Lawrence Maleka Opens Up About His New Role in Critical But Stable

South African actor and television host Lawrence Maleka is set to captivate audiences in a brand-new way as he stars in Mzansi Magic’s upcoming drama series Critical But Stable, premiering on Sunday, 26 July 2026 at 20:00 on Channel 161.

Based on novelist Angela Makholwa’s bestselling book, the 13-episode drama follows the story of struggling businessman Duke, who pulls his close friends into an insurance scam in a desperate attempt to save both his failing business and his ailing wife. What begins as a solution soon spirals into a web of difficult choices and consequences.

At the centre of the story is a jazz-themed stokvel called Khula, a brotherhood formed by childhood friends who support one another through life’s challenges. Among them is Mzi, portrayed by Lawrence Maleka. Mzi is a devoted family man who is struggling to pay his son’s university fees while secretly dealing with personal issues in his marriage.

The ensemble cast includes Fortune Thobejane as Duke, Lawrence Maleka as Mzi, Batsile Ramasodi as Solomzi, Thabo Malema as Thabo, Mmarona Motshegoa as Noma, Motsoaledi Setumo as Lerato, Seipati Mahamu as Moshidi, Mapaseka Koetle as Lovey and Eve Rasimeni as Mantwa.

Speaking about joining the production, Lawrence revealed that several factors attracted him to the role.

“A few things drew me to the project. Firstly, it’s based on Angela Makholwa’s book, which already had a strong following and reputation. Then there was the cast. There was a lot of talent involved and that’s always exciting as an actor because you’re constantly being challenged. And finally, Mzi was different to anything I’d done before, which made the opportunity even more appealing.”

For Lawrence, one of the strongest aspects of Critical But Stable is how relatable the story feels.

“What I liked about the story is that it feels believable. It’s not about superheroes or larger-than-life characters. These are ordinary people who make one decision and then have to live with the consequences. I think that’s what will keep audiences invested because you can understand how these characters got themselves into these situations, even when you don’t agree with their choices.”

He added that he was immediately intrigued after reading the script.

“I was interested because it was different. Whenever a role takes me somewhere I haven’t been before as an actor, I pay attention. Mzi has a lot going on beneath the surface and I enjoyed unpacking those layers. The more I read, the more curious I became about him.”

The actor believes many viewers will connect with Mzi’s struggles and desire to provide for his loved ones.

“I think many people can relate to wanting to do better for the people they love. The pressure might look different for different people, but that responsibility is something most of us understand. What I found interesting about Mzi is that his intentions are often good, but the decisions he makes don’t always lead him where he wants to go.”

To prepare for the role, Lawrence focused on understanding the emotional reality behind the character.

“Preparation is important to me. Every character requires a different approach, but I always try to understand who the person is beyond what’s on the page. For this role I spent time speaking to people, listening to different perspectives and trying to understand the emotional reality of what Mzi is dealing with.”

He also credited Angela Makholwa for helping him gain a deeper understanding of the character.

“Yes. Angela was very generous with her time and insight. Having access to the person who created these characters is always valuable because you get a deeper understanding of their motivations and the world they come from.”

Looking back on filming, Lawrence says the people involved made the experience unforgettable.

“Honestly, the people. We had a great cast and crew, and those are the projects you remember. Set is one of my favourite places to be, so being surrounded by talented people who care about the work made the experience enjoyable from start to finish.”

Audiences can watch Critical But Stable from Sunday, 26 July 2026 at 20:00 on Mzansi Magic channel 161.

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