Gugu Gumede shines as Joyce in The Polygamist, earning global praise.
ACTRESS Gugu Gumede enjoys widespread acclaim for her latest role.
She stars as Joyce in Netflix’s hit drama series, The Polygamist.
Her performance has earned her praise from audiences around the world.
The 34-year-old actress from Ulundi, KZN, has become a household name through her memorable performances on Mzansi television.
She’s best known for her role as MaMlambo on SABC1’s hit soapie Uzalo, and has also appeared in popular productions such as Generations and eHostela.
Speaking during an interview on Metro FM’s Best Mornings, Gugu opened up about her journey in the entertainment industry and the overwhelming reception to her latest role.
“Fourteen years in the making. I’ve been in this industry, and I’ve been praying for a role like this. I haven’t slept in days. I just can’t believe that one can dream, and a dream can actually be realised in this manner. It feels surreal. It’s a pinch-me moment.”
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Gugu revealed that she knew The Polygamist was special from the moment she received the script.
“When we got the script and started reading, that’s when we knew that we had something absolutely golden in our hands,” she said.
Her portrayal of Joyce, a deeply layered and emotionally complex character, has been singled out by viewers and critics alike.
However, Gugu insists that bringing the character to life came naturally.
“Joyce was actually not a difficult character to bring to life. All my training, all my life’s experiences, the bad, the ugly, the good, my grief, everything brought me to this moment. I feel like it was all for Joyce,” she said.
The actress also shared her approach to acting, explaining that she doesn’t subscribe to method acting.
Instead, she believes in observation, empathy and research.
“I think as humans, we understand each other’s behaviours. It takes research and understanding people. When you’re susceptible to human behaviour, it makes it easier to portray a person who is that layered,” she added.