EXCLUSIVE: ‘Ludik’ cast talk ‘insane skop, skiet en donner’ [watch]

Streaming platform Netflix is set to release its first Afrikaans title, Ludik, on Friday 26 August. The series features South African-born Hollywood star Arnold Vosloo who plays businessman Daan Ludik.

In an exclusive interview with The South African, Vosloo, Rob van Vuuren, Jandre le Roux and Sean Cameron Michael opened up about what Mzansi can expect from the action-packed six-part series. 

Let’s take a quick look first about what Ludik is all about to whet your appetite!

‘Ludik’: Plot synopsis

Daan Ludik (Arnold Vosloo) has built his own kingdom. This successful furniture salesman is the face of his business. He is heard on radio, seen on television and billboards. Ludik is a family man in the affluent Pretoria East, but with a secret that is connected to the underworld…

With his family life in turmoil, Ludik’s resourcefulness and priorities are constantly challenged as he risks exposure, losing his family, jail time and death. As he struggles to keep his personal relationships and business intact, he has to rely on both old and new allies to prevail.

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Rapid-fire ‘Ludik’ Q&A

Arnold, How does it feel to be back in South Africa and starring as the lead in Netflix’s first Afrikaans series? 

Arnold: “It feels great to be back working for Netflix in Afrikaans, my mother tongue, with a good script, a good cast…It feels really good.”

What makes Daan Ludik different from other characters you’ve played? 

Arnold: “He is not afraid to say ‘no’ to your face. ‘Hy vat nie kak nie’ (He doesn’t take sh*t) and he lets you know what you need to do to make him happy.

“In the past, I’ve had to throw people off the roof of buildings to make that happen, but Daan Ludik persuades them to make hings his way. He’s a guy who solves conflict by threatening people with his mouth.”

Rob van Vuuren: ‘The funny guy’ steps into serious shoes

Rob van Vuuren, South Africans mainly know you as a funny guy…You’ve had roles in a few comedy series but it seems your role in ‘Ludik’ is quite serious. Tell me more about it…

Rob: “It’s a beast of a role. Swys [de Villiers] goes pretty much everywhere emotionally. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of opportunity and he’s such a well-rounded, well-written character.

“It’s not just drama, there are comedic elements to him, he feels like a real person dealing with a very high-stakes environment and he’s underequipped for the situation that he’s in.

“As someone who is known as a comedic actor to get a chance to play with big boys like this with the incredible cast that we had on a production that is going to reach a global audience and that gives an authentic slice of Afrikaans culture and Pretoria… Huge honour, huge privilege. I couldn’t be happier and I couldn’t be prouder.”

All of you have featured on the big screen and now you’re making the transition from the big screen to the small screen on a streaming platform. How has that transition been for you? 

Sean: “I think it’s amazing that more than 200 million people are going to get to watch our show in more than 190 countries. I think that’s a big deal. Very often, when you do a feature film, you’re just hoping to get bums on seats.

“So streaming is the future. The fact that people can watch the show on their mobile phones or iPads or TVs whenever they want and the fact that they can binge watch our six-part miniseries…I think that’s awesome.”

Rob: “So much has changed in the entertainment industry. Longform series is no longer seen as the ‘poorer cousin’ of film. In many respects, it’s more interesting, it’s more popular, you can really dive in a bit deeper and the quality across the board is really good, particularly at Netflix, and this show is testament to that.”

WATCH THE ‘LUDIK’ TRAILER HERE

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What can South Africans expect from the series? 

Jandre: “They can expect to be blown away. It’s got everything. It’s got family drama, it’s got the underworld, it’s got insane ‘skop, skiet en donner’ which I happen to love…All of us, we had our fair share.”

“It’s just an all-rounding thing that’s going to keep you captivated, leave you waiting for more and make you hungry.”

Arnold: “This is the South African answer to Ray Donovan and Ozark. South African audiences have never seen anything like this before.”

Is there a message you hope to send with ‘Ludik’? 

Arnold: “That South Africans can make a product that’s comparable to anyone and anything out there. BRING IT! WE’RE READY!”