Filming for the second season of
Montana wrapped in the Mudda City recently and the show's getting ready for a January premiere.
It returns to SABC1 on Tuesday, 17 January at 20h30 for a 56-episode run, which takes it through 2012.
The headline cast of
Season 1 return and various new actors join the cast, most notably: TV newcomer Ruben Engel - an actor, schmodel and Mr South Africa finalist who wears briefs instead of boxers ...
Ruben takes over the role of Winston, who was played by
Az Abrahams in Season 1. As you probably know, Az was tragically killed in a car accident in late 2009 so the series went through a rigorous casting process to find someone to take over the role.
Az and Chantal at the launch of Montana 1.
I caught up with Chantal recently to get an inside sneak into the new season and she spilt that the show auditioned actors for dayzzz for it. Chantal returns as Dalene and was part of the audition process, reading opposite each of the hopefuls etc.
Ruben's booty met with her approval when he was chosen obviously and apparently he really manages to capture the essence of Winston.
More pics of him ... on the trot, with vino and in character:
Another prominent change in the season is where it was filmed. Season 1 was filmed solely on-location whereas this season it's a mix of on-location and studios.
Studios have been built at the Waterfront Studios for the show and various sets that were on-location last season are now in a studio instead - places like the back room of Dalene's salon and inside the community centre.
The move to build the studios indicates that SABC1 sees the show as having a long-time future. You may remember that there was talk of the show becoming a daily soapie? With the studios built I reckon it means it's on the cards to happen, possibly for 2013.
As for Dalene ... has she changed too? Word from Chantal is that she has. Someone from her past arrives on the scene and makes her even more unstable and volatile which results in us seeing a very different side to her.
Also, she'll be involved in sexcapades with various dudes, including a shack-up with Charles (played by
Langley Kirkwood).
Chantal: "When I read the scripts, I was like: 'Whaaaaat!?' Daleen's acting like a ho'.'"
Keep a lookout on TVSA for more about the season closer to the premiere.