bodies, we have brothels, we have prostitutes in real life. Thank God there is somebody who came on the right time just to show these things because we don’t talk about them. You know, no one fights for those girls,” Wabantu said.
The socialite said that she does not have a character name and will be playing herself. And she further expressed how she feels that it is “about time” that there is a show like The Black Door.
“She is herself, she is not afraid, she is all about money, you will see on some scenes on my acting role, where I take money and put it in my panties while wearing a G-string, and men splashing money on me, and I am all about that.”
The Black Door airs on eTV (DStv channel 194) at 21:30 from Monday to Friday.
