While actor Zolisa Xaluva's exit from Smoke & Mirrors is confirmed. Seasoned actor Hlomla Dandala, who is widely known for for playing Zweli Dikana on The River, has been roped in as his replacement to take over his character, Caesar Ngonyama starting from season two in April.
TRUELOVE recently reported that the actor's exit from the show has been confirmed, we are exclusively told that Hlomla will grace the small screen next April, after Zolisa stops appearing.
READ MORE | Confirmed: Zolisa Xaluva exits Smoke & Mirrors
"There were other options that were considered in terms of Zolisa's replacement and Hlomla was eventually minted to take over from the actor, who leaves the show next month," a source reveals.
The source also shares that actor Dumisani Mbebe was also in the running but couldn't commit because "he's busy with other projects".
"There were discussions with him, that I can confirm, but the idea was abandoned because of his busy schedule. It's sad that he couldn't be part of the show because he would have added so much flair," the source tells us.
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The Caesar Ngonyama couldn't be killed off because there's a lot riding on him and his character Bible is loaded with story, so killing the character was not on the cards.
"Caesar's storyline is loaded and there was no way that it could ne scrapped because then a lot of characters would be affected," adds the source.
"It is hoped that Hlomla will receive the same affection that Zolisa gets for playing this complex character."
Hlomla couldn't be reached for comment and etv did not respond to queries sent.
