Wilhelm van der Walt on his role in Skemergrond: ‘I am very ambitious and driven like him’
Wilhelm van der Walt, who plays the role of Dirk Maritz in Skemergrond, caused a stir with his first appearance – and now he is back to make sure his and his mother’s secret stays buried.
Dirk initially came to save his mother Tillie (Deirdre Wolhuter) from the clutches of his father Willem (Deon Lotz), but then things went horribly wrong when the two caused Willem’s death after a fight. They buried Willem’s body at Everlasting and never spoke a word about it again.
“Dirk is the typical go-getter and businessman who enjoys life in the big city, after growing up on Gemoedsdrif. He lived on the farm Langverloren and has mixed feelings about his childhood years. The farm was dear to him, but that affection was overshadowed by his overbearing father. He loves money and has forgotten his roots along the way.”
Wilhelm says he enjoys Dirk’s drive and ambition the most.
“He has a no-nonsense attitude and feels the world owes him something, and he expects to get what he wants.”
On the other hand, there is the more complex side of Dirk’s character.
“The parts where he struggles with moral decisions between good and evil are challenging. He thinks he is doing good, but at the same time he is also destroying people’s lives.”
Wilhelm says he sees a bit of himself in Dirk:
“I am very ambitious and driven like him. I also love my mother very much and will always put her first, but I am not as manipulative and intimidating as he is.”
Wilhelm loves working on the set of Skemergrond.
“I really enjoy the people. I know most of the group from Arendsvlei, and everyone is one big family with a lot of respect for each other and for what each person’s responsibility is. Deirdre and Dirk Stoltz are also such powerhouse actors. So, I thoroughly enjoy it. Deirdre does so much preparation, and you can see it in her work. She is focused and gives me the confidence and focus to be able to do my job well.”
In addition to Skemergrond, Wilhelm is busy with three plays that will go the arts festivals this year.
“I will also be doing my first one-man show, which I am really looking forward to,” he says.
Skemergrond airs every Monday to Thursday at 19:30 on kykNET&kie (DStv channel 145). It’s also available on DStv Stream and Catch Up.
