A Mitchells Plain chauffeur accidentally landed a role on a popular new TV series and says it’s the best thing that’s happened to him since he started working in the industry 20 years ago.
Marco Julie, 49, from Portlands, made his debut on Melody on SABC when the local series launched in March.
The father of two, who plays the role of bad guy Tubby, says it all happened by coincidence.
“I was doing my usual driving duties and while I was watching the actors do their thing, the person who was supposed to play Tubby didn’t pitch, and the producer asked me to stand in.
“I had no experience and never acted in anything before, but there I was, an instant actor,” he laughs.
Tubby is the bodyguard of the main villain, drug mert Jack, played by Moeniel Jacobs.
Marco says the actors were all sweet and supportive and quickly jumped in to help him learn his lines, even feeding him his lines while scenes were being shot.
He says his job as a driver comes with perks, like meeting famous mense.
“I used to be a VIP driver for various companies like Parliament, Knoble Tours and also the hotel industry like Pepper Club hotel, where I chauffeured clients like soccer player Glen Johnson of England and Liverpool and George Benson, the legend of love songs. I also met Victoria Beckham,” he says.
Marco was also a driver for TV shows like Pop Idols, Sarah se Geheim and most recently, Melody, where he met director Theo E Davids.
“It was a big surprise for me, but I took the opportunity to be part of this amazing series, it was exciting working with people like Abduraghman Adams and Moeniel Jacobs who guided me,” he says.
“I have now been given an opportunity to do a part for an international film and a few other possible TV series.
“I thank God for giving me this opportunity because if you put your trust and faith in him nothing is impossible.”
Melody airs on SABC2 every Tuesday at 7pm.