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Playing a prison junkie is a new challenge for Thandy Matlaila

Picture credit: Instagram.
Picture credit: Instagram.

Seasoned actress Thandy Matlaila says she has stepped out of her comfort zone with a new role.

Playing prison junkie Nhlaka or "NK" on season two of Mzansi Magic's Ring of Lies has been her most challenging role, to date.

"I play a character I've never interacted with before. I visited prisons and researched the life and times of the men and women behind bars," she said. "It's a far cry from the roles I have played before - glamorous and feminine. I don't wear make-up. Some people won't even recognise me. I've had to be real to bring the character to life - for the sake of being real to myself and the viewers."

While being Nhlaka has taken its toll on the respected thespian, she also has to make time for filming another Mzansi Magic series, The Queen, where she portrays ghetto queen Cleopatra Maake.

On the latest Ring of Lies show, the petite actress brings manipulative jailbird Nhlaka to life as a prisoner who will do anything to survive.

"Visiting prisons was an eye-opener on its own. But what irritated me was witnessing the luxurious state of our prison system," Matlaila says.

"Our tax money feeds criminals three meals a day, gives them shelter and clothes - most of all, some are studying for degrees, others are doing masters degrees in disciplines like psychology. No wonder crime is so rampant," she says.

"Today we have kids from poor backgrounds who cannot get education because their parents simply can't afford to. Instead we are giving criminals higher education."

Matlaila celebrated her 30th birthday last week.

Matlaila went to audition to play an 18-year-old on the drama series based on the life of a boxing champion, where she met famed producer Darryl Fuchs .

"Darryl was the director on Tshisa when I played a 17-year-old. He looked at me and said: 'your face looks familiar'. And then said, without flinching: 'you do look like an 18-year-old but I want you for a different role'."

Matlaila's next big project is a drama series in which she teams up with former Skeem Saam actor Bongani Masondo.