Benedict making her mark

ON THE RISE: Maggie Benedict portrays Akhona Miya on Generations
ON THE RISE: Maggie Benedict portrays Akhona Miya on Generations

AWARD-WINNING actress Maggie Benedict is not your average girl next door ... her quest to succeed remains unquestionable.

Maggie won in the South African Film and Television Awards for her moving and emotive role in the film Darfur. The film went on to scoop Best International Film award at the New York International Film Festival.

She is currently gracing our TV screens as Akhona Miya on soapie Generations.

Maggie was born and raised in Mamelodi, Pretoria. Her father is a medical doctor while her mother has retired from her teaching job.

An avid reader, Maggie would be found hanging around in libraries even during her formative years.

She studied Musical Theatre at Pretoria Technikon, where she graduated in 2002. She landed her first television role as Lebo in 7de Laan. She was then cast in a beautiful 1920s musical set in New York, Thoroughly Modern Millie.

"I spent a year studying in New York and have travelled extensively with touring shows and in a personal capacity.

"I have been on stage and television, and I feel comfortable and excited tackling characters on both sides."

She auditioned and was accepted at the oldest private studio in New York, Michael Howard Studios, in September 2007. After graduating, she landed roles in Does Anyone Know Sarah Paisner and Anais Nin Goes To Hell, which she played with aplomb.

Thereafter, Maggie shared her time between stage productions and television shows, including theatre shows Showboat, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Cinderella, and Jesus Christ Superstar.

On the small screen, she mesmerised audiences in Snitch, Justice For All, Hard Copy 3 and Isidingo, to mention just a few.

She came back to South Africa in 2008, and landed a role in The #1 Ladies Detective Agency alongside Jill Scott and Anika Noni Rose, while at the same time going through gruelling lessons in Arabic in preparation for her role in Darfur.

She also played a lead role in SABC2's The Mating Game.

She met Robyn Olivia Heaney, and together they started HB (Heaney Benedict) Pictures. They produce television, film and corporate productions.

Maggie believes she is a blessed woman.

"Starring at the Baxter Theatre, making my New York debut on the same stage as Morgan Freeman, and working with the likes of Jerry Mofokeng is a dream come true and the highlight of my career," the content looking Maggie says.

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