Stevel Marc scores lead role in International Series: The Professionals.

International model, Actor and published Author, Stevel Marc has been cast as a lead in the international series – The Professionals.

The show is maximally diverse and is represented by an impressive contingent of South African stars. Stevel Marc leads this charge of African presence with 9 out of ten episodes in the bag thus far. He holds his own amongst Hollywood A-List talents Brendan Fraser (The Mummy), Tom Welling (Smallville), Elena Anaya (Wonder Woman) and Saïd Taghmaoui (American Hustle), impressing both the international broadcasters, sales agents and producers alike.

I managed to have a quick telephonic chat with Stevel Marc, to fill us in about his new exciting role.

Kiki Nembhard: Tell us about your character.

Stevel Marc: I play Tyler “Trig” Raines, he is an Intelligence Officer.

Kiki Nembhard: What do you love about Trig?

Stevel Marc: He’s a family man. Neat, intelligent and meticulous. Deadly with a weapon in hand.

Kiki Nembhard: Are there any similarities between Stevel and Trig?

Stevel Marc: To some degree, I’d say yes. Though I’m unmarried, I am big on family. I am a neat, intelligent and a meticulous person. At this point though, the only deadly weapon in my hand would be this God-given talent. (Laughs)

Kiki Nembhard: You are still busy shooting the series. How far are you?

Stevel Marc: We’ve recently finished filming in Ireland. We’re currently filming in and around Johannesburg, South Africa – finishing roundabout the 15th of August. I have scenes with all our major international leads. The episodes are written as we go along.

Kiki Nembhard: What does being the only black season regular in this particular series mean to you?

Stevel Marc: Hopefully an inspiration for any kid watching going: “I can do that”.

Kiki Nembhard: You’re working alongside some top international actors. Who do you connect with the most so far?

Stevel Marc: The majority of my scenes are with Tom Welling and Brendan Fraser who are really nice guys and consummate professionals, but Ken Duken (Inglorious Basterds) and I have created a good friendship.

Kiki Nembhard: Oh nice! So what drew you to this Series?

Stevel Marc: Growing up, Face/Off was one of my favorite films. So having the same writer, Micheal Colleary, writing this Series was major for me. The producers and cast also sealed it for me. Thabang Moleya (Happiness Is a Four-Letter Word) and I worked together before and I love what he brings; I was excited to team up with him again on this – he directs two episodes. Bharat Nalluri (The Man Who Invented Christmas) who directs 3 episodes was also a big deal for me along with producers Jeff Most, Dr Lwazi Manzi and Michael Auret. I’m proud to be a part of this project.

Kiki Nembhard: We see that the Stevel Marc brand keeps growing. You’re an international Model, published Author of the book The Refined Player (Sex, Lies and Dates), your Acting career has been blossoming, and now you have Stevel Marc Photography which is doing very well. You’ve worked with the likes of Connie Ferguson, Wendy Luhabe, Minnie Dlamini-Jones, Charity Baaitse and more. Is there anything you’d like to do in business that you haven’t done yet?

Stevel Marc: I’ve always considered life to be an open canvas and we’re its painters. I’ve said that to say: I’m an entrepreneur at heart. I’m always open to opportunities. My goal and hope is to always have the ability to meet these opportunities. While we’re at it, I have a new sunglass range coming out in August called Alpaca.

Kiki Nembhard: Sunglass range? You definitely are entrepreneur at heart. Can I suggest that you also look at having your own range of suits in future? You’re one of those men who know how to WEAR a suit. You don’t just put it on, you WEAR it. It always fits perfectly.

Stevel Marc: Oh, I am? Thank you.

Kiki Nembhard: I know you’re busy and you have to get back to set. Thank you so much for your time. Wishing you all the best with the new series and everything else. Keep shining.

Stevel Marc: This was fun. Thank you.

More about The Professionals:

“The Professionals,” a television action series depicting the high-risk lives of Private Military Contractors (PMC’s) is an Official Ireland – Republic of South Africa Co-Production with primary locations in South Africa and Ireland.

The series also boasts a strong contingent of black South Africans both behind and in front of the camera with an equally strong female and black female contingent, making this one of the most diverse contemporary television shows to emerge from post-apartheid South Africa. Of note is director Thabang Moleya (Happiness is a Four-Letter Word, Jacobs Cross) who will be making his mark in international television directing 2 key episodes of “The Professionals.”

Spier Films (uCarmen eKhayelitsha, The Salvation, Of Good Report, An Act of Defiance, The Harvesters), led by its directors Micheal Auret and Dr. Lwazi Manzi is the South African co-producing company in the first high budget television series to be shot under the auspices of the South Africa/ Ireland co-production treaty.

The cast includes: Brendan Fraser (The Mummy), Tom Welling (Smallville), Elena Anaya (Wonderwoman), Saïd Taghmaoui (American Hustle), Ken Duken (Inglorious Bastards), Lisa Loven Kongsli (Force Majeure) , August Wittgenstein (Das Boot), Stevel Marc (Of Good Report), Tanya van Graan (Zulu), Kai Luke Brummer (Origins), and Nic Rasenti (Outlander). A host of other South African actors will also enjoy the privilege of participating alongside these stars and international exposure when the series sells worldwide. Of note is newcomer Jazzara Jaslyn who made a strong impression with the sales agent Telemunchen.

This is Africa’s biggest co-production to date, with a combined budget of 27 million US dollars.

I personally can’t wait for this series to air. The talent in it is top notch.