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- Popular M-Net thriller drama Lioness is returning for a second season in 2023.
- Lead actor Shannon Esra reprises her role, while Vinette Ebrahim, Carl Beukes, Theo Landey and Ayden Croy are new additions to the show.
- Lioness returns on 16 January.
Shannon Esra returns to TV screens as Samantha Hugo when M-Net's (DStv 101) edgy thriller drama, Lioness, returns for its second season next year.
Lioness returns for season 2 on 16 January. It follows the story of a woman fresh out of jail for fraud and returning to a life even more fractured than when she left.
"After the cliffhanger finale of season 1, season 2 picks up with Adrian Hugo's (played by Jacques Bessenger) second wife (played by Carla Classen) in desperate search for her missing husband," a press statement reads. "The fiercely protective mother (as the titular "lioness") that she is, Samantha must shield her son Liam (played by Joshua Eady), no matter the cost."
In the press statement, Esra describes her character as "a force of nature", adding that what she endures in the upcoming season is "such a challenge".
"I love pushing myself as an actor, and in this performance, I was given the beautiful opportunity to do just that," she says.
"Sam paints outside of the lines, often diverging from what may be acceptable under the rule of law, which is always a scary thing to encompass authentically and with a sense of truth. But in doing so, I honour the character's journey, and hopefully, the audience will be right behind her."
In the statement, M-Net channels director Jan du Plessis says the drama performed well in its first season with audiences and critics.
"The series also made waves on an international level which is in line with M-Net's strategy to produce content that resonates both at home and abroad," he says. "We're excited to have it return for a second season and look forward to more twists and turns for the audience."
Returning characters this season are Megan (Natasha Sutherland), Amo (Nokuthula Mavuso), Charlotte (Fiona Ramsay), Caitlyn (Avianah Abrahams), Jason (Frank Rautenbach), Bonolo (Pulane Rampona), Miranda (Jazzara Jaslyn), Brian (Evan Hengst), Sifiso (Terrence Ngwila), Lesedi (Ditebogo Ledwaba, Yvette (Ilana Cilliers) and Anton (Gerald Steyn).
Vinette Ebrahim joins the cast as Vera, an introverted and aloof ice queen whose fractured family needs warmth, along with Carl Beukes as Max, an enigmatic lone wolf who will do whatever it takes to get the job done to help his half-sister find justice, Theo Landey as Thomas, w sensitive and intelligent teacher whose kindness lands him in hot water and Ayden Croy as Kevin, a warm-hearted young man trying to build a new life after a tragic past.
