M-Net’s highly awaited new local series Devil’s Peak has dropped its launch trailer – giving viewers a glimpse of the intrigue that awaits. The upcoming five-episode crime thriller is based on the best-selling 2004 novel by world-renowned South African writer Deon Meyer, and airs Sunday 29 October at 20:00, only on M-Net (DStv channel 101).
This flagship series is set to disrupt M-Net’s Sunday movie slot for the duration of its five episodes; viewers can tune in at 21:00 on Sundays for the Sunday movie.
Devil’s Peak is a driving multi-layered crime thriller set within one of the most beautiful yet divided cities on earth: Cape Town. Based on Deon Meyer’s best-selling novel, the show follows talented but broken detective Benny Griessel, who is tasked with tracking down righteous yet bloody vigilante serial killer Thobela Mpayipheli, whose crimes are capturing the imagination of the city.
Whilst circling one another, Benny and Thobela are brought into the orbit of desperate trapped single mother Christine, willing to do anything to achieve a better life for herself and her daughter. The fates of these three characters become inextricably linked as the series builds to its explosive climax. Combining gripping tension with uncompromising authenticity, Devil’s Peak offers an original South African take on the investigative thriller.
Read more about each character and the actor/actress that portrays the character:
Benny Griessel (played by Hilton Pelser)
Benny Griessel – A troubled Afrikaans detective driven to depression and alcoholism by his exposure to Cape Town’s rampant violence and corruption. Benny's escalating panic attacks have started to get the better of him, as his drinking threatens to derail both his marriage and career. Despite his fragile state of mind, Benny continues to hide from his problems, relying on his authority, quick wit and affable nature to get by. Benny's hunt for the Assegai Killer will force him to confront uncomfortable sides of himself and challenge his beliefs about the nature of good and evil.
Benny is portrayed by local talent Hilton Pelser, best known for his roles in the Starz series Dangerous Liaisons and the Kissing Booth trilogy, as well as critically acclaimed local films Moffie and Glasshouse.
“Benny is drowning in a world of chaos. And his struggle with addiction might cause him to lose the only thing keeping him alive. ‘I need to be better for my wife and my little girl’”, Hilton says.
Thobela Mpayipheli (played by Sisanda Henna)
Thobela Mpayipheli – When a family tragedy strikes, Thobela, a retired Secret Service operative, takes matters into his own hands. Putting his combat and surveillance skills to use, and employing an assegai spear to kill his victims, Thobela's vengeance captures the imagination of a city in pain. Thobela wants his victims to understand the reasons for their deaths, but the more violence he commits, the more he risks losing himself.
Thobela is played by Sisanda Henna, who starred in M-Net’s hit series Trackers, which achieved top ratings on the pan-African channel. Notable works include Rogue with Megan Fox, Inconceivable and self-directed One Night Kwa Mxolisi.
“Through it all, Devil’s Peak is about a father’s love and how nothing can stop it,” says Sisanda. “The director [Jozua Malherbe] and I always connected on that.”
Anna Griessel (played by Shamilla Miller)
Anna Griessel – A fearless journalist married to Benny Griessel, Anna was first drawn to Benny’s wild charisma, but his deepening alcohol dependency has tested Anna’s patience to the limit. Practically raising their daughter alone, Anna isn’t going to let Benny, or anyone, take away everything she’s worked so hard for. An article about the disappearance of a young boy draws Anna into the world of the Assegai Killer and her journalistic skill will prove useful for Benny. But whilst Anna wants Benny to turn things around, she’s going to do what’s right for herself and her family.
Anna is portrayed by Shamilla Miller, who starred in Girl from St. Agnes and Troy: Fall of a City.
“Playing Anna was challenging and rewarding. She’s a tough cookie and knows how to handle delicate situations with grace,” Shamilla says.
Christine van Rooyen (played by Tarryn Wyngaard)
Christine van Rooyen – Mother to a young daughter and struggling to get by, Christine earns extra money attending parties thrown by Cape Town’s shady businessmen. Determined and resourceful but at the same time routinely underestimated, Christine’s ability to exploit other people’s preconceptions of her will end up being her greatest weapon as she is drawn into the world of the Assegai Killer.
Christine is portrayed by Tarryn Wyngaard, known for local productions Arendsvlei and Noem My Skollie as well as international hits The Watch and Raised by Wolves.
“Although the series is action packed, Christine brings a feminine flair that proves equally deadly,” says Tarryn. “She’s the ultimate strategist.”
Anton Heidt (played by Albert Pretorius)
Anton Heidt – He works hard to project an image of legitimacy as an affluent businessman and property tycoon, but the widely recognised truth is that Heidt’s fortune rests not on bricks and mortar but on protection rackets, blackmail and violence. Heidt’s wealth and power sustains the illusion that he can take whatever he wants, whenever he wants it.
He’s played by Albert Pretorius, best known for series such as Nêrens Noord-Kaap, Donkerbos, Fynskrif and Spreeus as well as movies, including Johnny Is Nie Dood Nie and Stiekyt.
“I think audiences can expect a roller-coaster of twists and turns, edge-of-your-seat action, a flawed hero in Benny Griessel and storytelling that keeps you engaged the way only Deon Meyer can,” Albert says of the show.
Mbali Kaleni (played by Masasa Mbangeni)
Mbali Kaleni – She is one of SAPS’s few university-educated officers and is a stand-out young detective. Mbali puts up with her colleagues’ condescension and sexism, focussing instead on furthering her career, and although she sees Benny as the poster boy for white male privilege, the pair develop a begrudging respect for one another. Mbali admires Benny’s intuitive hunches and recognises that despite his recklessness, he tends in the right direction.
She’s played by Masasa Mbangeni, known for M-Net and Mzansi Magic hits Legacy and The Republic.
Col Themba Genge (played by Litha Bam)
Col Themba Genge – He is a loving husband and happy home life are sources of great comfort, enabling him to cope with the horrors that surround him at work. Genge is an authoritative and pragmatic leader and, as one of the few people aware of the true extent of Benny’s drinking, a vital ally to Benny, encouraging him to seek help. However, over the course of the series Genge and Benny’s relationship will be tested by Benny’s increasingly erratic behaviour.
He’s played by Litha Bam, whose CV includes One Piece, Raised by Wolves, The Mauritanian, and The Fix.
“I’m incredibly excited to be a part of a South African production of this calibre, playing a role that challenged me in ways I hadn’t anticipated,” says Litha. “I really believe that this one is going to be very special.”
Boef Beukes (played by by Gérard Rudolf)
Boef Beukes – He is an experienced SAPS officer brought into Benny’s Assegai Killer investigation. Boef is a close ally of Benny’s, both as a friend and as a colleague, supporting Benny at his lowest and backing his unconventional policing methods, even when doing so puts Boef himself in the firing line.
He’s portrayed by Gérard Rudolf, who starred in Arende II and the award-winning movie Moffie.
The show also stars: Soli Philander, Dawid Minnaar, Faith Baloyi, Daniel Richards, Thuli Thabethe, Tshamano Sebe, Lee Roodt, Gideon Drotschie, Sinako Lungiso, Sizwe Msutu, Adrian Collins, Rob van Vuuren, Brendan Murray, Motsi Tekateka, Athule Mazana, Jock Kleynhans, Julian Place, Cassidy Nicholson, Duane Williams, Craig Adriaanse, Aisha Sterris, Khadija Heeger, Boleng Mogotsi, Tamer Burjaq, Ntombi Makhutsi, Charlton George, Zintle Mayaphi, Michele Burgers, Toni Jean Erasmus, Thulani Nzonzo, Shane Manie, Amrain Ismail-Essop, Chima Okafor, Kazi Khuboni, Estella Nel, Siphenathi Qeja, Mpumi Sizani, Roberto Kyle, Themba Nofemele, Genna Galloway, Rea Segoati, Bongolihle Mpoyiya, Lester Kiewit and Alwyn Marx.
The action-packed trailer gives viewers a glimpse of a Cape Town as beautiful as it is brutal, as well as introductions to the cast. We see Benny struggling with his addiction, Thobela on a path of vengeance, Anna in her fraught relationship, and Mbali weighing in on the case. The trailer ends with Benny stating: “Whoever did this – he’s going to do it again.”
Don’t miss out on this locally shot, gripping South African tale of crime, morality and the human spirit.
Devil’s Peak is proudly brought to you by M-Net and DStv – the home of the best world-class entertainment from the world’s top studios and streamers. The series will premiere on Sunday 29 October at 20:00. It will be live-streamed on DStv Stream and is available on DStv Catch Up after broadcast.
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