Katlego Lebogang is taking on one of her most demanding roles yet in Season 2 of BET’s hit thriller series Average Joe, stepping into the action-heavy part of Imani, a spirited young woman from Cape Town whose life becomes entangled with Joe Washington, played by Deon Cole. After appearing in projects including Yoh Christmas! and Spinners, Lebogang now finds herself at the heart of dangerous confrontations, family turmoil and high-octane set pieces in the international production.
In discussing the role, Lebogang opened up about the demanding audition journey, performing almost all of her own stunts and the importance of African stories being told with local talent. Her reflections were accompanied by social media posts from her own account, @katlego.lebogang_, as well as a post from BET Plus.
How Katlego Lebogang won the part
Imani stood out to Lebogang from the moment she read the character description because the role felt unlike anything she had previously played. With just several days to prepare for her first audition, she watched the entire first season of Average Joe to understand the show’s world and tone. The experience only strengthened her determination to join the series, leaving her excited and thinking, “I need to be part of this.”
Although Lebogang approaches every job with the same level of commitment, she admitted that this opportunity carried a special weight. Something about the project made her want it more intensely than usual, giving her the distinct sense that it mattered “just a little bit more” than other roles.
The selection process lasted close to two months, moving from the first self-tapes through several callbacks. During the chemistry test, she quickly formed an easy bond with creator Robb Cullen and Cole. She described their first meeting as instantly warm, playful and effortless, saying they connected from the opening greeting. Even after building an impressive list of credits, Lebogang added that the thrill of being offered a part remains just as powerful and “never gets old.”
Putting her body on the line
Although Imani is youthful, lively and fun-loving, portraying her demanded serious physical preparation. Lebogang’s work on Spinners had already introduced her to firearm handling and tactical movement, but Average Joe raised the intensity with action involving moving cars, rapid sequences and considerably larger set pieces.
She worked closely with the stunt department and stunt double Sne Mbatha, while also pushing herself to handle as much of the action as possible. Lebogang estimated that she completed roughly 90% of her own stunts, stopping only when a sequence became genuinely unsafe. The fighting scenes, in particular, were performed by her.
Doing her own action work has long been one of the aspects of acting that excites her most. As someone who is naturally athletic and enjoys physical challenges, she said she relishes the chance to bring that side of herself into a performance.
Her everyday commitment to fitness has also become an important part of her professional preparation. Lebogang explained that maintaining her strength and endurance means she is ready when a demanding production begins, rather than having to rush into shape. She makes a point of looking after her body and continuing to build her stamina because it is the instrument through which she creates her art.
Further posts from Lebogang’s social media account documented her connection to the project and the physical demands of the role.
Celebrating African storytelling
Working on an international set with several production units operating at the same time exposed Lebogang to an expansive, world-class filmmaking environment. At the same time, collaborating with major international figures and leading South African professionals reinforced her belief that the fundamentals of the craft remain universal.
“The craft is the craft,” she said, adding that film and television professionals ultimately communicate through the same creative language.
Season 2 was filmed entirely in Cape Town, an experience that strengthened Lebogang’s pride in South African crews and performers while showcasing the country’s creative capabilities. She said productions that employ people from the region make it clear that South Africa already possesses the resources, expertise and talent required to deliver work on an international level.
For Lebogang, the project arrived at an especially exciting moment for African storytellers. The experience also left her with a lasting reminder that a career can move in directions once thought impossible, and that there is no fixed ceiling on what someone can achieve.
“The moment your dreams begin to frighten you, you know they are finally big enough,” she said, encouraging others to continue imagining more for themselves. Her final message was simple: keep dreaming, and make those dreams even bigger.
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