Litnet

Roberto completed his studies towards a BA honours degree in theatre and performance from the University of Cape Town in 2015, specialising in acting. He has been in a number of UCT productions, including Bagasie, directed by Sandra Temmingh, Our country’s good, directed by Geoffrey Hyland, and Begeerte, directed by Amy Jephta.

His most recent theatre productions include Reparation, directed by Ameera Conrad, the Fugard Theatre’s Significant other, directed by Greg Karvellas, and All who pass, directed by Quanita Adams. Roberto, who is also a classically trained vocalist, appeared as Carl Abrahams opposite Marc Lottering and Loukmaan Adams in the Baxter Theatre’s hit musical, Aunty Merle the musical, directed by Lara Foot.

He made his TV debut in the Emmy Award-winning Fox drama Homeland season four as Marwand Haqqani, opposite Mandy Patinkin and Claire Danes. His film debut was in Gavin Hood’s Eye in the sky as Rashid Hamud, with Helen Mirren and the late Alan Rickman.

He has also worked on A Cinderella story: If the shoe fits by Michelle Johnston, and Nicolaj Arcel’s The dark tower, with Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey. His first South African TV role came as Skalkie Fortuin in kykNET’s Knapsekêrels, alongside Armand Aucamp, Dawid Minnaar and Terence Bridgett. He has appeared in Die Spreeus, directed by Jaco Bouwer, and Fynskrif 3, directed by Nina Swart, and he is currently playing the role of Lee-Roy Foster in kykNET & kie’s Arendsvlei. He will soon be leading the cast of John Gutierrez’s The gift, opposite Brendon Daniels and Nicole Fortuin.

Roberto has recently received his first Golden Horn for Best Actor in a Telenovela from the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) for his portrayal of Lee-Roy Foster.

• Photo: Nathan Kruger