Who stars in Queen Sono on Netflix?
Queen Sono - Pearl Thusi
The eponymous Queen Sono is described in a Netflix synopsis as “the highly trained top spy in a South African agency whose purpose is to better the lives of African citizens.” She is played by Pearl Thusi, a former beauty queen turned actor, who has previously appeared in The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Quantico and South African soap opera Isidingo.
Speaking to Essence, she said what drew her to the series was the chance to change misconceptions about Africa. She said, “People like to fantasize [about] African poverty. They think of African tragedy, and it’s romanticized unbelievably.
“But because we have control over the narrative, we can show this is not the only thing that’s happening in Africa. This is what’s happening in the middle class; this is what’s happening in our hoods, in our streets, in our townships. This is who we are. We don’t all look the same. As South Africans, we get to put it out there with this series. And the rest of the world gets to see it.”
Shandu Johnson Magwaza - Vuyo Dabula
Queen’s former boyfriend and colleague is Shandu, who has since gone rogue and formed a dangerous rebel group known as Watu Wema. Portraying the character is Vuyo Dabula, formerly seen in films like Invictus, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Speaking to IOL, Dabula said of his character: “This guy is a bit complex. He has that pure desire and it comes from a very painful past as well; just seeing the way his people have been left behind and nobody really cares, it comes from that. He wants to save. He wants to fight. He has those leadership talents.”
Dr. Sidwell Isaacs - Sechaba Morojele
The chief director of the Special Operations Group (SOG), the spy agency Queen works for, is Dr. Sidwell Isaacs. Playing him is Sechaba Morojele, who made his U.S. debut in Ice Cube movie Dangerous Ground and who most recently starred in South African movie Table Manners.
Miri Dube - Chi Mhende
The SOG Director-General is Miri Dube, played by Chi Mhende, an actor who appeared in an episode of Homeland and the movie Love the One You Love. In an Mbare Times interview, the Zimbabwe-born actor said she found her character through hair, make-up and costume. She said: “Hairspray was my best friend on set because Miri is very particular about her appearance. It was all like armour; everything kept me restricted and helped me remember what to show of Miri and how to stay physically present in the character.”
Ekaterina Gromova - Kate Liquorish
Russian heiress and mobster Ekaterina Gromova owns a private military company, and works with Shandu on his nefarious scheme. The character is brought to life by Kate Liquorish, star of Eye in the Sky and the Netflix film Catching Feelings (which was led by Pearl Thusi).
She told Pulse of her role, “She’s driven to the point that she’ll do anything to get what she wants, and I think that’s unusual for a female character because her drive is brutal, and it gets more and more brutal, and it becomes quite shocking and takes your breath away in a few scenes.”
The supporting cast for Queen Sono includes:
William Chakela, the childhood friend and therapist of Queen - Khathi RamabulanaNova, William’s partner and World Bank consultant - Enhle MaphumuloMazet, Queen’s grandmother - Abigail KubekaNana, Miri’s mother - Connie ChiumeFrederique Kazadi, SOG field technician - Loyiso MadingaViljoen, a paralyzed analyst - Rob Van VuurenBula Bule, one of Shandu’s rebels - Otto NobelaPresident Malunga, a corrupt politician - James Ngcobo
Queen Sono is streaming now on Netflix.
