DURBAN-BORN actress Rizelle Januk is making waves on the global television and film scene.
The actress has scooped an array of leading and guest roles on TV shows that will soon air on channels like the BBC, HBO Max and BET Africa.
She also stars in projects that are currently touring the global film festival circuit.
Januk, 30, shared more about herself in a Q & A with The Post.
Q: Born and raised?
A: I was born in Durban and raised in Reservoir Hills. I went to Dr AD Lazarus Secondary School and graduated with my Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard College, majoring in drama and performance studies and media and cultural studies.
Q: Where do you currently reside?
A: Cape Town.
Q: Who or what inspired your passion for the arts and acting in particular?
A: I'm fond of the memories I've had touring inter-provincially with my mom and her stage plays. I think that had an impact on my growth. I don't think there is one specific person or instance that occurred in my life that led me down the acting path. I think everything in its entirety played a role in where I am today. I love acting to my core. I also think it chose me.
Q: When would you say was the moment when you knew that you wanted to be an actress?
A: I still struggle with whether or not I should be doing this and every time I'm about to step away from it, it cheekily creeps back into my life. There isn't a specific moment. I think life happened and it was in favour of acting as a profession. It's the thing that I'm best at. It's the thing that keeps the fire in my belly burning but it's also a challenging thing and if not dealt with correctly, it can result to it being rooted in ego rather than in service to others. The latter is the goal.
Q: What is your ultimate goal for your career?
A: From jumping off aeroplanes with Tom Cruise, a villain alongside Gary Oldman, to playing Christoph Waltz' daughter without questions of ’biology’ arising (because representation matters deeply to me). I want to work with the best and if that results in me accumulating awards for my performances then that's just a bonus really. Eventually, with all the recognition I would acquire in my career I'd love to use it, to open a home for all the doggos (dogs) that don't have homes, mommies or daddies to love them.
Q: The Covid-19 pandemic has severely impacted the arts and entertainment industry. How did you, as an artist, overcome the challenges of the pandemic on your career?
A: I've been so blessed to say 2020 and 2021 have been my busiest years as an actress since 2016 when I started working in Cape Town. I play a guest lead role in a BBC series called Around the world in 80 Days, starring David Tennant. It premiered at Cannes Series in October. The music was done by the amazing Hans Zimmer.
I play an FBI agent in a Warner Brothers, HBO Max feature film called Eraser Reborn. I play the lead in a United Nations World Health Organization campaign for Patient Safety Day.
I was the lead actress in three short films: Time and Tide by Lamar Bonhomme (receiving four Simon Sabela nominations - Best Director, Best Actor in Film, Best Actress in Film and Best Short Film for 2021), Before 8am, a BET Africa short film by Valencia Joshua, and Storyteller by Miss K productions.
Q: What film or TV projects do you currently have on the go that you can tell us about?
A: Most of those projects (mentioned above) are soon to air. Around The World in 80 Days will premiere on BBC soon. The dates have not been confirmed yet. Before 8am will air on BET Africa on November 12 and Time and Tide is doing its festival run at Lonestar (Texas, North America) and the London Rocks (London Central) Film Festival in November. Storyteller will be released soon and Eraser Reborn will release in 2022.