Season 1
Diepe Waters (Deep Waters) is a South African, Afrikaans-language telenovela which takes place in and around a competitive swimming club, Die Swartmarlyne (the Black Marlins), owned by Gys Swarts.
The Swartmarlyne swimming club is a family business in which both Gys' sons, Rossouw and Jacques, are involved.
To increase the tension, Gys' grandchildren, Karla and Johan, also swim for the Swartmarlyne's swimming team.
Karla is a young teenager struggling with the daily pressure of being a champion.
It's not without merit either, since her mother, Sanet, believes she can win a scholarship overseas and never expects anything less than perfection from Karla.
Johan, on the other hand, yearns for his Grandpa Gys's approval, but is just never as good as Karla.
Rossouw and Sanet seem like a happy couple on the surface, but when their past walks through the door, their lives are unexpectedly turned upside down.
Jacques, who still lives on Gys's property, is the smouldering coach for whose attention all the swimming moms and aqua aerobics aunties fight.
But at heart he is a soft teddy bear who more than one person can relate to about their daily hurdles.
It is against the background of this swimming club that we get to know several families who will do everything in their power to keep their heads above water, whilst hoping that their secrets will sink into deep waters.
However... Zelda Joubert, the owner of the beauty salon Skinvestment, cannot stand Gys.
This longtime disapproval of the man gives Zelda a new bounce in her step when she realises that she should rather keep her enemies as close to her as possible.
The fact that the apple of Zelda's eye, Meghan, is not even her own blood makes it very difficult for Pam, her daughter, to rise above Zelda's high standards.
Liewe Lettie (Dear Lettie) runs her own successful café and it's here where the characters find solace for their souls, not only in Lettie's freshly baked goods, but also on her shoulder.
Henry takes on the role of the new caretaker at the club and his adopted son, Tshepo, is a major threat to Johan and his reputation.
When Nina de Wet and her parents, Wim and Rose, form part of the Swartmarlyne swimming club, Karla's heart feels lighter.
The two quickly become bosom buddies and both finally have someone with whom they can share their heart's secrets.
In this community it is easy to feel like a fish out of water and the characters quickly realise that their dirty laundry cannot be easily washed clean with water.
Everyone stands the chance of being exposed for who they really are.
The series stars Justin Strydom, Sandi Schultz, Nadia Valvekens, Altus Theart, Reandi Grey, Lea Vivier, Werner Coetser, Lizz Meiring, Neels van Jaarsveld, Eloise Cupido, Tracey-lee Oliver, Danielle Swanepoel, Liam Bosman, Reze-Tiana Wessels, Stiaan Bruwer, Johnny Potsanyane and Stephanie Baartman.
Diepe Waters is created and produced by Penguin Films, inspired by an idea of Neil McCarthy.
The executive producers are Nomsa Philiso, Waldimar Pelser, Nicola van Niekerk and Lucia Meyer-Marais.
The directors are Gert van Niekerk and André Velts.
The head writer is Hélène Truter and the assistant head writer is Sandra Vaughn, with a team of storyliners and writers including Lizé Vosloo, Tristram Atkins, Margaret Goldsmid and Meesha Aboo.
The theme music is by Elben Schutte.
Broadcast Notes
Season 1 originally aired on kykNET & kie from Tuesdays to Fridays at 21h00. This changed to Mondays to Thursdays at 18h00 from Episode 100, which aired on Tuesday 7 May, 2024.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Justin Strydom ... Gys Swarts
Sandi Schultz ... Zelda Joubert
Nadia Valvekens ... Sanet Swarts
Altus Theart ... Rossouw Swarts
Reandi Grey ... Anja
Lea Vivier ... Meghan Swarts
Werner Coetser ... Jacques Swarts
Lizz Meiring ... Auntie Bybie Bekker
Neels van Jaarsveld ... Wim de Wet
Eloise Cupido ... Rose de Wet
Tracey-lee Oliver ... Pam Joubert
Danielle Swanepoel ... Karla Swarts
Liam Bosman ... Johan Swarts
Reze-Tiana Wessels ... Nina de Wet
Stiaan Bruwer ... Henry Jacobus Puddu
Johnny Potsanyane ... Tshepo Buti
Stephanie Baartman ... Lettie Adonis
Recurring / Guests
Rika Sennett ... Lydia Botha
Claudia Jones ... Nomsa
Lily van der Merwe ... Madam
Righard van Jaarsveld ... Tommie
Adrian Harcourt-Cooke ... Swimmer
Angus Solomon ... Swimmer
Chloe Graaff ... Swimmer
Courtney Pretorius ... Swimmer
Lisa Kleyn ... Swimmer
Ma'za Khota ... Swimmer
Mpumelelo Mouse ... Swimmer
Q-rize Ferreira ... Swimmer
Jean Henry ... Arno van der Westhuizen
Wanzel Bruwer ... Betsie
Brenda van Rooyen ... Erika
Raquel Sneyers ... Denise
Philicity Reeken ... Wanda
Mpule Matlhola ... Lebo
Carla Wannenburg ... Melinda
Anina Oberholzer ... Betsie
Sekoati Tsubane ... Dr Kabi
Millie Dintoe ... Yolandi
Claire Chivers ... Hantie
Gloria Stevens ... Book Club Lady
Tené Minderon ... Young Anja
Jaco Schoeman ... Young Rossouw
Michael Julius ... Chef Louis
Naret Loots ... Young Sanet
Zelné Anderson ... Ansie
David C Steyn ... Traffic Constable
Janel Jordaan ... Deidre
Quillon Serrano Lawrence... Donovan
Bernie Steneveld ... Dr. Theron
Gert van Niekerk ... Braam
Zelné Anderson ... Ansie
Quintus Jansen ... Dance Instructor
Jennifer Myburgh ... Young Lydia
Lara Kinnear ... Doctor
Federico Fernandez ... Farooq
Kobus Harmse ... Pastor Gerber
James Borthwick ... Leon
David James ... Frederich
Marissa Claasen ... Mrs Laurie
Gregg Pettigrew ... Wim's Boss
Nicole Humpel ... Siskia
Charlie Bouguenon ... Martin
Wynand van Zyl ... Gys's Attorney / Van Niekerk
Nolene Spinks ... Christelle
Chartyn van Heerden ... Damion
Werner Botha ... Pietie
Jacques Gombault ... Cloete
Duan Wanty ... Reghard
Denver Vraagom ... Chester
Henco J ... Henno
Lizanne Schultz ... Margot
Ryno Smook ... Gustav
Diani Gernandt ... Laura
Esme Wiid ... Hantie
Estelle Kriek Venter ... Convener
Luciano Kordon ... Journalist
Loryda Erasmus ... Journalist
Michelle van Dyk ... Doctor Eybers
Ricardo Smith ... Announcer
Suzette Swarts ... Donovan's Wife
Charlton Brown ... Kurt
Prince Chinedu Christopher.. Tony
Francois Coetzee ... Jimmy
Samantha Olivier ... Erica
Andrew Jordaan ... Handré
Monnye Kunupi ... Martha
Fezile Mpela ... Masinya
Monica Muller ... Renette
Lizani Trichardt ... Young Meghan
Nico Loubser ... Gideon
Melanie van der Westhuizen. Reporter
Jaun Olivier ... Wine Connoisseur
Thabiso Ramotshela ... Masinya
Juandré Coetzee ... Bernice
Elizma Byleveldt ... Dr Brink
Hendrik Baird ... Klasie
Dané de Waal ... Charity
Tertius Meintjes ... Daan (as Tertius Meintjies)
Tshepo Mathatho ... Tramp
Charles Kies ... Bertus
Alonso Grandio ... Mr James
Jannie Ras ... Lifesaver
Antony Coleman ... Mr Johannes (as Anthony Coleman)
Margo Olivier ... Nurse
Junaid Scheepers ... Swimming Coach
Bianca Appelgryn ... Charity's Attacker
Thandy Matlaila ... Tina
Ashley Manuels ... Kaleb
Ryno Hattingh ... Riaan
Werner Botes ... Merwyn
Francois Coertze ... Pretorius