Gail Mabalane reprises her role as Zenzi Mwale in 'Unseen 2'.
Image: Netflix
Gail Mabalane is arguably one of the most talented yet overlooked actresses in South Africa, a claim I don’t make lightly.
Mabalane may not have the lengthy acting credentials of her peers, but she has a profound understanding of the craft and exhibits significant commitment through her method acting approach.
I still can’t understand why she didn’t bag a South African Film and Television Awards nod for her magnificent portrayal of Zenzi Mwale in the first season of Netflix’s “Unseen”.
Seriously, how could she have been snubbed?
After being mesmerised by her performance in season one of “Unseen”, I didn’t think she could surpass it. I was mistaken.
She blows that performance out of the water in the follow-up season.
Gambit Film’s second instalment of “Unseen” debuted without much fanfare on the streaming platform, but the ingenious six-part series packs a serious punch, from the stellar storytelling and casting to the execution.
The new instalment picks up from the aftermath of season one, where Zenzi, in trying to find her ex-con husband Max (Vuyo Dabula), who goes missing after being released, finds herself using her nondescript status to bring down a massive criminal syndicate that he took the fall for.
Tragically, her son becomes collateral damage, and her acts of vigilantism create significant disruption.
Currently behind bars, Zenzi’s greatest ally is Detective Lyners (Ilse Klink), who is determined to dismantle the criminal organisation behind the litany of corruption and murder that led to Zenzi's incarceration.
Meanwhile, Detective Morkel (Waldermar Schultz), who is Lyners ex, believes the case is over and she is just grasping at straws with her investigation.
When Zenzi, who is pregnant, is violently attacked in prison by fellow inmate TK (Danica Jones), followed by Lyners being killed, Morkel realises that there is more to the story than meets the eye.
However, his captain, Eric Davids (Kevin Smith), hands the investigation over to Detective Visser (Erica Wessels).
Zolisa Xaluva, Dineo Langa and Gail Mabalane in 'Unseen 2'.
Image: Netflix
With Zenzi proving to be a loose end that needs to be wrapped up, especially with business tycoon Andrew Harting (Frank Rautenbach) on the brink of signing an electricity deal that benefits his influential partners from various sectors, including government, he orders his legal right-hand, Reuben Theron (Colin Moss), to take care of it.
Fortunately, Zenzi, after escaping an attack on her life in the hospital, is aided by her sister Naledi (Dineo Langa) - much to the displeasure of her doctor husband John (Zolisa Xaluva) - as well as prominent author Lufuno (Mothusi Magano).
Desperate for a fresh start, Zenzi is unable to get away as TK and S’bu (Siv Ngesi) take her sister and brother-in-law hostage, forcing her to return and face the music.
In the second instalment, the writers delve into Zenzi and Naledi’s traumatic childhood, bringing their father (played by the late Sello Motloung) into the picture and expanding on how they were bonded by their “We fight, we stay together, we survive” stance.
Frank Rautenbach as business tycoon Andrew Harting in 'Unseen'.
Image: Netflix
Maintaining the quick pacing established in the initial instalment, each episode concludes with a suspenseful cliffhanger.
The action is taken up several notches as Zenzi finds herself trapped between survival and protective mode.
Each actor enacts their role with praiseworthy gravitas, particularly Rautenbach, who impressively handles his multilingual dialogue and commanding presence.
Langa's genuine sass and unwavering loyalty, along with Jones's unsettlingly smooth transitions between loving mother and ruthless killer, create a compelling dynamic in the series.
Overall, this praiseworthy series is wonderfully anchored by Mabalane, who, through her performance, delivers an acting masterclass. Let’s hope she gets her flowers for it at the next Saftas.
- Rating: 4/5 - a standout series with exceptional qualities.
Below are recommendations of similar series on the same streaming platform:
"Fool Me Once"
Maya Stern is grappling with the violent death of her husband, Joe. After installing a nanny cam to watch her young daughter, Maya is stunned to see Joe in her home. This discovery propels her into a desperate search for the truth behind his appearance.
"Missing You"
Detective Kat Donovan's life takes a dark turn when she discovers her estranged fiancé on a dating app. This unsettling discovery compels Kat to revisit the long-unsolved murder of her father, reopening old wounds and buried secrets.
Her personal investigation becomes entangled with new, interconnected cases.