Hollywood Stars Rave About Cape Town as The Fix Premieres on Halloween
Cape Town continues to charm Hollywood as Grace van Dien and Daniel Sharman, both stars of the Showmax Original The Fix, praise the city’s beauty, people, and culture while celebrating the film’s Halloween premiere. Known for her role as Chrissy in Stranger Things 4, Grace van Dien filmed The Fix in Cape Town and describes the experience as unforgettable.
“I love Cape Town; what a beautiful place to call home while filming,”.
she shares
“This was the kindest set I’ve ever been on in my life. I feel very lucky to have been surrounded by such a loving cast and crew.”
Grace, who ranks #212 on IMDb’s STARmeter, highlights South Africans’ kindness:
“We went dancing once, and my face hurt from how much I smiled that night.”
In addition to the welcoming vibe on set, Grace couldn’t resist Cape Town’s nightlife, adding,
Set in a dystopian, toxic future Cape Town, The Fix follows Grace’s character, Ella, a model whose life takes a dark twist after trying a new designer drug. The drug causes shocking transformations, and Ella’s mutations may hold the key to saving humanity. Grace’s co-star Daniel Sharman, known for roles in Fear The Walking Dead and Teen Wolf, echoes her love for Cape Town.
“I loved the crew, and I loved the biltong. On my days off, I did some travelling. The country was spectacular, especially the places that aren’t touristy and busy.”
he says, adding that the city’s light and locations made filming a unique experience
In The Fix, Daniel plays Eric O’Connors, chairman of the pharmaceutical giant Aethera, which sells an air-purifying cure only accessible to the wealthy.
“Eric’s a father and businessman with ferocious ambition and a strong moral code, despite his contradictions. I love characters with layers.”
His character’s moral struggles intrigued him:
The allure of Cape Town wasn’t the only draw; both actors admired The Fix writer-director Kelsey Egan. Known for her work on Glasshouse, Egan impressed the cast with her creative ambition.
“She takes big swings and commits to the worlds she creates. The Fix was written before Covid-19, yet it’s hauntingly timely. Kelsey asks big questions about human nature, which makes this story resonate.”
says Daniel
Grace agrees, lauding Egan’s commitment to her vision and her deep understanding of sci-fi storytelling.
“Years ago, when I first signed with my manager, he asked me what kind of roles I wanted, and I said, ‘Sci-fi. That’s all I want to do.’ When The Fix came around with an incredible heroine at the helm, I knew I had to be part of it.”
Despite her soft-spoken personality, Grace relished portraying Ella’s boldness.
“Ella is unapologetic, wearing her heart on her sleeve, even if it’s loud and angry. I loved bringing that to life.”
She’s quick to credit the local stunt team, led by Gideon Van Schoor (Raised by Wolves), for choreographing her character’s intense fight scenes:
“Ella’s a badass, thanks to the incredible people who designed her movements.”
The film, which opened MIPAfrica and closed Chattanooga Film Festival with a Dangerous Visions Award, also features Hollywood’s Clancy Brown (John Wick 4, The Penguin) alongside local stars like SAFTA nominee Keenan Arrison (Binnelanders), Nicole Fortuin (Alles Malan), and Young Artist Award winner Caleb Payne (The Kissing Booth, Warrior).
After The Fix premieres on Showmax this Halloween, the sci-fi/action thriller will have a global release in select territories on 22 November 2024 through Gravitas Ventures.
Would Grace and Daniel return to Cape Town? Both answered enthusiastically. “Absolutely,” says Daniel.
“There are some great filmmakers in Africa. I’d love to shoot all over the continent if I could.”
“Of course. In a heartbeat.”
Grace nods, saying,
Cape Town’s allure as a world-class film location shines brighter than ever, with The Fix proving that the city can captivate Hollywood stars just as much as global audiences.
