The Girl From St. Agnes: Why you should watch Showmax's new original drama

Lexi Summerveld's body is found at the base of an old mill. Her death is declared as a tragic accident, but drama teacher Kata Ballard is not convinced. She sets out to find the answer and get to the bottom of what really happened that fateful night.

The gripping eight-part murder mystery is Showmax's first South African drama and will push boundaries. Karl Thaning, who portrays Dylan McMahon, said the style of writing on [The Girl From St. Agnes] is very different, and added:

What's great about this show is it certainly pulls no punches, particularly for my character. We need a change in South Africa, and I think everyone is hoping this sparks a television movement.

The first episode introduces us to Lexi Summerveld, portrayed by newcomer Jane De Wet, as well as drama assistant Kate Ballard (Nina Milner), and principal Chris Whittaker (Graham Hopkins), amongst others. The sense of urgency is felt from the start, and the show exudes a very South African feel, which was refreshing.

It's clear that The Girl From St. Agnes was created and produced by a stellar production team and cast. The writing is superb, and the story keeps you at the edge of your seat. The emotional performances will have a profound impact on viewers too.

The show incorporates social media and students' relationship with technology. Thesouthafrican.com had the privilege of speaking to Double SAFTA winner Gillian Breslin, who is head writer on the show. She explains:

Because it's so real and intrinsically a part of their lives, [ ] it made its way into the story. The more it made its way into the story, the more we realised how much it impacted on teen life.

That's not the only aspect that comes across strongly in the show. It also shows how technology can be used to undermine and to berate. She added that technology formed a big part of the story universe, of the real universe as well.

The Girl From St. Agnes also delves into heavier issues, such as bullying, rape culture and mental illness. Breslin said the characters are almost all broken. It's easy for adults to make light of teenagers' struggles, but she adds:

One of the things we really focused on in the writing room was to make sure that we got inside those kids' heads and that the challenges they face were real. And they were treated as real and with compassion and the kind of gravity that they would have in their lives.

Breslin describes the cast as magic and lightning in a bottle. She feels that everything that was in her head, is on that screen and then more, thanks to the extraordinary cast.

To recap, the show is unlike anything you have seen on South African television. It's a murder mystery in a unique setting and sheds light on several issues plaguing the youth today.

The Girl From St. Agnes will premier on Showmax 31 January 2019. All eight episodes will be released at once, making it a truly binge-able experience.

Watch: The Girl From St. Agnes' trailer Tags: ShowmaxSouth Africa

LINK:	https://www.thesouthafrican.com/girl-from-st-agnes-why-you-should-watc...
	See more stories from thesouthafrican

Most recent headlines