Still Breathing’s Jane de Wet: “We all have a wild streak”

Jane de Wet is one of South Africa’s hottest new talents. She dazzled in the role of Lexi in The Girl From St Agnes, and is a scream queen in two freaky horror films, Rage and Parable. In Still Breathing, she plays grieving daughter Lexi. We chatted to her about the character and her experience on set.

In Still Breathing, you play Tegan. She’s rebellious and the black sheep of the family whereas you seem very different. How did you figure out the character?

Commonality can always be found. Sure, at face value, Tegan and I are very different. However, at the root of Tegan’s seemingly “difficult” demeanor, is a grieving girl who never felt good enough for her parents. Feelings of pain, unworthiness and so on are universal. Once I understood Tegan’s motivations, it became easier to justify her “bad” behaviours; I became less judgmental, more empathetic. Practical elements such as keeping the vape on me even when I wasn’t shooting, and listening to Tegan’s music before a scene, served as  physical reminders of her rebellious attitude, which helped me stay in character.  After all, we all have a wild streak in us, don’t we?

What’s been the most important lesson Teagan has taught you about yourself? 

It’s okay to crumble. It’s okay to sit on the bathroom floor and cry until you feel empty and numb. You don’t always have to be strong or keep it together. Sometimes, it’s enough to just be.

Still Breathing has an amazing cast. Who did you particularly enjoy working with? 

How do I pick just one out of a cast as exquisite as this one?! Everyone taught me something different. Shannon Esra always came ready with the best games and jokes; yet when it came down to business, she was one of the most prepared, professional and all-round brilliant performers I’ve ever worked with. 

The few days on set I was fortunate enough to spend with one of my role models, Lorcia Kumalo, she taught me so much about life and potentiality. We instantly connected, perhaps due to our shared background in dancing. Then there was Brandon, who always brought positive vibes and taught me not to take life too seriously. I could go on… everyone brought their own magic to set.

Why do you think every South African should binge this series?

It’s the closest thing to real life you’ll ever see; the perfect embodiment of the phrase “art holds a mirror to life”. Still Breathing portrays themes such as loss, love, betrayal, grief and family in the most honest, messy and imperfect way possible, making it relatable to individuals across the board. 

Every character is relatable in their own way and evokes true empathy, so that in the end, there are no real protagonists and antagonists, just… people… real people, reminding us that we all bleed the same.

Which series and movies are you streaming?

I’m currently watching The Handmaid’s Tale – in my opinion, an absolute masterpiece. Although the narrative is rather upsetting, nauseating even, it’s executed with so much tenderness and subtlety. Almost all the emotion lies in the unspoken – something I find extremely impressive and powerful. Elisabeth Moss is a genius.