Following standout roles in The Wife, Red Ink, and iThonga, acclaimed actor Bonko Khoza takes on another commanding performance, this time as Detective Steve Vilakazi in Levels, Mzansi Magic’s gripping new crime thriller packed with suspense and magnetic storytelling.

Created by the award-winning Busisiwe Ntintili under The Ntintili Factory, Levels kicks off with a R1 billion foreign currency heist at a private airport, igniting a tense investigation. Elite detective Bongi Nkosi, played by the sharp and dynamic Lunathi Mampofu (Inimba), is put on the case, but things take an unexpected turn when she’s teamed up with the ambitious Vilakazi. What follows is a tangle of secrets, betrayal, unresolved trauma, and a spark neither detective saw coming.

At the core is Khoza’s emotionally complex portrayal of a man caught between justice and self-preservation. In this exclusive feature, he unpacks the layers of Steve Vilakazi, reflects on his on-screen chemistry with Mampofu, and reaffirms why he continues to be one of the country’s most captivating performers.

Here’s how the interview went down!

When you first read the script, did you know immediately that you’d like to play this character? What was your initial reaction?

BONKO KHOZA: When I first read the script, I was immediately drawn to Steve. There was a rawness to him – a man who carries both strength and vulnerability in equal measure. I could see the layers, the contradictions, and the challenges. That’s always exciting for me as an actor because it means there’s room to truly build something real and human.

Tell us a bit about the character of Steve Vilakazi.

BONKO KHOZA: Steve is a man trying to reconcile his past with his present. He’s not perfect – in fact, he’s deeply flawed – but what makes him fascinating is the way he navigates those flaws. He’s someone who’s constantly torn between doing what’s right and protecting himself, and that makes him relatable. We all have moments where our choices weigh heavy on us, and Steve lives in that space every day.

You’ve tackled intense and iconic roles before – what about Steve Vilakazi made you nervous, excited… or both?

BONKO KHOZA: What excited me most was the unpredictability of Steve. He doesn’t live on the surface – he makes you dig. That’s a gift for an actor but also nerve-wracking because you want to do justice to that complexity. I knew I’d have to approach him with honesty and vulnerability, which is always both thrilling and terrifying.

You’re known for fully immersing yourself in your roles. How do you keep each character fresh and distinct from what you’ve done before?

BONKO KHOZA: For me, it’s about listening. Every character has a unique voice, rhythm, and truth. I strip myself of what I’ve done before and allow the script, the world, and the people around me to inform how this new character breathes. I also spend a lot of time digging into their inner life – what they fear, what they desire – and that naturally creates distinction.

What sets Levels apart from every other series out there? Why is this one worth watching week after week?

BONKO KHOZA: Levels speaks to the world we live in right now – ambition, power, betrayal, survival – but it does so in a way that feels distinctly South African. The storytelling is bold and unafraid, the performances are electric, and the stakes are very real. It’s not just entertainment; it’s a mirror. And I think audiences will see themselves reflected in unexpected ways.

Your dynamic with Lunathi Mampofu’s character, Bongi Nkosi, is electric from the start. What was it like working with Lunathi?

BONKO KHOZA: Working with Lunathi was an absolute gift. She’s incredibly talented and deeply present, which makes every scene with her alive and unpredictable. We trusted each other, and that trust gave us the freedom to push boundaries and really explore the tension between Steve and Bongi.

What’s one behind-the-scenes moment or scene on Levels that stands out for you as a highlight?

BONKO KHOZA: There was a particularly intense scene we shot late at night in the warehouse where everything just clicked – the energy, the crew, the silence on set before “action.” When we wrapped that scene, the whole room felt it. Those moments remind you why you fell in love with storytelling in the first place.

What type of roles do you still wish to play in future?

BONKO KHOZA: I’m always chasing roles that scare me, characters who force me to grow as a human being. I’d love to explore more psychological roles, maybe a character caught between genius and madness, or stories rooted in African mythology told on a global stage. Roles that challenge perceptions and open doors for our cinema.

What impact do you want your work to have as you continue to grow as an artist?

BONKO KHOZA: I want my work to affirm that African stories have weight, beauty, and universality. I hope to inspire young actors who come from where I come from to believe that their dreams are valid, and to remind audiences that acting is not just about escape. It’s also about reflection, healing, and connection.

Who’s most likely to break character and laugh during a serious scene – you or Lunathi?

BONKO KHOZA: Definitely me! Lunathi is laser-focused, but every now and then we’ll find the humour in the smallest thing, and it takes us a moment to get back into it. But that’s the joy of it, to work and to also have fun. 

Watch Levels every Sunday at 8PM on Mzansi Magic Channel 161.

Source(s): Interview supplied