Mmabatho Mogomotsi in Outlaws. Image Supplied
Actress Mmabatho Mogomotsi plays the Basotho queen in ‘Outlaws’
Former ‘Muvhango’ actress Mmabatho Mogomotsi sheds light on her character, Moretlo, in new modern-day Western SA series ‘Outlaws’.
Mmabatho Mogomotsi in Outlaws. Image Supplied
Mmabatho Mogomotsi, who played Snowey in Yizo Yizo more than 20 years ago, is making her acting comeback with the new Showmax Original Outlaws, premiering on 6 September 2023.
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ABOUT ‘OUTLAWS’
South Africa’s first modern-day Western series, Outlaws is created by Tshedza Pictures’ Phathu Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon, who’ve won five Best Scriptwriting SAFTAs in the past four years for smash-hit shows like The Republic and The River, which was also nominated for an International Emmy. Outlaws is Tshedza’s second Showmax Original, building on the success of Adulting, which set a record for the most first-day views of any drama on the streaming service in March 2023.
Speaking about Outlaws, she said: “It’s a story where two families are at loggerheads over continued cattle theft. Stock-theft wars between communities in Lesotho and KZN are a reality for many who live in those areas. I’ve spoken to a few people who identify with the story.”
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WHO IS MORETLO?
Mmabatho said that her character, Moretlo, is the matriarch of the Ts’eole family that belongs to the Basotho side of the story.
Moretlo is your ordinary woman in the village but she’s got a twist about her, she will fight for her family by all means necessary.
“She would just put up a different personality and do what she needs to do at the time to survive. She would use her gun without thinking twice. So Moretlo is not your ordinary damsel; at war she changes into something very different,” the former Muvhango actress said.
Outlaws is South Africa’s first Morden-day Western series and Mmabatho said she had to do stunts.
“We ride horses, we shoot guns, we do things I never thought I would do but always wanted to do. Some of them are a bit demanding. Because of that, there’s an opportunity for body-doubles here and there.”
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MMABATHO’S CO STARS
Mmabatho co-stars alongside fresh faces Lehlohonolo Mayeza and Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku, SAFTA winner Nolwazi Shange (The River, Mzali Wami), two-time SAFTA nominee Siyabonga Shibe (Shaka iLembe, The Wife, Gaz’lam), Men’s Health Cover Guy Challenge winner Mnqobi Kunene (How To Manifest a Man) and man of the moment, Thembinkosi Mthembu (Adulting, Shaka iLembe, The River).
