‘Gqeberha The Empire’ actor Phila Madlingozi. Image via Twitter @PopPulseSA
‘Gqeberha: The Empire’: Inside Phila Madlingozi’s exit, replacement
‘Gqeberha: The Empire’ actor Phila Madlingozi, who portrays Ntando Mxenge has reportedly exited the show and has been replaced.
‘Gqeberha The Empire’ actor Phila Madlingozi. Image via Twitter @PopPulseSA
Gqeberha: The Empire popular actor Phila Madlingozi has reportedly exited the show after the departure of leading actor Mbulelo Grootboom, who played his father Luzuko Mxenge.
ALSO READ: ‘Gqeberha: The Empire’ remains the second most-watched TV show on DStv
PHILA MADLINGOZI: DEPARTURE
Entertainment commentator Jabu Mcdonalds reports that fan-favourite Gqeberha: The Empire actor Phila Madlingozi is leaving the telenovela and may be replaced with Oros Mampofu.
A source from production informed Zimoja that Madlingozi was fired for arriving late for work: “He was always late for production. He would arrive drunk for work and sometimes hungover. He thought he had arrived, and this was highly unprofessional. He is also diva on set and makes unreasonable demands,” said the source.
Madlingozi told the publication he’s moved on to other projects and he’s shooting another show for Showmax, when he was contacted.
“I can’t say what happened as I don’t want to entertain this. Things were supposed to happen the way it did. I am done shooting the show and I am working on other projects.”
Former Skeem Saam actor, Mampofu will reportedly play Zimkhitha’s (Zandile Msutwana) son, Ntando Mxenge in the second season.
BRCSA reported in November that the show secured second place on DStv with 829 000 viewers, while TVSA also revealed in October that the isiXhosa telenovela scored 914 000 viewers.
Mnet stated in July that there are no plans to cancel South Africa’s first isiXhosa telenovela Gqeberha: The Empire. The channel added that the show is scheduled to remain on-air for the foreseeable future and that plans are in progress for a second season.
ALSO READ:Gqeberha: The Empire: If Luzuko is infertile, who fathered his kids?
‘GQEBERHA: THE EMPIRE’ VIEWERS REACT TO ACTOR’S EXIT AND REPLACEMENT
@waraidzo: “His acting was rather flat for me…lacked emotions most times…”
@KholofeloMilli2: “Kanti ayipheli?? We on episode 235 now surely the season should end around January or February.”
@Lutho12356: “Ntando is better than Oros, meaning Gqeberha will be worse.”
@Lucas_selowa: “Drama never never misses a chance when it comes to catching this one. Hayi uyagodola nyani!!”
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