Breekpunt’s Lorcia Cooper Kumalo on authenticity, acting and rocking Rozlynne’s heels

As Tyson in Lockdown, she won a SAFTA. As Detective Morapedi in the hit Showmax Original Red Ink, she bagged a National Film and Television Award.

Now Lorcia Cooper Kumalo takes on the world of tennis in the new Showmax Original drama series Breekpunt. She plays Rozlynne Joshua, the mother of aspiring tennis champion Ashleigh (Spinners star Chelsea Thomas).

Ashleigh is a gutsy teen determined to have her shot on the international tennis stage. But the challenges she must overcome are not only on the court, and what she gains is so much more than a trophy.

Breekpunt is produced by multi-award winners Ochre Moving Pictures (triple SAFTA winner Justice Served; Lioness; Spoorloos 4: Die Eiland), with Nicola Hanekom directing. A SAFTA-nominated and Fleur du Cap-winning actress, Hanekom has written on series like Dwaalster and directed on SAFTA-nominated films and series like Cut-Out Girls and Dwaalster. Headed by Ilse van Hemert (Lioness), the writing team includes SAFTA winner Quanita Adams (Hier.Na, Arendsvlei).

Watch the trailer:

Speaking about her role, Lorcia said:

"What initially drew me to Rozlynne was her complexity. I had quite a few questions when I read the script, and I had to ask myself if she was acting like a hypocrite or just being human. I like taking on a challenge. It allows me to interrogate myself; it allows me to interrogate the human condition. I was drawn to how she tries to navigate a million different spaces while trying to hang on to her own integrity - and her husband’s, daughter’s and son’s integrity as well. Women always have to be the ones who are well put together in everything they do. They must be a good wife, a good mother, a good friend, a good worker. I think the pressure of trying to keep up this facade of perfection often becomes a hindrance to living a true life.

"The work I do and the life I live are very separate. I don't call on personal experiences to fuel a character; I rely on the script. We have all had challenges - maybe difficult childhoods or traumatic things that have happened to us. We go to therapy for those things. I'm not in the business of rehashing things or using my life to fuel my art. I think the gift that God has given me, and the compassion I have for all people, is enough for me to build any kind of character."