S'dumo Mtshali talks about being 'Netflix’s most hated man'
'Jonasi', played by S'dumo Mtshali, has sparked conversations around the world and earned the actor the title of one of Netflix’s most hated men. Here's what he had to say.
S'dumo Mtshali, who plays the role of 'Jonasi Gomora' in 'The Polygamist', has taken the world by storm. His portrayal of the controversial character has had people across the globe talking, with many praising his incredible acting.
He embodied the role so well that, even when he walks down the street, people often stop him and call him by his character’s name, 'Jonasi'.
In a recent interview with Larry Madowo on CNN Africa, the actor, who broke into the entertainment industry after being discovered on SABC 1's reality competition 'Class Act' in 2010, revealed that people regularly call him 'Jonasi' when they see him in public.
Mtshali said this is not something that surprised him because, from the moment he read the script, he understood that the role would come with many people hating him.
'Jonasi' is a serial cheater in 'The Polygamist', and his actions have made him one of the most talked-about and hated characters around the world, with many viewers saying he perfectly represents narcissistic and selfish men.
He also spoke about how proud he is of the success the story is having around the globe.
"It's a great feeling for the industry that we can go this far as storytellers. We can reach the world," he says.
Madowo then asked Mtshali whether he was ready to embrace the title of being Netflix’s most hated man.
"I'll own the title. It's okay - for now," he responded.
He also explained that although he knew the role would be a heavy one and that people would view him negatively because of it, he believed the story had to be told.
"This isn't polygamy. This is dirt," he said, explaining that while he has portrayed characters in stories about polygamy before, 'The Polygamist' explores something much darker.
The actor has also been opening up about the show's success in other interviews. He recently sat down with Jacaranda FM, where he shared more about the impact of the role and his journey as an actor.
"It's really about the process. I've trusted the process for that long, and now I feel it's another chapter. It's a chapter of becoming more aware of myself in this industry, more aware of why I'm doing this and why I’m telling these stories," he said.
Mtshali added that young actors should not expect instant success.
He added that patience and trusting the process come with many benefits.
"It's so much more rewarding, and you understand it better when you know the grind took that long. I could never have got that shot the way I got it 10 years ago. Now that shot makes much more sense.
"Now, as an actor, the choices become different. You can say to the director, 'No, I believe the character needs to exit the scene here because I need to create distance between myself and the audience.' Now the game is much more about those details and understanding why the story is important."
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