South African actress Luyanda Zwane is stepping into an exciting new chapter in her career after landing the role of Lindani in the new Netflix series The Polygamist. The highly anticipated show is set to premiere on Friday, 12 June 2026, and fans are eager to see Zwane bring the complex character to life.
Speaking to TV Mzansi, Zwane shared what drew her to the role and why portraying Lindani became such a rewarding experience.
According to the actress, Lindani is a character filled with contradictions. While she can appear mature and confident at times, she is also young and easily influenced. Zwane revealed that what excited her most about the role was exploring Lindani’s understanding of success and the decisions she makes in pursuit of it.
“Oh, Lindani. The pursuit of success in her world, or what she believes success is. I think that’s what was exciting for me about playing her. It was all the choices I had to make and all the corners of my imagination that I had to explore,” she said.
The actress added that the role pushed her beyond her comfort zone and challenged her as a performer, especially when it came to filming intimate scenes.
“And, of course, stretching my acting prowess, particularly when it came to intimate scenes. That was challenging for me, but also quite exciting because I realised I could push myself to go there. That was really exciting.”
Another highlight for Zwane was sharing the screen with acclaimed actor Sdumo Mtshali, whom she admired long before working alongside him.
“It was also exciting to work alongside Sdumo Mtshali. I grew up watching him on Isibaya as Sbu and Thandeka. Then suddenly, you’re standing in front of someone you’ve watched on TV for years, someone you’d DM and say, ‘Wow, that was a great scene.’ And now he’s right there in front of you, sharing scenes and a storyline with you.”
She explained that working with seasoned performers such as Gugu Gumede and Sthandiwe Kgoroge also taught her valuable lessons about professionalism and longevity in the entertainment industry.
“If you look at Sdumo Mtshali and Mam Sthandiwe Kgoroge, I’ve learned that even if you’ve been in the industry for 20 or 30 years, you still have to take it seriously. You still have to show up. You have to arrive on set prepared, know your lines, know the story, and respect the craft.”
She continued by encouraging young actors to adopt the same mindset if they hope to build lasting careers.
“I think we, as the youth, should take that and run with it so that we can also build longevity and sustainability in this industry.”
Beyond the lessons she learned from her co-stars, Zwane also shared how she prepares for emotionally demanding scenes. The actress revealed that breathing exercises and spending time alone help her remain focused and grounded while filming.
“I do a lot of breathing work and I isolate myself. A lot of the cast members will tell you that I always have AirPods on and always isolated on days where I have emotionally demanding scenes.”
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