Faith Baloyi’s character will test the viewers as they will love to hate her. Images supplied

‘Blood Psalms’: Get to know the ‘horrible’ Queen Assili [watch]

African fantasy series ‘Blood Psalms’ will feature a matriarch, Queen Assili, fighting toxic male governance with magic…

by Thandeka Mthethwa

20-09-2022 13:54

in Entertainment

Faith Baloyi’s character will test the viewers as they will love to hate her. Images supplied

Showmax’s Original African fantasy series Blood Psalms is almost here and while we wait for 28 September, let’s get to know Flatland’s breakout star Faith Baloyi who will play the role of Queen Assili.

Baloyi stars in the series where she is the “Magi” of the mystical Uchawi kingdom.

ALSO READ: Former ‘Gomora’ actor Zolisa Xaluva scores role in ‘Blood Psalms’

QUEEN ASSILI: ‘SHE’S A HORRIBLE HUMAN BEING’

According to streaming platform Showmax, Bokang Phelane (Keeping Score, Isidingo) has the role of a lifetime as Princess Zazi, a fiercely determined teenage princess at the centre of the prophecy. She must face people plotting for power, angry gods and many dark secrets to save herself and her people.

“Queen Assili is the chief matriarch of the Uchawi tribe, but she doesn’t dwell with her tribe,” Baloyi explained.

“She currently serves as a magician for King Letsha and the Akachi tribe. However, she is using her powers for her own gain. Not only does she manipulate King Letsha but the Akachi kingdom is also controlled by her. She is trying to restore the power that has been lost for her own people and her own kingdom, so a lot is at stake.

“She will dispose of anyone and use anyone, including our own children. She’s a ‘horrible’ human being; viewers are gonna love to hate her.”

Faith Baloyi is the cunning and dubious Queen Assili in ‘Blood Psalms’. Image: Supplied

ALSO READ: Mothusi Magano on nudity & rain-soaked scenes in ‘Blood Psalms’

‘BLOOD PSALMS’: A WOMAN FIGHTING MEN

Baloyi says the Blood Psalms storyline has a lot of patriarchy that comes with toxic male governance. Queen Assili uses her powers to try and balance things. Her ways are unconventional, but her reasoning is that she is fighting for feminine space in a male-dominated structure.

“She is such a wonderful character to play and I had so much fun portraying her. This character can be so open-ended so I had a lot of room to play and develop the character in my own way.”

Because of the bad things that Queen Assili does, Baloyi explains that she had to remind herself constantly that she is not her character.

“I had to re-align myself by engaging in activities that helped me get back to myself.”

Queen Assili is the matriarch that will do anything by using her powers in the new series ‘Blood Psalms’. Image: Supplied

ALSO READ: ‘Blood Psalms’: Q&A with Bongile Mantsai who stars as Hlengu

WHY WATCH ‘BLOOD PSALMS’?

Baloyi says people should watch Blood Psalms because nothing like it has ever been made. It is a first of its kind.

From the themes being explored to its aesthetic as a whole. It’s a first of its kind.

The first two episodes of Blood Psalms will premiere on Showmax on 28 September 2022, with new episodes every Wednesday until the end of November 2022.