
The Queen': Thembsie Matu on why Petronella doesn't stick to the script'Award-winning The Queen' actress has revealed that Petronella needs to do the talking when some episodes are too short!
by Rae Seleme
25-11-2021
in SA TV and Film
The Queen' actress, Thembsie Matu in a scene as Petronella. Image via Twitter @_NombuleloM
Legendary actress, Thembsie Matu, who plays the role of a helper, Petronella, on The Queen has revealed her character doesn't stick to the script.
--
Matu, who keeps audiences glued to their TVs every evening says she's asked by producers to improvise a lot because of her feisty character.
#TheQueenMzansi Mpolaye gape Petronella pic.twitter.com/nIx5ZT658T
JabulaniMacdonald (@Jabu_Macdonald) November 16, 2021
Also read: Petronella and I are similar': The Queen's' Thembsie Matu on her role
PETRONELLA PROLONGS CONVERSATIONS The award-winning actress told Drum Magazine in an interview that she didn't expect her character to blow up as it did when she joined the telenovela.
--
You have no idea what all the support and love I'm getting means to me.
They transport me to a place where I'm just full of gratitude and respect for them and inspire me to do more.
Viewers are entertained by her singing, and the ridiculous advice she gives her best friend, Detective Vuyiswa Maake played by Zandile Msutwana.
Fans are also mesmerised by her smart mouth when she's dealing with her husband, Mjekejeke played by Sipho Manzini.
Matu also revealed that she's sometimes asked to prolong conversation in her scenes and that most of the things Petronella says are not in the script.
--
You know, sometimes when the episode is too short, I am asked to prolong the conversations Petronella has with people.
Most of the things she says aren't in the script. I just imagine what those three people I know would say in that instance.
Bathong! I know we're dealing with Shaka's death in the family mara I miss this crazy woman like crazy! Oh @ThembsieMatu mara! What a talent! What a legend! #TheQueenMzansi #petronella pic.twitter.com/Bf5AvWpTE8
Rami Chuene (@ramichuene) November 5, 2019
SHONA FERGUSON TIPPED HER ABOUT PETRONELLA The mother of two also told the publication that she was tipped by late actor-producer, Shona Ferguson about the role.
She was training dancers for a wedding scene on the telenovela when the Ferguson Films co-creator pulled her aside and told her about this role they had.
Shona Ferguson who was playing the role of Jerry Maake at the time handpicked Matu because he thought the role would be fitting for her.
The actress was given a character bible to understand the kind of character Petronella is and channelled her mind to think like Petronella.
She prepared her role by studying three people she knows and combined their characters to become the famous Petronella.
One of them is a woman who loves being around young people, to the point where she thinks she's one of them.
She's always there, giving advice and sharing her own experiences.
Also read: Brutus doesn't stick to his script': The Queen's' Phumeza
#TheQueenMzansi this character is a bang #Petronella pic.twitter.com/ddfOKNow4B
Monaheng (@Monaheng_) February 23, 2019
Petronella locked the fridge #TheQueenMzansi pic.twitter.com/eIlUFquN8O
Tsuli (@Tsuli007) November 23, 2021
Mjekejeke finally standing up for himself, Petronella is a bully #TheQueenMzansi pic.twitter.com/VNL57r6uni
JabulaniMacdonald (@Jabu_Macdonald) November 18, 2021
CLICK HERE to take part in our survey & stand a chance to WIN R5 000 in CASH!
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
21/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
21/07/2026
Across the TV and streaming ecosystem, industry players face mounting pressure to do more with less. They must simplify operations, protect premium content and ...
21/07/2026
Tuxera, a leading prover of quality-assured file systems and networking technologies, is bringing its latest advances in connectivity performance to the media w...
21/07/2026
COW Jobs: Apple Motion Expert for Custom FCP Rigged Graphics Package
Brie Clayton July 21, 2026
0 Comments
HIRING: Apple Motion Expert for Custom FCP ...
21/07/2026
Cinegy GmbH, the premier provider of software-defined television technology, will use its presence at IBC2026 (stand 7.A01, Amsterdam RAI, 11 14 September) to...
21/07/2026
Calrec will be located in Hall 8, on Stand C47
Beyond bigger
For years, broadcast facilities were built around one assumption: provision for the biggest pro...
21/07/2026
Pebble, the leading automation, content management and integrated channel specialist, will discuss its future-facing developments for the new generation of medi...
21/07/2026
nxtedition returns to IBC2026 with its consolidated production platform, showing how scripting, editing, graphics, AI-assisted tools and automation can work wit...
21/07/2026
C2PA content signing helps broadcasters, public institutions, and publishers give audiences a verifiable record of where their video content came from and how i...
21/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
21/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
21/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
21/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
21/07/2026
New capability centralizes collaboration, feedback, security and status tracking within VIDA, providing a structured, auditable approach to master quality contr...
21/07/2026
Lightcraft Launches Exclusive Spark Story Beta for Filmmakers and Creators at SI...
21/07/2026
Indie Road Movie Where in the Hell Shot with Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Brie Clayton July 20, 2026
0 Comments
Colorist blends vintage film looks to shape...
21/07/2026
Which USS Defiant Pulse Phaser effect is better?
Graham Quince July 20, 2026
0 Comments
Aargh, ever since @DarkRavenProductions posted a comment ask...
21/07/2026
AI has entered the gigascale era.
The world's most advanced AI factories are bringing together hundreds of thousands of GPUs and CPUs to train frontier mod...
21/07/2026
NVIDIA Vera Rubin is here, and it's going gigascale.
Vera Rubin NVL72 produ...
21/07/2026
160 hours of Irish storytelling for 2026
KIN and The Walsh Sisters return
RT has today unveiled its most ambitious drama slate ever, with a record-breakin...
20/07/2026
The former Northwestern broadcast-operations leader is helping train the next generation of live-sports-production talent across the Big Ten
The sports-product...
20/07/2026
By Lucy Spicer
One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festival is having a front-row seat for the bright future of independent filmmaking. Whi...
20/07/2026
Product range now readily available in the UK
Graph Tech Guitar Labs have just announced the launch of a new UK Online Store that makes it quicker and easie...
20/07/2026
Popular headset gains active noise cancellation
The Maxwell headet was Audeze's first foray into the gaming world, and thanks to its Dolby Atmos compati...
20/07/2026
The NFVF, an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, has released t...
20/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/07/2026
Starfish Technologies will use IBC2026 to showcase the flexibility of its transport stream processing software, including the latest versions of TS Splicer (Win...
20/07/2026
Bitfocus, the specialist in media control and monitoring, will show at IBC2026 (Elgato stand 8.D31, Amsterdam RAI, 11 14 September) how its Buttons control la...
20/07/2026
Mediagenix, a global leader in smart content solutions to profitably connect the right content to the right audience, today announced new AI capabilities that e...
20/07/2026
Big Blue Marble's Cloud DRM has been nominated in the DRM/Content Protection category of the 2026 Streaming Media Readers' Choice Awards.
Only four pro...
20/07/2026
Monday 20 July 2026
Sky brings free global roaming to millions of loyal custome...
20/07/2026
Red Seat Ventures Announces Introduction of Premium Creator and Podcast Communit...
20/07/2026
FIFA World Cup Final sets new RT Player record as the most-streamed single event in the platform's history
Over 1 million viewers watched live on RT 2 as ...
20/07/2026
At this year's SIGGRAPH conference, running through Thursday, July 23, in Lo...
20/07/2026
Erin Davis calls it the SuperDuperPOD. That's two things in one name: phar...
19/07/2026
Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, BTS make for a diverse lineup, and the venue ad...
19/07/2026
The stage is set: three-time champion Argentina will defend its World Cup title ...
19/07/2026
Channel strip plug-in gets upgraded
Acustica Audio's vintage-inspired channel strip plug-in has just been treated to an update that expands its tonal ra...
18/07/2026
Topics include pre-match ceremonies, live performances, the tournament's fir...
18/07/2026
When FIFA and HBS set out to produce the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the numbers alone ...
18/07/2026
Captures nine sought-after Fender amps
IK Multimedia's latest TONEX expansion captures a selection of nine rare Brown Panel' Fender amps that were ...
18/07/2026
Latest batch ships alongside firmware update
Since being unveiled at Superbooth 2025, Frap Tools' debut polysynth has been met with widespread praise, a...
18/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
17/07/2026
In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level ha...