Lian Strydom

A South African, Afrikaans-language telenovela which takes place in and around a competitive swimming club, Die Swartmarlyne.

What happens when your worst enemy is the only person who can help you? In Ontwaak, the story revolves around Melissa Human, a psychiatrist who starts working at Noordlig, a home for extremely dangerous patients. But behind the high walls, more than just patients await her. She discovers a sinister cult, Horisonne, that has taken in her daughter, and is led by her ex-fiancé. To save her daughter, Melissa must cross her own boundaries and rely on a brilliant serial killer. However, every answer leads to a new danger; every choice has a price. This is not just a fight against a cult – it’s a fight against the darkest depths of the self.

The drama series moves between the present and the nineties in Langkloof where Lisa and Henriëtte share their close teenage friendship and dreams, but a series of dark secrets ultimately drive the two apart.