Creme of local TV drama

As local TV drama series’ garner massive following from viewers, Pulse unveils the most outstanding characters behind the popular TV shows, write SHIRLEY GENGA AND AUSTINE OKANDE 

They are young and a talented. They capture our senses and emotion whenever we see them on television because they have that X-factor that makes us remember them long after the show is over.

Name: Brenda Wairimu

Age: 23

Show: Mali

What role do you play?

I play the spoilt and loveable Lulu Mali.

How different are you from Lulu?

B: I am polite, sociable and I hate attention. Lulu is loud, uncompromising and arrogant. Sometimes, she appears shallow.

What do you think is your X-factor?

The role of Lulu is very enjoyable, despite her flaws; you still love Lulu.

Do you have any acting preparation ritual?

When doing a sad scene that requires crying, I usually require a quiet set to get the motions right.

What is your favourite role?

I loved playing Dallah in Shuga.

What else do you do apart from acting?

I am a student in my final year. I am a model, emcee and the ambassador for Computer for Growth.

Jacqualine Mwangi

Age: Early 20s

Show: Tahidi High

What is your acting history?

I started acting at a very tender age in my church. I have been fortunate enough to feature in some local commercials, too.

Tell us about your role?

I play a bad girl named Jolene. She is a gossip, naughty and self-centred.

How different is Jolene from you?

Very different. I am one very private person who does not involve herself with other peoples’ business.

What do you think is your X-factor?

In many shows, the bad character takes the day, and Jolene is just that.

Do you have any acting preparation ritual?

Not really, I just puff my hair and get on with it.

What else do you do apart from acting?

I just cleared media school where I majored in Broadcast Journalism.

George Kagwe

Age: 26

Show: Briefcase Inc.

What is your acting history?

I acted in: Unseen, Unsung and Unforgotten. I have also taken part in musicals and theatre productions.

Tell us about your role in Briefcase Inc.?

I play the role of Charles Bingi, who is a person raised in a middle class family, and his parents sent him to the United States for further studies. Once there, he takes another course. He then comes back with the mentality that employment is for wimps and thus begins his expedition on the entrepreneur path.

How different is your personality from Charles?

Charles is mostly obnoxious and I am not.

What do you think is your X-factor — the thing that makes you shine on your show?

I believe its cause of my presence, you cannot dare not see me once I enter a room or your space, for obvious reasons.

What else do you do apart from acting?

I am a musician.

Wilbroda

Age: In her 30s

Show: Papa Shirandula

What is your acting history?

I started acting way back while still in High School but my debut to professional acting was in 1998.

What other roles have you played in other productions?

I featured as a sophisticated woman in a TV drama known as In The Mix that was aired in KBC. I have acted in Better Days and Makutano Junction.

What do you think is your X-factor?

When I get on stage to perform my character, I forget about Jacquey and assume the role of a naive woman from Ugenya dala.

Apart from acting, what else do you do?

I am a radio presenter with Radio Citizen, a professional emcee, producer, singer and a motivational speaker.

What is your acting preparation ritual?

 I change into my costumes, sit alone at a corner, memorise my scripts, whisper a prayer and I am good to go.

Do people sometime assume that you are the same as the roles you play?

That happens a lot. You should see the amusement in people faces when they hear me speak in English or see me driving.

How different are you from the roles you play?

I have a decent educational background and I am understanding.

Milkah Wambui

Age: 23

Show: Lies that Bind

How are you different from Rispa?

Some aspects of my personality are very different than the character on TV. I am more reserved while Rispa is outgoing.

What do you think is your X-factor?

I stand out in Lies That Bind because my character brings comic relief.

What is your acting preparation ritual?

I go through my script until I understand what is expected me. It then becomes easier to get into character when needed.

Where else have you acted?

I have acted in Wash and Set, Demigods and Shuga.

Apart from acting, what else do you do?

I have a cosmetic shop in Roysambu called MaryPetrah. We deal with designer perfumes, handbags, fancy dresses and do temporary tattoos.

Rossie Lawama (Linet Munyali)

Age: Not disclosed

Show: Mashtaka

What is your acting history?

I started acting while in State House Girls and Hillcrest School.

Apart from acting what else do you do?

I am a performing artiste.

Do you have any pre-performance rituals?

I have to pray before going on stage.

Do people sometime assume that you are the same character as the role you play?

No, basically because I wear different personality’s everyday.

Sophia Maiko (Sharon Mutuku)

Age: 22

Show: Machachari

What is your acting history?

I joined Machachari after clearing high school in 2009.

Apart from acting, what else do you do for a living?

I am a Communications student in university.

Do you have any pre performance rituals?

Usually, I take a deep breath, then pray.

Do people sometime assume that you are the same as the roles you play?

Yes, people tease me a lot calling me mboch. Some think I am witty and arrogant.

Man Njoro

Age: A born 1979

Show: Papa Shirandula

What is your acting history?

I started acting at a local church when I was still very young.

Apart from acting, what else do you do?

I run an entertainment company and am also a professional emcee.

How do you prepare for your famous shows?

I make sure I have a sober mind.

Do you have pre-performance rituals?

I like to crack a joke before I go on set.

How different are you from the role you play?

I am a responsible husband and father of three as opposed to my character of Njoro, who seats lazily as a fence attendant.

Catherine Kamau

Age: 25

Show: Mother-In-law

What role do you play?

I play the role of Celina; she is the wife of a drunkard. She is an aggressive, temperamental and dramatic lady. She is not ready to give up hope that her drunkard husband will one day turn over a new leaf. 

What other roles have you played?

I was acting in theatre before I branched into television.

What do you think is your X-factor?

I stand out because whenever I get on set, I remember that I am as good as my last performance.

What is your acting performance ritual?

I usually like to take some little time alone before I get on set — to internalise the script.

 Do people ever confuse you for your character? 

People always feel that you are the character you play.