Jane De Wet, Maite Rakabe, Elzet Nel, Zandelle Meyer and Lindzay Naidoo in Trompoppie
5 January 2024

"It's going to keep people on the edge of their seats" - Jane de Wet on Trompoppie

Trompoppie is now streaming on Showmax, with new episodes every Thursday until 8 February 2024. 

When Luna, a talented gymnast, is awarded a bursary to a prestigious private school she could never afford, she is thrust into the cut-throat world of an elite group of drum majorettes, aka “trompoppies”. After a hazing ritual goes badly wrong, trompoppies start turning up dead and the seemingly perfect facade of the community begins to crumble.  

Watch the trailer for Trompoppie

After her breakthrough role as Lexi in the Showmax Original The Girl from St Agnes, Jane de Wet has gone from strength to strength, picking up a SAFTA nomination for Griekwastad, starring in Spoorloos: Steynhof, and impressing in the stage production of Damon Galgut’s Booker Prize-winning novel, The Promise. 

She tells us more about her latest character, Valerie, and her time on the set of Trompoppie.

What did you know about drum majorettes before you got involved with the show?

Not much! Thankfully, Trompoppie combines the concept of drum majorettes with traditional cheerleading - something I do happen to be well-versed in. I was a cheerleader for the DHL Stormers and the IPL in India in 2018 and have done my fair share of corporate dance work, very much in the style of Trompoppie. As a trained dancer, I am all too familiar with the dynamics of a dance group - how familial, yet dysfunctional and toxic it can be. Trompoppie makes no bones about showcasing these complexities, which I really love. 

Tell us more about your character.

Trompoppie_Jane-de-Wet

When we first meet Valerie, she is a fairly conservative, yet popular, young girl. She is 17 years old, with a bright future ahead of her. She is also very loyal to her friends. Having walked a few miles together, there is a strong bond between them. Then, when the hazing ritual goes wrong, Valerie is thrown off balance. She discovers a side of herself that she didn't know existed, and I think that makes her a little afraid of herself. She was always very black and white, but her boundaries and morals start to erode as she fends for herself and her friends in the protection of their secret. 

How did the series challenge you?

In a personal capacity, I was challenged by the fact that we were shooting at night most of the time (and in the middle of winter). My body clock struggled to adjust, leaving me sleep deprived (and cold) for a number of weeks. However, exhaustion sometimes creates an interesting platform for an uninhibited performance, which can be good. In terms of my character, I was challenged by her age - to remain and respond within the emotional and mental parameters of a 17-year-old, to whom everything feels like the end of the world.   

What was the highlight for you?

Ironically, my highlight and my low point are one and the same: the cold. It was the middle of winter and we were shooting barefoot outside in the mud. We suffered - to the point of hilarity, which makes it some of my favourite memories too. In order to cope with our conditions, we joked and laughed A LOT. The love and good energy among us made it bearable. As they say, those who suffer together, stick together. 

Why should people watch Trompoppie?

Trompoppie is entertaining and it's going to keep people on the edge of their seats. There is not a moment where a viewer can possibly be bored; it has a fast pace and there is always a lot at stake. 

Join the conversation #TrompoppieShowmax.

Share:

More like this

Mobland S1 is on Showmax

MobLand S1

Tom Hardy and Pierce Brosnan propel this gripping, gritty crime drama series that follows two powerful families engaged in an intense power struggle.

MobLand on Showmax

Big mobs, small jobs: 10 crime series to stream on Showmax

Not everybody can be the Godfather. From MobLand to The Cleaning Lady to Gangs of London, we look at 11 small but essential jobs that take care of the organising behind organised crime. 

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Africa.jpg

Must-watch trailer: The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa brings together Housewives from across the continent, landing on Showmax on 28 November 2025.

OriginalMade in South Africa
The Real Housewives of Potomac S10 on Showmax

The Real Housewives of Potomac S9-10

The reality series follows several well-to-do women who live in a community of rolling hills and gated mansions in Potomac.

First
The Paper S1 on Showmax

From The Office to The Paper

As The Office’s OG documentary crew gets a new business in their crosshairs, we expose the connections between these two workplace mockumentaries.

First
Michael C Hall as Dexter in Dexter: Resurrection

Dexter's deadly to-do list in Dexter: Resurrection

Dexter’s son Harrison “killed” him in the finale of Dexter: New Blood. But he’s back from the dead and on a mission: tie up loose ends.

Spinnes S2 on Showmax

Clementine Mosimane, Mondli Makhoba and Luyanda Zwane join Spinners S2

Clementine Mosimane, Mondli Makhoba and Luyanda Zwane join the cast of Spinners for Season 2, coming to CANAL+ platforms, DStv and Showmax.

OriginalMade in South Africa
Black Bag is on Showmax

Inside spy movie Black Bag

Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, director Steven Soderbergh and writer David Koepp give us a top-secret peek inside their new spy movie Black Bag.

Trompoppie: Luna takes control

Trompoppie: Mixing things up

Latest Stories

Bafana Bafana live on Showmax Premier League

Bafana Bafana composed for Durban showdown against Zimbabwe

Arsenal live on Showmax Premier League

Arsenal and Liverpool early front-runners ahead of Premier League international break

Married at First Sight S2 is on Showmax

Married at First Sight's Portia Baloyi on the reunion and her ex

Slay Queens on Showmax

Must-watch trailer: Slay Queens doccie coming to Showmax

Catch the fiery battle between Chelsea and Liverpool live on Showmax Premier League

The Premier League canvas: a Saturday masterpiece painted in blue and red

Married at First Sight S2 is on Showmax

Relebogile Mabotja to host the two-hour Married at First Sight reunion special

Chasing the Sun 2 on Showmax

South Africa in third place at International Emmys, with four MultiChoice nominations

A still from Finding Optel showing Claire looking through binoculars

What to watch on Showmax in October 2025

Catch Newcastle v Arsenal live on Showmax Premier League on Sunday, 28 September at 17:30

The clash of the new number 9s: Gyökeres vs Woltemade

Married at First Sight S2 is on Showmax

Married at First Sight: Themba on his "stunning" wife Nelisa

Thelma on Showmax

June Squibb wins Best Actress award at age 95 for Thelma

Catch the blockbuster Premier League weekend live on Showmax Premier League.

Red vs Blue: Showmax Premier League serves up a blockbuster weekend

Catch all the action from the Premier League live on Showmax PL.

Blockbuster Premier League weekend: Red vs Blue

Gerard Butler as 'Big Nick' O'Brien and O’Shea Jackson Jr. as Donnie Wilson in Den of Thieves 2: Panthera. Photo Credit: Rico Torres.

Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr chat about Den of Thieves 2: Pantera

Lunathi Mampofu in Levels Season 1 on Mzansi Magic

Where to see the cast of Levels on Showmax

Catch the London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham live on Showmax Premier League.

From doubt to dynamo: Micky van de Ven's rise at Tottenham

Catch the MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch, live on Showmax Premier League.

Mhlongo's bold prediction: Pirates to clinch MTN8 Title for a fourth year running

Catch the Manchester Derby live on Showmax Premier League.

Glory awaits: From MTN8 Kings to Manchester's Crown, football's biggest stage is on Showmax

The Brutalist on Showmax

Art, money and power: a blueprint for The Brutalist

Catch all five episodes of Giants on Showmax now!

Uncover the soul of South African football with the boxset of Giants

Vaal Riviera is on Showmax

Rianza Snyman on Vaal Riviera and being a stay-at-home mom

Catch all the action from the Premier League live on Showmax PL.

The best Premier League signings of 2025's summer window

Finding Optel on Showmax

SA siblings’ debut film chosen for BFI London Film Festival

Youngins S3 on Showmax

Simo Magwaza on his challenging role as De Klerk in Youngins