"Khaki Fever" star Abel Knobel set to take on a new role in kykNET's "Diepe Waters".
Image: Instagram.
Musician and "Khaki Fever" star Abel Knobel is onto his next new role as a triathlete named Liam in kykNET's "Diepe Waters".
The first time viewers meet him, he is training shirtless in the park with a level of intensity that catches everyone’s eye.
While Abel admits he isn’t a pro in real life, he felt a natural connection to the part: “I may not be a professional athlete, but like Liam, I have always had a great passion for training and sport; I was therefore able to prepare physically for this character whom I adore," says Knobel.
He shares that he spent two months training twice a day, swimming seriously, and following a strict diet.
“In those two months before my first day on set, I trained incredibly hard.”
Abel Knobel.
Image: Supplied.
While appearing shirtless on screen can be daunting, his previous experience in the Showmax comedy "Khaki Fever" helped him feel more comfortable.
For Knobel, looking the part was essential to making his character feel real.
"This is the most intense role I have ever played. The preparation and challenges with Liam have taken me to a new level of self-discovery and growth as an actor.
"The moment I read what his challenges were, what his story was and who he is, I immediately had a gut feeling that this character was written for me."
In the show, Liam is a whirlwind of energy who speaks quickly and loses focus, making swimming coaches like Gys (Justin Strydom) and René (Marijke Coetser) a bit worried.
Knobel sees parts of himself in that energy, though he is a bit more grounded than his character.
“Like Liam, I also have positivity and zest for life. But Liam’s energy can sometimes overwhelm people. I am much more aware of how I come across to others,” says the actor, who has previously appeared in "Spoorloos" and "7de Laan".
Joining the "Diepe Waters" team was a highlight for Knobel, especially since he already had a connection to his co-stars.
"Marijke and I are both from Bethlehem and have worked together in a production before. And someone like Gys Swarts may always look serious on TV, but Justin is so gentle and caring toward everyone around him,” he says.
While his character Liam spends his time running through Boskruin to escape a mysterious past, in real life, Knobel is looking towards the future.
This year, he plans on focusing on his music and his company, Abel Art Productions.
Sharing his excitement on Instagram, Knobel wrote: "My words fail to describe what I have experienced over the past 4 months, and I can finally share it with you. Only the people close to me know what a 'commitment' it was, and still is, to play this role.
"I am grateful for what this character could teach me about myself, and I really developed a lot of respect and love for him. He is a special one (you will see what I mean later, haha), and in some ways, he allowed me to see my own world anew through a different type of lens.
"I firmly believe that sometimes characters are written for you, as if you don’t choose the work and the art, but it chooses you."