Ominous clouds blanket Table Mountain as a gale-force south-easterly blows . Unbothered by storm clouds rolling in, the cast of Devil’s Peak is at the luxury Nasdak Tower rooftop venue for the launch of the five-episode crime thriller based on Deon Meyer’s 2004 novel.
It is the first time Meyer’s protagonist, Detective Benny Griessel, will come alive on television, but viewers will also get a glimpse of Cape Town’s iconic landscape, peeling back layers of mystery and intrigue.
Devil’s Peak is a gripping series that delves into the underbelly of Cape Town. Against the backdrop of a city struggling with violence and corruption, Griessel, a flawed yet determined investigator battling alcoholism, is tasked with solving a chilling case. He uncovers a complex network of organised crime, political intrigue and personal vendettas that threatens to consume him. Racing against time and his own demons, Griessel must navigate a labyrinth of false leads and hidden motives while confronting the ghosts of his past.
Hilton Pelser, who plays Griessel, reflects on the transformative journey of becoming the enigmatic detective.
“It took a lot out of me physically and mentally, but that was the really fun challenge. I don’t think Hilton existed — not that I was Benny Griessel, but my life didn’t exist while I was shooting. Even when I was out with friends and family, Benny was always at the forefront of what I was thinking and doing. It was full immersion,” he says.
He adds that the task of becoming his character wasn’t too difficult as he spent so much time filming — six days a week for three months.
Pelser breathes fresh life into Griessel, painting him as a more hopeful version than the world-weary character in Meyer's original narrative.
“We have a responsibility to tell that story because Benny Griessel in Deon Meyer’s books is renowned, but when the audience sees the difference between the times we’re playing in, they’ll connect with the characters. They'll see Deon’s writing come to life in a way that will still satisfy,” Pelser says.
Director Jozua Malherbe says South Africa’s state of chaos and the complex interplay of joy and turmoil in the social fabric was top of mind during filming. His vision for the series transcends entertainment, delving into the intricacies of daily life, shedding light on the resilience of individuals navigating a tumultuous reality.
“I like realism, the idea of living our lives, that’s fascinating. We wake up every day and we live. That’s what interests me. It’s not aspirational, but aspiration is individual. Aspiration can be working or getting food for the day. That’s where our country is and that’s what I want to show and celebrate,” says Malherbe.
With a commitment to authenticity, Malherbe’s approach embodies a genuine reflection of Cape Town's diverse identity, infusing the series with a depth that resonates with audiences on a profound level.
This depth also resonated with the cast. Shamilla Miller, who plays Anna Griessel, Tarryn Wyngaard, who portrays Christine van Rooyen, and Sisanda Henna, who plays Thobela Mpayipheli, all spoke of their awareness that while they were telling a fictional story, for many viewers the anguish their characters face is real.
Themes including mental health, abuse, addiction and grief are central to Devil’s Peak. But, in true South African style, there are comedic moments throughout.
It’s a compelling series that explores the multifaceted identity of Cape Town. With its roots grounded in Meyer's literary masterpiece, the series promises an immersive journey through the heart of the city's gripping narrative, beckoning viewers to uncover the mysteries that lie within its embrace.
Sisanda Henna plays a retired secret service operative. He acknowledges the weight of responsibility that comes with portraying real-life struggles such as grief. “The people are real, these stories are real, and we want to represent that. As an actor, you say yes to being a vessel for that person. I was scared because I'd seen the material and knew what the work needed to do. I asked myself, can I do it? The advice was to give in to the work and that’s how you become a vessel,” says Henna.
Like Henna, Miller and Wyngaard say they want viewers to feel seen. Their characters grapple with a reality that many women find themselves in. Wyngaard is still reeling from the experience, even though filming ended in November last year.
“What stands out for me is how raw the experience was and how I still feel it viscerally. We did something special; you see it in the first episode. There’s something uncensored about this series that will sit with people. We're telling the story from a guttural place and there’s more at stake for us when we are representing people,” she says.
Filming took place in Camps Bay, Constantia and townships on the Cape Flats such as Philippi and Langa, a deliberate attempt by Malherbe to illustrate the city’s dichotomy while also providing local audiences with a product they could recognise.
Waldimar Pelser, M-Net director for premium channels, says this city of extremes makes “great fodder” for television. Though the questions raised about injustice and grief are deeply South African, they also have a global appeal, he says.
“This is a story that could only have played out in South Africa, where the dark underworld of crime pierces — on an almost daily basis — the bubble in which those who can seek security and comfort. Devil’s Peak shows the extraordinarily beautiful city of Cape Town with and without its mask. It’s the tale of iconic Detective Griessel’s struggle against external and internal demons to find justice for others and redemption for himself. It’s also the story of a father willing to do anything to avenge the death of his young son. Not all deaths, the story suggests, are mourned equally,” says Pelser.
*Devil’s Peak is produced by Lookout Point and Expanded Media Productions in association with MultiChoice Studios and BBC Studios Distribution. BBC Studios, which owns Lookout Point, will also distribute the series internationally. The series premieres on M-Net channel 101 at 8pm today.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.