Brian Manthenga came here from Zimbabwe to study massage therapy and ended up as a TV doctor. He talks to JOANNA HUNKIN
His name means heart or soul in Swahili. Or breast in Mapanzugun. And in the wilds of the Congo, it can be used as a friendly greeting to say hello.
Dr Xavier Moyo is Shortland Street's first African resident, and just like his multi-meaninged name, he is a complex character. Dark and brooding, the Zimbabwean doctor joined the hospital staff in December last year and is the latest bloke to fall for the Street's resident man-eater Alice Piper. Played by acting newcomer Brian Manthenga, Moyo is torn between enjoying his new life here and responsibilities back home. Something Manthenga can relate to all too well.
"I could go crazy and have a debauched time living here in New Zealand," he explains in a deep, resonant voice. "At the same time, I can't live that fully while I have people at home that can be helped by me."
A trained massage therapist, Manthenga came to New Zealand three years ago from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. With no acting experience behind him, his natural storytelling ability and love of a good yarn soon saw him land a gig on the local music channel Alt TV. From there, he made his acting debut with the Auckland Theatre Company before a Shortland Street scout spotted him and enlisted him for the show.
"I came over here and went to college and got my diploma in therapeutic massage. That was absolutely fabulous. And then suddenly I became a doctor," he laughs.
Despite no formal training as a thespian, Manthenga's background in massage and a family history of storytelling have put him in good stead to play Moyo.
"The massage stuff made the medical stuff easier. I loved doing anatomy and physiology and all of those things when I was in college. So when it came to doing all the doctor stuff on Shortland Street, I knew what they were talking about. I'm a bit of a nerd," he laughs, before explaining how his upbringing has also helped him with the role.
"I come from an arty family. I don't know if that helps but I'll dance at the drop of a hat, tell a story when I can ...
"But that's a cultural thing as well. The culture of storytelling."
The writers at Shortland Street made the most of those storytelling abilities, inviting him to help create his character and back story. It was the actor who came up with Moyo's name - which he sees as representing both the emotional heart of the person and the medical heart of the surgeon.
Manthenga also discussed the responsibilities of the first-born and the cultural disconnect foreigners experience in a new country, which have become central storylines for the character.
In real life, the hardest thing he has faced is being away from his family and missing milestone events like his mother's birthday and brother's wedding. But he plans to stay here and continue to explore our varied landscape.
"I love New Zealand, I really do," he enthuses. "I've had so much fun here and met so many amazing people. I've barely even scratched the surface of travel in New Zealand.
"I really enjoy the scenery and the fact there are no wild animals that can kill me."
Moving in: new faces on the Street
Character: Tai Scott
Actor: Xavier Horan
Role: The Street's new bad boy. Tai is the delinquent brother of James Scott (Kiel McNaughton) and is fresh out of prison.
Previously seen: In Toa Fraser's award-winning feature debut No. 2 (for which he won best supporting actor at the New Zealand Screen Awards) and Fraser's follow up feature, Dean Spanley.
Character: Dr Gabrielle Jacobs
Actor: Virginie Le Brun
Role: Shortland Street's new head of surgery, who happens to have Asperger's Syndrome.
Previously seen: On Juice TV, where she presented the daily request show for six years.
Character: Daniel Potts
Actor: Ido Drent
Role: Tantrumming teenager. Daniel reappears as the son of Sarah Potts, in an apparent bid to get to know his mum better - and drive her mad in the process.
Previously seen: In fashion mags and at industry events, where he struck a pose as a popular male model.
