Big Bad Of Empini Season 2 Sets The Scene For Whats To Come

Mpumi Mpama has made a name for himself playing a number of unscrupulous characters in Legacy , Queendom and The Queen . He returns as the cunning and ruthless private security mogul Khaya Bhodoza in Empini .

Ahead of the upcoming second season, Mpama chats about stepping into the role previously portrayed by Siyabonga Twala and how he will bring him to life.

How did you approach stepping into a role that had already been established by someone else?

For me, it wasnt a big challenge. I decided not to watch the previous episodes because, as an artist, I believe in interpreting a character in my own way. If I had watched the earlier episodes of the previous Khaya, my mind might have subconsciously picked up on his mannerisms. That could have influenced my portrayal.

To avoid that, I personalised the character and brought my own understanding to it. Its funny because someone once asked me, How does it feel to step into Siyas shoes? And I said, No, he took his shoes with him. You see, I didnt want to continue where he left off. I respect his legacy, but now Im creating my own. So it was a good challenge, and I came into the role with my own plan.