The drama series Een keer om die son was a massive hit in 2024. The good news is that the Van Wyks are taking us for another orbit around the sun when the new season begins on 20 January on kykNET.
The second season of Een keer om die son kicks off on New Year’s Day, but this time not all of the Van Wyks are together to celebrate. Life has taken its course, and each faces their own challenges, not only on the first day of the year, but for the rest of the year as well. These challenges range from finding acceptance and embracing second chances, addiction and life-changing medical issues, to each person’s search for their place within the family circle.
Jacques Bessenger returns as Dr Ruan van Wyk, a neurologist who sometimes places his work ahead of other priorities. Jana Kruger is Lani van Wyk, who died in the first season and whose death left more questions than answers. Lani returns in flashbacks in season 2.
Ruan and Lani’s children are Markus (Liam Bosman), Leandri (Alma van Heerden) and Sophia (Klara van Zyl). In season 2, each faces an obstacle in their path. Albert Maritz plays Sebastian, the retired professor of entomology, and Joanie Combrink is Elma, the Van Wyk matriarch who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in season 1.
In season 1, Amé (Donnalee Roberts), Ruan’s younger sister, saw her marriage crumble, and in season 2, she finds her feet as an independent and ambitious woman. But will she find love again? A new character in season 2 is Erika du Randt, a social worker whose career is her first and only love. The role is played by Cindy Swanepoel.
Other returning characters include Sebastian and Elma’s good friends Salie and Jan Wessels (Susanne Beyers and Pierre van Pletzen), Markus’s dance partner, Charlie (Simone Neethling), Leandri’s boyfriend, Xavier (Alex van Dyk), Lani’s father, Trevor de Kock (Deon Lotz), nurse Karen (Isadora Verwey) and Charl Boshoff (Ivan Botha), Amé’s colleague. Young actor Heinrich Wenzel, known for his roles in Niggies and Die nuusmakers, appears as Elijah Smith, whose path crosses with Leandri’s in an unusual way.
The series is written by Ivan Botha, Donnalee Roberts, Liani Jansen van Rensburg, Marista van Eeden and Almero Welgemoed. Ivan, Donnalee and Danie Bester are the producers, and Ivan is the director. Hyundai is a proud sponsor of Een keer om die son.
The writers weigh in on the new season
“An important starting point for us was definitely what the heart of the second season should be; what is the message and feeling we want to leave viewers with after each episode and at the end of the series,” says Donnalee about how they built the puzzle for the second season.
“It came back to one word every time: hope. People must realise that in this life – no matter how many times you stumble – there is always hope: hope for getting up, hope for renewal, hope for a second chance. No matter how dark times feel, the sun will always shine again.” “It is always a challenge to tackle a second season, especially when the first season was a hit,” says Ivan. “We are of course grateful for the success and that it was so beloved, but we also knew the story wasn’t finished yet. It was a joy to dust off the characters and to reopen old wounds, so to speak. If you loved season 1, you will love season 2.”
He says there is something for everyone and storylines for all generations. “There is also a nice thread of tension that runs through this season,” says Ivan.
“Yes, viewers can expect everything – suspense, love, heartbreak, humour. The balance of season 2 is fuller than the first season,” says Donnalee. “Several themes are touched upon: anxiety and depression, facing your own mortality, what happens after death, addiction and how easily it can happen, generations having to live together under one roof again and yes, second chances. At its heart and core, however, we return to the fact that family must be the centre of your solar system.”
She says families tend to sweep things under the rug. “As the Van Wyks also tend to do, but this time they are working very hard to roll up that rug.” For Ivan, it was important to bring renewal to the second season. “We have a large story world with various places where we filmed. Then, of course, there is our incredible cast and technical team who worked just as hard to bring more of themselves to the second season. After the wrap party on the last day of filming, I received a message from one of the production members who said it felt to her as if she could see the light again. I hope viewers see that light too.
“We hope this season gives people the courage to open up conversations with their own families – to not be afraid that their family won’t understand them or be afraid of judgement. We must have understanding for each other and realise we are actually only here to walk each other home.”
For Donnalee, it was a privilege to work with Ivan as director again. “He is the same on day 1 as he is on day 65 of filming. As a director and production leader, he has an incredible ability to give everyone their space. And because he works so hard, he inspires others to work just as hard and dig just as deep.”
The second season of Een keer om die son begins on Tuesday 20 January on kykNET (DStv channel 144). It will also be available on DStv Stream and Catch Up. You can binge-watch the first season on Showmax.
