Although popular Showmax telenovela The Wife is bleeding talent, as two of their lead actors have been confirmed to have left – other seasoned actors are joining the popular show.

Award-winning actor Wiseman Mncube has joined the stellar cast of the Showmax original telenovela.

The talented actor who made his mark when he joined popular TV show Uzalo as Sibonelo will replace actor Bonko Khoza as Mqhele – whose exit left everyone sad last week.

Speaking to Nounouche, Wiseman who is also set to star on the upcoming movie “Shaka Ilembe” said he was over the moon when he was approached for the role.

“Which actor wouldn’t want to be part of The Wife,” he asked with a lot of excitement.

Although it’s never easy to take over the reigns from someone else, Wiseman shared that he has been enjoying bringing Mqhele to life and he is in his element.

“It is a very interesting role to portray and I’m in my element. There’s a lot to chew on and play off, from the love story to the anger to the care,” he said.

The seasoned actor also shared that he’s not here to replace anyone but to carve his own path.

“Bonko carried the role with so much respect and power. I’m not here to replace Bonko but to start my own journey as Mqhele and take things from where he left off and run with it in my own way.”

Commenting on the appointment of Wiseman, series producer Kamogelo Aphane said Wiseman is a versatile performer with multiple accolades; and that Mqhele and his madness are in safe hands.

“Wiseman’s work ethic and command of Zulu will take Mqhele to new heights this season,” they said.

Produced by Stained Glass productions The Wife series is a Showmax Original telenovela that follows the lives of the eight Zulu brothers, a formidable crime family, through the eyes of the women they marry.

Season 1 is inspired by the novel Hlomu The Wife, a bestseller by Dudu Busani-Dube. Rising star Mbalenhle Mavimbela (Skeem Saam’s Isipho) played Hlomu, the journalist who falls in love with a taxi driver, not realising that when you marry a man, you marry his secrets. Her love interest, Mqhele, is played by Bonko Khoza, who burst onto the acting scene as Jabz in the multi-award-winning film Necktie Youth and has since appeared in the likes of Professionals and the Emmy-nominated Roots.

Season 2 is inspired by the follow-up novel, Zandile The Resolute. The role of Zandile, the fierce matriarch of the Zulu family, is played by Khanyi Mbau (Happiness is a Four-Letter Word) and Mondli Makhoba (Umkhokha) reprises his role as Nkosana, the eldest Zulu brother in The Wife.