Seasoned actor Hlomla Dandala is bidding farewell to e.tv’s hit drama Smoke ‘n Mirrors as it enters its third season.
Dandala joined the telenovela on season 2 to replace Zolisa Xaluva.
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Hlomla Dandala Leaves Smoke n Mirrors
The actor confirmed his departure to Drum, revealing his role as Caesar was always intended to end.
“The character was always going to end at the end of the season. That’s how he was pitched to me at the beginning of the season. So it’s nothing new. The character was always going to die,” Dandala explained.
In a surprising twist, the character will not be killed off but instead recast. Siyabonga Thwala, another veteran actor, will take over the role.
“Although they speak different languages, the actor will replace Hlomla. His contract has come to an end with the show, and given the magnitude of his character, he won’t be killed off,” a source close to the production revealed.
The Constant Changes
Dandala joined the cast to replace Zolisa Xaluva and faced initial scepticism from fans. Despite this, he embraced the challenge and expressed enthusiasm for the third season in a prior interview.
However, a source disclosed that Dandala’s exit was a last-minute decision.
“Hlomla was penciled in for the new season, but things changed at the last minute. He wasn’t meant to leave the show, but there was a last-minute decision to replace his character. He will appear for the next two weeks before going off screen,” the source said.
The decision to bring in Thwala has sparked speculation about how viewers will respond to the change.
“Due to the unpredictability of the viewers, we still don’t know how they’ll react to Siyabonga, as seasoned as he is. It wasn’t easy for Hlomla, but only time will tell how he’ll fit into the show,” the source added.