The Wife Season 2 looks to finally bring matriarchy, its politics, influence, power and role into focus in the Zulu household – particularly when there’s only room for one throne at the table and one portrait on the wall.
With a cliff-hanger Season 1 ending, a week-long break and fan theories on how Zandile will be reintegrated into the Zulu family, The Wife Season 2 already had us all talking and speculating.
Much as the show is inspired by Dudu Busani-Dube’s popular book series, the storyline has taken several unexpected twists – making it a must-watch every week despite protests from the book’s readers and literary purists.
TRUELOVE was invited to a screening for a select group over the weekend in Sandton, and to say that the show has skyrocketed all the characters into an elevated super stardom orbit is an understatement.
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From the stars to the supporting cast, each actor brings to life their character authentically, and when we meet them, we realise why certain casting decisions were made. It makes sense for where the story is headed.
The first hint of new power dynamics? The title sequence has different imagery and Khanyi Mbau (who plays Zandile) is immediately firmly entrenched as the centre of Season 2. There is an element of something sinister in this title sequence but you will have to watch to see what it is.
A second hint to these power dynamics and storyline, which Mondli Makhoba to during the screening, is how Season 2 will introduce us to a new side of his character, Nkosana. This side is already brought into focus in the first two episodes we got to watch.
He is gentle, less hardened and vulnerable, but also, extremely resolute in his protection and adoration of Zandile. She juxtaposes his softness with her anxiety and current inability to have long-term plans – because in the show, she is a fugitive – and then balances it with her own vulnerability and uncertainty as to what the future will hold.
The physicality that Mondli exudes in his scenes with Khanyi makes the pair an intoxicating on-screen couple with sublime sensuality and playful energy that bounces between them.
They are both strong, resolute, and them being together, along with the possibility that this will be for a lifetime now, I expect, is what we’ll see as one of the drivers for Zandile to assume her rightful place in the Zulu family.
As Khanyi Mbau describes Zandile and Nkosana’s chemistry: “I'm happy that Season 2 comes out in February, which is the month of love, because they have such a beautiful love story. They serve couple goals from the get-go, even in prison.
“For the viewers, one thing they'll truly enjoy is their language. Nkosana is very poetic in how he uses his words and how he relays love to her. Nkosana makes the Zulu language so romantic; he makes it sound like French.”
The last hint? Zandile’s choice for a new name.
Even though the new season picks up from Hlomu and Qhawe’s feather-laden tryst, it seems we’ll be seeing a deeper, longer love story from the main characters in Season 2 – moving us away from Hlomu and Mqhele’s troubles as a couple.
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However, and in true Stained Glass TV style, we can expect plot twists, action, bloody rivalries, new villains, confrontations and deadly games. We’re also keen to see what role Lerato Mvelase’s character is going to play in helping keep Zandile out of jail and out of sight from the law.
Also, look out for the stark, bitter contrast between Season 1’s last shocker of a sex scene and the intimacy of Season 2’s first intimate scene. It proves that when done well, despite our general conservative nature as an audience, there can be room for on-screen physical passion, provided it progresses the story and develops the characters and their respective narrative – minimising the need for constant salaciousness.
The Wife Season 2 returns with its first three episodes on 17 February 2022 on Showmax. The 40-episode first season is also available to binge.
