Out with a bang

Jamie Bartlett tells us about his final scenes on Rhythm City, bringing to a close his 13-year run as wicked gangster David Genaro.

“Leaving the soapie wasn’t an easy decision. I wasn’t ready to part ways with the character yet,” says Jamie Bartlett, who’s played puppetmaster, club owner and downright dirty gangster David Genaro on Rhythm City since it started airing in July 2007. Viewers were on the edge of their seats on Wednesday 5 February when David’s business enemies Suffocate and Khulekani (Mduduzi Mabaso and Mncedisi Shabangu) dragged him to a rooftop and shot him to death. Usually after a shoot-out, David rises from the ashes like a mythical phoenix. But not this time around. He didn’t miraculously crawl his way to a hospital and was back up and running his businesses in a matter of days, like he did when he was shot in the chest in December last year. It really is the end of the road for him, explains Jamie. “David won’t be waking from the dead like before. Or if he does, it won’t be anytime soon. He was a pleasure to portray for 13 years. I’ve had a good run on the soapie and I’m looking forward to my future.”

A FIERY ENDING