e.TV is gearing up for nail-biting Monday. This is as the channel is just hours away from introducing two new television weekday soapies. First is Nikiwe which takes over from medical-drama Durban Gen. Then this will be followed by the premiere of Smoke & Mirrors, which takes over Imbewu: The Seed’s time slot.
Ahead of the premiere of the soapie, e.TV had already shared the premise of the show stating:
“Smoke & Mirrors is set in the landscape of a small mining town called Emnyameni. Here, we come to learn that the story lives up to its name- nothing and no one is truly as they seem. Introducing the character of Thandiswa, a hairdresser by day, an escort by night, and a girl on a mission to rid the town of “The Unholy Trinity”, the group of morally corrupt men who run Emnyameni.”
With a stellar cast which introduces Ayanda Bandla as the title character of Thandiswa. She is supported by veteran talent, including main antagonist Zolisa Xaluva as Caesar, the “Unholy Trinity” leader, and a supporting cast including veterans like Yizo Yizo alum Meshack Mavuso-Magubane and Charmaine Mtinta, Lusanda Mbane, Kabomo Vilakazi, Siya Raymond and Zinhle Mabena.
As the countdown to the official premiere of the first episode begins at 21:00 on e.TV, the real question is whether Smoke & Mirrors is worth the watch?
What to expect from Smoke & Mirrors episode one
On Sunday, 16 April 2023, e.TV hosted an exclusive Johannesburg premiere of Nikiwe at the Joburg Theatre. The event included the cast, crew and members of the media all getting an opportunity to see the first episode of the soapie.
As such, is Smoke * Mirrors worth watching?
Zuko Nodada, the executive producer and main director of Smoke & Mirrors, shared that the soapie’s first season has a simple premise which is already stated. As such, fans can expect intrigue, drama, suspense and stellar performances from the cast.
As such, the highlights of watching the first episode include:
The premise of the first season and the characters’ motives are laid out within the first ten minutes of the story. A fact which makes it difficult to have the ability to distinguish the difference between Johannesburg and Emmnyameni, which are the two locations the story is based.
Secondly, but most importantly, the acting within the first episode makes each characterisation and performance compelling. Whether it is the theatrics and mannerism of Meshack as politician Jaxon, pronounced as Jackson, or Kabomo is quiet and obedient “sheriff” of the town with a dark side.
However, it is arguable that it is the performance of leading man Zolisa Xaluva as Caesar is what will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This is as he manages to find nuances in playing this character which can be easily compared to the likes of The Queen’s Diamond Mabuza or Kings of Jo’burg’s Mo, Xaluva finds a way to make this villainous character distinct in his lineup of other memorable characters.
Moreover, given that the soapie will be airing Mondays to Fridays, the first episode cannot really decide whether the soapie will be worth the watch in the long run. As such, the true teller of the potential of Smoke & Mirrors will be more apparent at the end of its first week on our screens.
