Jody and 7de Laan's Diaan Lawrenson
Jody Abrahams makes a return to soapie'dom towards the end of August as Marcel Jansen - a man with a violent temper who's haunted by his past. He's one of five new characters who start arriving on Scandal! from this coming Monday (5 August).
Jody, who's headline credits include Hard Copy, Interrogation Room and Hopeville, has also been on soapies Binneland and 7de Laan. His soapie pedigree extends to real life too with his engagement to 7de Laan's Diaan Lawrenson (Paula).
Word from a mole who's close to Jody and Diaan is that the couple don't have a definite date for their wedding but they're looking at doing the deed round about March next year.
While Diaan prepares to be Jody's wife, his character's already married with a daughter on Scandal!
Here's more about who's who in the family from a release about them:
[Submitted via press release]
Hidden secrets for Scandal’s new family, The Jansens
Viewers of e.tv’s primetime soapie Scandal! can look forward to the arrival of a charming new family to the daily drama, the Jansens.
The new family nucleus will be made up of five new and diverse characters. They will join the Scandal! world when Cameron Jansen is appointed as a security guard at Safe and Clean.
However, the transition for this young man in his new place of employment will not be an easy one as family secrets from his past follow him to Johannesburg.
“We are excited at the arrival of the Jansens and trust that viewers will soon form an emotional connection with this humble family desperate to better their lives and leave their secrets in the past,” says Ilse van Hemert, Series Producer for Scandal!. “This is not possible though and soon viewers will be captivated by their moving and heartfelt story.”
Central to all the drama is six-year-old Bronnie, played by newcomer Latonya Jansen.
“Latonya is an absolute gem of an actress, and although she is so young she has immersed herself in the character and has done an amazing job in such a demanding role,’ notes van Hemert.
The addition of the new family comes close on the heels of the soapie’s expansion to the additional Friday episodes each week.
“Scandal! continues to show notable growth in a competitive space, and we are proud of the show’s achievements,” says Monde Twala, e.tv Channel Head.
“This success can be attributed to the winning formula of telling authentic stories that our viewers can relate to, and the new Jansen family will add a new dimension to this.”
MEET THE JANSENS:
Cameron Jansen (TX: Monday, 5 August)
Played by Jason Willemse
Cameron is a young man with a dream. He is studying law as a means of bettering himself and elevating himself beyond the relative poverty he grew up in.
He is on the cusp of an exciting new life when something major happens which threatens to derail this. He joins the Scandal! world as a Safe ‘n Clean guard.
Aunty Vera (TX: Thursday, 22 August)
Played by Tereska Muishond
Aunty Vera is the aunt of Cameron and Candice Jansen. She lives in Westbury and took Cameron in as a lodger when he came to Johannesburg to study.
Aunty Vera is a sickly woman of integrity and courage. She displays strong matriarchal care and empathy. Despite her limited means and deteriorating health, she does not think twice about helping her family.
She serves as Shayne’s conscience although in truth he needs very little prompting to do the right thing.
She lives within modest means (earning a little from occasionally looking after neighbourhood kids, doing a little sewing and repairs etc) and suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, which means that her life is a struggle, but one she faces with grace and dignity.
Bronnie Jansen (TX: Thursday, 22 August)
Played by Latonya Jansen
Bronnie is Marcel and Candice’s young daughter and Cameron’s niece.
Candice Jansen (TX: Tuesday, 27 August)
Played by Lerey Vieira
Candice is Cameron’s sister. We meet her in flashback at the point in her life when she has chosen to leave her abusive husband after fearing for her daughter. So while she was prepared to accept abuse for herself, she draws the line for her daughter.
She is a devoted mother, was a dutiful wife (to the point of choosing her husband and becoming estranged from her brother) and makes the ultimate sacrifice for her daughter’s safety.
Marcel Jansen (TX: Wednesday, 28 August)
Played by Jody Abrahams
Marcel is a man with a violent temper which has manifested in physical violence. He is a plumber who married Candice. When Cameron saw the nature of the relationship, he implored his sister to leave her husband.
This led him to being estranged from his sister until present events. Marcel is not an evil man, but one who inflicts misery because of the misery he probably experienced growing up.