Salt of the earth – an interview with Stian Bam

Stian Bam, who plays the love-him-or-hate-him detective André Fourie in Season 2 of Die Boland Moorde (Season 1 currently on Showmax; Season 2 available on kykNET and Showmax for international subscribers – read more here), spoke to TV Plus about acting, family life, and his love for art.

Humble Stian says that many people and elements are involved when he plays a part. “As an actor, it’s your job to prepare, learn your lines, be on time and convey the situation as honestly as possible. And that’s all I do,” he says. But did you know that Stian is also a doting dad (to son Jannes, 5, and daughter Sofia, 1) and a visual artist? He tells us more.

We heard love might be in the air between André and the pathologist Rachelle de Jager (Tinarie van Wyk-Loots) in season 2 of Die Boland Moorde. What can you tell us about that?

André is no Casanova. He approaches relationships like he handles business. But Rachelle does throw him off course a little…

How do you approach action scenes in the series? Do you handle the firearms yourselves?

Yes, obviously there are scenes with firearms, but they’re only props. And there’s no weapon in sight during André’s biggest action scenes in the last episode [on Tuesday 4 April]. There are weapons of another kind that frighten André and make him bolt. Violence and action are, however, not the focal point of this series. But there is definitely no shortage of suspense!

How has fatherhood influenced your life?

Both my kids were born in the years when I was working on Die Boland Moorde. Jannes was born a month before we started filming the first season [in 2012], and Sofia was about two-and-a-half months old when we shot the second [in 2016]. I’m fearing the call for a third season… [Laughs] You change forever when you have children. Nothing can prepare you. All you can do is to scale the wave and ride it.

Why did you choose acting as a career?

I often ask myself the same thing. I don’t think you decide to become an actor. I decided to learn the craft of acting because I had an affinity and passion for it. But I’m only an actor because Marthinus Basson – one of my third-year lecturers at Stellenbosch, where I studied from 2002 to 2004 – cast me in his opera Maria De Buenos Aires [performed for the first time in 1968]. And ever since then, I’ve been lucky enough to get the opportunity to practise the craft.

And if you weren’t an actor, what would you be?

A fine artist. I also worked in hospitality for a long time in my life and I found that very fulfilling. I didn’t make too bad a job of being a waiter either… But I pride myself on being the best dishwasher the Oak Bank Hotel in Grasmere, UK ever had. I worked there from 1996 to 1997. I was super quick and very thorough [Laughs].

What lessons have you learnt in showbiz?

It’s difficult. With acting in particular –nothing can replace hard work. That you should never think you know enough. That you can only grow if you give yourself the opportunity to be receptive. And in general, it’s wise to have a thick skin in our industry.

So what other hobbies keep you busy?

I play around with paintbrushes and charcoal when I have the time. My good friend David Pieterse and I go to the Stellenbosch dam to fish most Sunday afternoons, and sometimes Jannes and David’s boys come too. It’s my best way to relax and I’ve realised it’s a good place to learn lines.

Subscribe to Showmax to watch Season 1 of Die Boland Moorde if you’re in SA, and the brand-new Season 2 if you’re an international subscriber »