Maria Doyle Kennedy, the talented actress known for her portrayal of Tannie Maria, is back for season two of Recipes for Love and Murder.
The new season, which premiered on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) on Tuesday, January 23rd, promises even more intrigue, drama, and mystery in the small town of Eden.
This time, a massive fire triggers a sequence of events that pulls Tannie Maria, Jessie, and Khaya into a gripping murder investigation that uncovers some of the town’s darkest secrets.
The series is set to continue exploring the dynamics between beloved characters and introduce some exciting new faces.
Fans can expect to see Maria Doyle Kennedy, Tony Kgoroge, and Kylie Fisher reprising their roles, along with new characters played by Wynand Ferreira, Gerard Rudolph, and Hlubi Mboya.
The Allure of Tannie Maria and Her Uniqueness
In an exclusive interview with The South African, Maria shared her thoughts on what drew her to the character of Tannie Maria.
After working on Outlander, she was looking for something different and stumbled upon the scripts for Recipes for Love and Murder.
“I had been reading a lot of dark material, mostly about serial killers, and then I came across Recipes for Love and Murder,” she said.
“It was like a jewel in the trash! Yes, there’s a murder, but it’s filled with joy, tenderness, and community.
Tannie Maria is a warm but emotionally complex character, and I instantly connected with her.”
The Challenge of Portraying an Eccentric Character
When asked about the challenges of playing Tannie Maria, Maria explained that it was important for her to find a balance between the character’s eccentric nature and her emotional depth.
“The challenge was portraying her eccentricity and emotional distance without making her unrelatable,” she said.
“Tannie Maria can be warm and helpful, but there’s always an underlying control in her actions.
She’s afraid of being vulnerable and has trouble trusting others.
By the end of season one, she starts to learn how to trust, and that journey continues in season two.”
What to Expect in Season Two
Season two is all about deeper relationships and evolving dynamics.
Maria teased that viewers will get to see the bonds between Tannie Maria, Khaya, Hattie, and Jessie grow even stronger.
“The development of relationships in season two is really special,” she shared.
“We’ve already seen the beginnings of these connections, and now we get to see how they evolve.
The town of Eden is also more fully explored, and all the quirky characters get a chance to shine.”
Fans will also meet new characters in the mysteries that unfold.
Maria promised that there are plenty of surprises ahead, but she didn’t want to spoil too much!
Exploring South Africa During Filming
Filming for Recipes for Love and Murder took Maria to beautiful locations in Cape Town and Prince Albert.
Although she didn’t have enough time to explore as much as she would have liked, she was still able to enjoy the local culture.
“We were filming after the pandemic, so we were able to experience the art and cultural institutions that had reopened,” she said.
“Next time I’m in South Africa, I’m definitely going to make time to visit more places, starting with Durban.”
A Taste of South Africa in the Kitchen
As a show centered around food, it’s no surprise that Maria was asked about her favorite recipes from season two.
She couldn’t choose just one! “It’s a toss-up between the Kudu Wellington and the Hertzoggies.
Both were completely new to me and incredibly delicious,” she revealed.
Picking Up South African Slang
During her time in South Africa, Maria also picked up some local slang.
She laughed as she listed her favorites: “Now now, Howzit, Hectic, Lekker, Yoh, Shame, and my personal favorite, ‘pleasure’!” It’s clear that she enjoyed her time in the country both on and off set.
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