Local actress Zizipho Buti plays the lead in the Showmax Original series “Soft Life”.
The first episode will premiere on the streaming service on November 18, with new episodes dropping on Mondays.
The show is set in a high-end escort agency as Buti, who also featured in the Mzansi Magic series “Nkululeko” as well as in “Generations: The Legacy”, is cast as Owami Gqoji.
In order to pay her mother’s medical bills, she is forced to become part of the clandestine world of high-society companionship. However, she soon finds herself battling to keep her profession a secret.
“Owami has made me realise that there are so many young people who have found themselves in such compromising situations,” Buti explained in a statement.
“I hope that the story will encourage people to have honest conversations about this."
The actress will be joined by “Isibaya” star Mampho Brescia, who plays Zam, the sophisticated yet strict owner NubiaBlaq, which is a cover for her escort agency, The Girlfriend Experience (GFE).
The rest of the cast include Katlego Lebogang, who featured in “Spinners”, as well as Saftas winner Nambitha Mpumlwana, who appeared in several productions such as “Saints & Sinners”, “Yizo Yizo” and “The Lab”.
The 13-episode drama is created by Vusi Zion for Afriprime and is produced by Urban Brew Studios. Meanwhile, Saftas winners Nozipho Nkelemba and Nthabiseng Mokoena share directing duties.
“‘Soft Life’ is a forward-thinking show where we are dealing with everyday issues happening in society, holding up a mirror to the public,” Nkelemba said.
“It was interesting for me to see how far this subculture (if we can coin it that) has grown since my younger days and how it’s shown so openly in comparison to a few years ago.”
Mokoena added: “I am excited about the great entertainment that the talent brings to the storyline.”
“The cast really immersed themselves in the characters they portrayed. It was awesome to see what they are capable of. More than anything, viewers should also look forward to the new faces who will bring much joy, laughter, and sometimes heartache to our screens."
If the “Soft Life” trailer is anything to go by, viewers are in for a wild ride.
It shows Owami struggling to make the decision to join the escort agency but, when she does, she appears to embrace the opportunity while remaining intent on keeping it a secret.
“It’s my time,” she says in the voice-over, while placing her finger over her mouth in a gesture of silence.
Watch the trailer here: