Pearl Modiadie on being the feisty lawyer in Law, Love & Betrayal

Pearl Modiadie has proven that she can do it all, from hosting Craz-E and Zaziwa to presenting on Metro FM to acting in Scandal! and BET’s Redemption.

From today, Pearl is set to captivate audiences as Ayanda Gumede-Williams in the Showmax Original legal drama Law, Love and Betrayal (LLB). 

In Law, Love and Betrayal, she plays Ayanda Gumede-Williams, a brilliant lawyer working at Gumede & Associates, the law firm owned by her father, Gatsha Gumede, played by Nimrod Nkosi.

Xabiso Ngqabe sat down with Pearl to find out more: 

Tell us about Ayanda. 

Ayanda is a strong character, but her drive to be the best sometimes works to her detriment.She desperately seeks her father’s approval. She craves a close father-daughter relationship and longs for Gatsha to love her in the way she desires, but he expresses love in his own way, believing in tough love.

When it comes to her relationships, she is determined to make them work. She also invests heavily in her personal connections, like the one with her best friend, Lwazi. 

When it comes to her father, Ayanda tries to be cutthroat, knowing he wants a man to lead the firm, and she wants to fill that role. However, in her relationship with her friend, she allows herself to be vulnerable. That’s where she finds balance. I think that mirrors real life: how we often present different versions of ourselves to different people.

Did you do a lot of research for the role?

Absolutely, but I think more of my research goes into emotional research rather than factual details. When it comes to facts and lawyers, we can only go as far as the script gives us. 

I had to dig deep to understand Ayanda’s character. I had to recall what it’s like to want something so badly and to fight for what you truly love. To be in love and have it not work out; to invest in friendships and then to be betrayed. To know the experience of winning and achieving your goals. I had to dig deep, remember those moments in my life, and add into this character.

How is this character different from your earlier roles? 

I find her quite similar to Yvonne from BET’s Redemption. I start to wonder if these traits are something I bring out in my characters [chuckles]. Like Yvonne, who is ambitious and pushes people to be their best, Ayanda shares that drive. However, when I consider Kefilwe from Scandal!, she was a free spirit who just happened to be mixed up with the wrong people. So, she is quite different from these other characters. I think the common thread is that I often play strong characters.

In a few words, what is Law, Love and Betrayal?

LLB has a mix of everything: law, love, and a lot of betrayal. It will captivate those passionate about law and breathtaking cinematography, as well as those drawn to complex love stories and strong ambitious women in the corporate world. We have great fashion moments as well! The series features strong characters who each stand out in their own unique way, and the storyline is rich and layered. I’m confident it’s going to leave a huge impact on South Africa.

What do you hope the viewers take from Ayanda’s story?

Sometimes I feel sorry for her. Being strong can weigh heavy on you, and it’s clearly taken its toll on her. However, we do get glimpses of her lighter moments, though they are few and far between. I hope viewers will see the importance of family unity through her story – despite the complex relationship with her father. I think family is important and that’s what her story will actually portray.

What was it like to share a screen with Nimrod Nkosi?

He is amazing! Nimrod is such a great actor, and I truly enjoyed working with him. I met him a long time ago when he interviewed me on his talk show on Soweto TV. He didn’t remember that; however, he recognised me from Zaziwa. I think our on-screen dynamics will really shine through.

Any standout moments from filming the series?

Definitely when Ayanda is being a badass lawyer; I like that. I appreciate the strength she possesses. She’s fierce and does whatever it takes to get what she wants. I love her ambition. I also love her when she’s vulnerable, especially when she finds herself falling in love. Without giving too much away, I enjoy her awkward moments when she has to have intimate scenes. Yes, there are intimate scenes; there’s love. It’s Law, Love and Betrayal [chuckles]. It’s all-encompassing. As awkward as those scenes may be, I strive to embody the character as truthfully as possible.

What are you most excited about?

I’m excited about the cast; it’s exceptionally strong, and everyone brought their A-game. Working alongside someone like Nimrod Nkosi was quite special. Dineo Rasedile, who has been in the industry for a decade, takes on her first adult role here. Because she looks young, she’s often been cast in younger roles, so seeing her shine in this new role was truly exciting. I think beautiful television is what we’ve created; that’s what I’m really excited about.

About LLB

Stream Law, Love and Betrayal on Thursdays from 5 September 2024 on Showmax. The 13-episode legal drama moves between Thembisa and Sandton. Created by executive producer Thandi Ramathesele (a long-time producer on 7de Laan), LLB is produced by Izwi Multimedia and directed by Nthabiseng Tau (Youngins, Outlaws) and SAFTA winners Nthabiseng Mokoena (The Wife, Gomora, Fatal Seduction) and Christo Davids (Spoorloos, Legacy, Hartklop).