Player 23 star lands soapie role

Cape Town - Merlin Balie, better known as Elton from Vodacom's Player 23 campaign, will soon be seen in popular soapie Rhythm City on e.tv.

According to Balie, born in Paarl, his character 'Boom' will be seen on TV from September.

"I play a jerk who coincidentally lands in jail. I play opposite actor Jamie Bartlett, better known as David Genaro in the soapie. He lands in jail after me and we end up sharing a cell.

"It was a privilege to play opposite Bartlett and I  learned so much from him."

Marriage

Balie currently stars in the television series Colour TV that has been airing since July 8 every Friday on SABC 2 at 19:30.

His friend, Quanita Adams, is one of the actresses and writers of the series.

"She told me about the auditions and I was initially one of the news readers, but was later incorporated as one of the reporters in the field.

"The series is close to our hearts, because we all are coloured people."

The series' first season ends in September, but Balie is optimistic and says there is definitely a possibility that it will be seen on TV again next year.

Meanwhile, he is also busy with a radio drama, Ratels, that airs every Monday night at 19:40 on Radio Sonder Grense (RSG).
 
And any wedding plans?

"I've been in a relationship for the past nine months with a woman whom I love dearly. We are not engaged yet, but we do have plans for next year," Balie said jokingly.

Balie has been living in Johannesburg since 2009.