David Heron - Contributed Photo

NEW YORK (CMC):

Renowned Jamaican playwright and actor, David Heron, has landed a role in the new drama series, Ya Ma Afrika, that will have its world network premiere in February.

A statement from the Jamaica Consulate here said that the drama series, set in New York City, follows the personal and profes-sional lives of four ambitious and attractive young African women sharing an apartment in Brooklyn, New York.

"As they try to forge a better life for themselves in their adopted homeland, they encounter numerous obstacles and challenges ranging from immigration issues to romance, to various family crises," the statement said.

The half-hour drama series will air on the international cable channel, 3A Telesud, which is beamed to millions of viewers throughout Africa and Europe and is also seen in the United States (U.S.).

Heron plays the role of Marcus Leslie, an advertising agency employee and co-worker of one of the four principal characters.

"He's employed to the same ad agency as Thandi, one of the four roommates who hail from South Africa. They are good friends, and he's married, but he has also has a bit of an eye, so there are several compromising situations in which he gets himself as the series goes on," Heron said.

This is Heron's first recurring role in a television series and he is eagerly anticipating the challenge.

"Marcus is Jamaican-born and has been living in New York for many years, and like the four lead characters, he still identifies strongly with his homeland ... I'm hoping to inject a real 'yard' vibe into him to add to the show's diversity and appeal, and hopefully, keep Jamaica firmly in focus and on the map," he added.

Award-winning African filmmaker, Thato Mwaso, of Botswana, serves as writer and director for the series, which is executive produced by Came-roonian-born Else Bollanga.

The cast includes Miss Universe 1999, Mpule Kwelagobe, also of Botswana; top model Soulemayne Sy Sylvane, from Côte d'Ivoire, and U.S. radio personality Omekongo, who is of Congolese descent.

Heron said that the producers were in negotiations to have the show air throughout the West Indies.