‘Red Ink’ actress Nqobile Khumalo. Image via Twitter @philmphela
‘She is the bravest young woman I’ve ever played’: Nqobile Nunu Khumalo on ‘Red Ink’ role
Actress Nqobile ‘Nunu’ Khumalo opens up about gender-based violence and playing her character in ‘Red Ink’.
‘Red Ink’ actress Nqobile Khumalo. Image via Twitter @philmphela
South African Film and Television Wards (SAFTA) nominee Nqobile Nunu Khumalo stars in the Showmax Original Red Ink, which premiered on 9 February 2024.
The eight-part thriller is based on Angela Makholwa’s best-selling debut novel of the same name.
In the series, the Nqobile and The Herd star plays journalist turned publicist Lucy Khambule, who is approached by an imprisoned serial killer to tell his story. Lucy jumps at the opportunity to reclaim her dream of being an acclaimed author, but the more she descends into the mind of a killer, the more she uncovers a criminal conspiracy that puts her life at risk.
NQOBILE KHUMALO ON HER ROLE IN ‘RED INK’
Khumalo says she had not read Red Ink before stepping into her big role.
“I didn’t know about the book before I was asked to audition but I quickly found out in my research how popular and loved the book is, among Black women especially,” she says.
According to the actress, Lucy has many important relationships in her life and engaging fully with each of them while maintaining emotional continuity required a lot of focus. In addition, it required her to always be 100% in the moment with each character.
The former Scandal! actress explains what made her accept the Red Ink project: “I love adventure, risk and the opportunity to learn something new about myself and the world I live in – things I knew I would be able to do with this character. Lucy Khambule’s journey is one I have great gratitude for being a part of.”
THE ACTRESS OPENS UP ABOUT GBV
Throughout the season, viewers see Khumalo’s character navigate dangerous territories in her life where she’s less in control. As an actress, Khumalo explains how she sheds off the abuse that the character goes through when you are off set
“I’ve tackled storylines that involve themes of GBV and femicide before, and I think similarly in previous cases, I don’t shed anything off. It’s more of a case of incorporating all my life’s realities into the picture and finding a way to accept the multiple truths that exist for me.
“As a survivor of GBV, I accept that telling these stories is a part of my ministry and that it’s not something I have to erase after I engage in the material. It is a reality for many. The fact that I am a part of the performance doesn’t give me the privilege of pretending it’s not true. Art is imitating life here – life for many South Africans living in this country.“
