In the second season of our suspense-filled holiday romance series How to Ruin Christmas: The Funeral, fans are reunited with the Sello and Twala families for a healthy seasonal dose of familial guilt (and humor). Of course, the unbearably relatable hijinks of a wedding gone wrong would not work without a synchronized cast to back it up.

How to Ruin Christmas: The Wedding and its sequel both expertly pull talent from South Africa’s most notable TV shows and feature films. In fact, some cast members had already shared the screen with each other before making their Netflix debut. From singer-songwriters who’ve made the leap to small screens to movie veterans, get to know the cast of the How to Ruin Christmas franchise below. 

Busi Lurayi as Tumi Sello 

Before she was ruining Christmas as the rebellious Tumi Sello, Busi Lurayi was flexing her comedic and dramatic chops in shows like City Ses'la, ER, Sokhulu and Partners II and Vutha between 2005 and 2020. For the medical drama Vutha, she played the role of Dr. Lungile Asumadu. 

Thando Thabethe as Beauty Sello

Thando Thabethe portrays Tumi’s sister, Beauty, the nervous wreck of a bride-to-be in Season 1. Before she became an actor, Thabethe was known as a radio host for premier South African stations, including YFM and 5FM. Her acting career spans more than a decade, though, and Thabethe has appeared in TV shows like Blood Psalms and Housekeepers, as well as features like Love Lives Here and rom-com Mrs. Right Guy. She most recently appeared in the crime thriller series Reyka. 

You can find Thabethe on Instagram @thando_thabethe and Twitter @Thando_Thabethe.

Yonda Thomas as Khaya Manqele

Yonda Thomas has been acting for over 10 years, appearing in shows like Doubt, Madiba and Wild at Heart. Fans will also recognize Thomas from the feature rom-com Seriously Single, co-directed by How to Ruin Christmas creators Katleho Ramaphakela and Rethabile Ramaphakela. Coincidentally, he even shared the screen with Thando Thabethe in Mrs. Right Guy. 

You can find Thomas on Instagram @yondathomas and Twitter @Yonda_Thomas.

Nambitha Ben-Mazwi as Refiloe

Prior to playing Refiloe, Nambitha Ben-Mazwi acted in shows such as Dead Places and Diamond City. She also appeared, as herself, in the 2020 Afrofuturist visual album, Black Is King, from Beyoncé. 

You can find Ben-Mazwi  on Instagram @ladynam_bm and Twitter @LadyNam_BM. 

Clementine Mosimane as Dineo Sello 

Clementine Mosimane, who plays Tumi’s mother, Dineo, has been acting for over 25 years — and showing no sign of slowing down. Since 1994, Mosimane has appeared in TV series and movies such as Onder Draai die Duiwel Rond... , The Long Run, Soul City and Poppie Nongena. After the first season of How to Ruin Christmas: The Wedding, she also finished out her role as Gloria on Isibaya. 

You can find Mosimane on Instagram @clementine_mosimane and Twitter @LadyClemza.

Sandile Mahlangu as Sbu Twala 

Sandile Mahlangu, who plays Sbu Twala, Beauty’s groom, in How To Ruin Christmas is best known for starring in the sitcom Single Guys. He’s also appeared in the dramatic series Isithembiso and the crime thriller Shaft 6. 

You can find Mahlangu on Instagram @sandilem_ and Twitter @SandileM.

Motlatsi Mafatshe as Themba Twala 

With a résumé that spans more than 15 years in film and TV, Motlatsi Mafatshe has been featured in shows like Single Guys (alongside Sandile Mahlangu), Love Lives Here and Emoyeni. He’s perhaps most recognized for his role in the film State of Violence, in which he portrays Chappies. Most recently, Mafatshe took on the role of Trevor in the TV movie One Night kwa Mxolisi. 

You can find Mafatshe on Instagram @tlatsi83 and Twitter @Tlatsi.

Lehlohonolo Saint Seseli as Vusi Twala

Prior to playing the image-conscious Vusi Twala, Lehlohonolo Saint Seseli appeared in the South African telenovela Keeping Score, in which he played Justice — a former boxing champion who opens a sports academy in an attempt to redeem himself.

You can find Saint Seseli  on Instagram @saintseseli.

Charmaine Mtinta as Valencia Twala 

Charmaine Mtinta had been acting for more than 20 years before assuming the role of Valencia Twala, Sbu’s elitist mother. She previously appeared in the TV series Yizo Yizo, Matatiele and Hope. Just before joining the cast of How to Ruin Christmas, she portrayed Mam Lili on Isono. 

Swankie Mafoko as Lydia Twala 

Swankie Mafoko is a relatively new face in the acting world. Prior to How to Ruin Christmas, her lone role was in the dramatic 2020 short Isambulo.

You can find Mafoko on Instagram @swankiemafoko and Twitter @SwankieMafoko.

Lethabo Bereng as Cousin Bokang 

Another newcomer to South African TV, Lethabo Bereng has gained attention for featured roles in shows like Mamello, Generations the Legacy, Lithapo and MTV Shuga: Down South before landing her Netflix debut as Cousin Bokang.

You can find Bereng on Instagram @lethabo_b and Twitter @Lethabo_B.

Desmond Dube as Uncle Shadrack

Desmond Dube, or Uncle Shadrack, as we’ve come to know him on How To Ruin Christmas, has appeared in a variety of roles over the years, with TV movies like Black Velvet Band and Joburg Blues, as well as a role in the Oscar-nominated Hotel Rwanda under his belt. 

You can find Dube on Instagram @desmond.dube and Twitter @Dubetv.

Rami Chuene as Aunt Grace 

Rami Chuene has appeared in several TV series in a similar vein to How To Ruin Christmas, including Strike Back, Isono, and Scandal. In addition to TV, she’s taken on roles in features like Happiness Is a Four-letter Word and Life, Above All, and she’s made a name for herself  as an accomplished singer. 

You can find Chuene on Instagram @ramichuene and Twitter @ramichuene.

Keketso Semoko as Aunt Moipone 

Keketso Semoko is a 20-year acting veteran whose projects go back to the ’90s. Before playing Aunt Moipone, she was best known for starring in the South African soap opera Isidingo from 1998 to 2014. She also appeared in the series Wild at Heart and The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.

Nandi Nyembe as Gogo Twala

Nandi Nyembe is an acting legend whose credits date back more than 35 years. She makes her mark on the How to Ruin Christmas franchise in the role of Gogo Twala. Her track record includes hard-hitting roles in the sports drama Zone 14 and in series like Soul City and Reyka. You can also catch Nyembe in the searing dramatic feature State of Violence. 

You can find Nyembe on Instagram @nandinyembe.

Dippy Padi as Thando

A newcomer to the small screen, taking on the role of Thando, Dippy Padi is a singer-songwriter who has also appeared in shows like Muvhango, Imposter and Single Galz 2. Although it only lasts for a few seconds, she briefly flaunts her singing chops via a Zulu wedding song, in Episode 1 of the series.

You can find Padi on Instagram @Ms_Dippy and Twitter @Ms_Dippy.

Trevor Gumbi as Siya Twala 

Trevor Gumbi is a comedian-actor who, in addition to taking on shows like Rockville and Slay, hosted Headline, the Mzansi Magic entertainment magazine show, from 2010-2013. 

You can find Gumbi on Instagram @trevorgumbi and Twitter @trevorgumbi.

Kagiso Rathebe as Terrence 

Over the last seven years, Kagiso Rathebe has appeared in shows like Keeping Score, Noughts + Crosses, Spoorloos, Scandal!, Generations, Igazi and more, dating back to 2014. 

You can find Rathebe on Instagram @kagisorathebe.

Owen Sejake as Bab'Mkhize 

Owen Sejake is an industry vet, appearing in movies dating back to the mid ’80s. Over a nearly 35-year span in the South African acting world, Sejake’s credits include films like Shot Down, Hijack Stories and numerous TV series, including Agent and Gold Diggers. 

Seputla Sebogodi as Edmund 

Seputla Sebogodi is a singer-actor with more than 30 years of experience to his name. He’s appeared in shows like Generations and Scandal! and feature films including Critical Assignment and The Republic. 

You can find Sebogodi on Instagram @seputlasebogodi and Twitter @SeputlaS

Mamotsumi Nkosi as Lulu

Another newer face, Mamotsumi Nkosi plays the role of Lulu, Khaya’s 13-year-old daughter who Tumi just found out about. Nkosi previously had a role in The Rand Easter Show’s House of Horrors  theatre experience. 

Thembi Nyandeni as Prudence

Thembi Nyandeni has been acting for close to 40 years, picking up roles in TV shows Isibaya and appearing in movies like A Reasonable Man and The Two of Us. 

You can find Nyandeni on Instagram @therealmkabayi