Netflix has officially dropped its very first South African telenovela, The Polygamist, and it has quickly become the most talked-about release of June, sparking endless debates online.
The 22-episode superpower drama follows Joyce Gomora, a social media darling whose picture-perfect life and unshakeable marriage shatter when the secret, chaotic double life of her self-made CEO husband, Jonasi Gomora, completely unravels.
To help navigate this intense story, the main cast members shared insights into the mental preparation and personal connections required to bring these complex characters to life.
The Central Couple
Gugu Gumede as Joyce Gomora
Joyce is the emotionally rooted heart of the series—a woman dealing with the ultimate betrayal. While Gugu herself isn’t a product of a polygamous home, both her father and maternal grandfather practiced polygamy.
“This is a story that’s true to so many South African households,” Gugu shared. “Every second household where I come from has experienced this in some way. You understand the grave task you’re taking on of having to tell all these people’s stories honestly.”
S’dumo Mtshali as Jonasi Gomora
Jonasi is the powerful, wealthy villain of the story whose infidelity drives the plot. S’dumo intentionally approached the character without trying to make him likable.
“The problem, especially us Black men, is that we view men like this and we celebrate them… I needed people to see him and not celebrate him. The things that he does are bad!”
The Supporting Cast & “The Other Women”
Kwanele Mthethwa as Matipa
Matipa is one of the highly educated, modern, and confident women fighting for her place in Jonasi’s life. Kwanele wanted to avoid playing her as a typical manipulative seductress. Instead, she viewed Matipa as an ambitious woman who simply believes she deserves intellectual partnership and stability.
Sthandiwe Kgoroge as Joyce’s Mother
Representing the older generation, her character often pressures Joyce to stay due to societal expectations. Sthandiwe hopes her performance serves as a mirror for real-life parents to make sure they are creating safe spaces for their children rather than worrying about “what people will say.”
Kenneth Nkosi as Magesh
Magesh is Jonasi’s older brother, who finds himself living in the shadow of his younger, wealthier sibling. Bound by a mixture of loyalty and financial dependency, Magesh acts as Jonasi’s protector until he eventually finds his own voice and teams up with Joyce to stop the destruction.
Luyanda Zwane as Lindani
Playing another woman caught in Jonasi’s web, Luyanda tapped into her own personal history of leaving the hood in Umlazi to capture Lindani’s desperate desire to escape her circumstances and build a different life.
