Sitole's US role was beyond her dreams
Landing a Hollywood role is every actor's dream.
Even for local actress Phumzile Sitole, being billed to appear on an international series alongside big names such as Delroy Lindo and Christine Baranski still feels surreal.
Sitole, 27, will make her international debut on the second episode of the The Good Fight, a spin-off of the hit series The Good Wife, which will premiere on Febraury 19 on CBS All Access in the US.
"It feels a little surreal and thrilling. I've always been told that access to these kind of opportunities is at your fingertips in New York but I never really believed that included me. So it shocked me to get the phone call from my manager. I was confused," Sitole recalls.
She says that the call came a day after her audition and she started shooting the following day.
"My first day on set was on November 16. It was all a happy birthday gift as my birthday is on November 18."
She has finished shooting and will appear in two episodes.
"My part is listed as co-star, possible recurring - so there is a chance that they could write me into a coming episode. That is what I am hoping for - I miss being on set," she says.
Of her experience on set, Sitole says: "It's incredible to work with people who are so established in their careers as well as in themselves as human beings. There is an authenticity to all the people I've met on set that I hope to nurture and grow as I continue my work."
The Pimville, Soweto-born actress moved to New York shortly after she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre and performance from the University of Cape Town to study a Masters of Fine Arts in acting at Columbia University.
The dark-skinned beauty tells Time Out that she always had an interest in theatre but that changed when she graduated.
"I am a theatre kid and I came here to study the craft and dig deeper into views of all sides of the world, on how they do what I love. The TV thing didn't ever 'suit' me per se, but what you learn quickly in grad school here is that being open to all facets of your career is vital."
Sitole features in the series as an assistant to Lindo, who plays the character of top Chicago lawyer Robert Boseman.
The Good Fight is an American legal and political drama which will see the main characters from The Good Wife in a financial scam which destroys the reputation of Maia (played by Rose Leslie).
Sitole has great memories of her upbringing.
"I was raised by two extraordinary God-fearing individuals who never batted an eyelid when I mentioned I was going to pursue a career in the arts.
"My late dad Archie Sitole was convinced Oprah and I had something in common. My mom, Dorah Sitole is in a league of her own, and has always been a beacon to illuminate the possibilities in many dreams," she says.
"Some would say I was born performing, but the earliest recollection of when I grew a serious interest in performance was at a high school that allowed me to take speech and drama as a final matric subject. St Mary"s school in Waverley was a big foundation for my theatre interests," she says.
Her resumé paints a picture of a well-trained actress who has been on more acting stages than she has been recognised for.
She has worked on stages such as the Market Theatre and has recently toured with a production of Antigone, directed by Gregory Mosher, where she played the lead role of Antigone in Kenya and South Africa.
On coming back home, Sitole says she is in no hurry as the world is still her playground.
madibogoj@sowetan.co.za