Out and Proud Actor Henri Strauss Wows “Diepe Waters” Audience

Out and proud South African actor, model, and producer Henri Strauss is making waves in his role as Chris van Staden in the Afrikaans soapie Diepe Waters, a performance he hopes will inspire young queer people.

Fans of the popular KykNet show have been glued to their screens in recent weeks as Chris came out to his father and opened up about his relationship with Brian.

Introduced to the Diepe Waters audience in December 2023 in the current second series, Strauss says the role is deeply personal and close to his heart, especially as the same-sex relationship unfolds.

“I am incredibly grateful to KykNet for giving me this opportunity to portray the role of Chris and for allowing me to interpret his journey in my own way, keeping Chris authentic,” says Henri.

Chris is a philosophy student in Stellenbosch, a deep thinker who loves poetry and esoteric novels. He quotes philosophers and questions the world around him without coming across as a know-it-all. He is kind, intelligent, sweet, and understanding.

The role has seen life imitating art. Henri was born in a small town in the North-West, raised by a loving grandmother and hardworking parents, while grappling with self-acceptance within his conservative Afrikaans Christian community.

“For gay kids like me, it’s difficult to grow up in a world that shows so much hate. But I want to take this moment to thank everyone who stands up for us,” says Henri.

His journey to our TV screens began with watching a powerful stage performance of Equus in 2014, which sparked his passion for performance and theatre.

Switching his major from BSc to Drama & Film (graduating with honours), he embarked on a journey that led him full circle to starring in a remake of the very play that ignited his passion.

After graduating, Henri taught drama to children and bartended at a gay club before working behind the scenes as a Production and Cast Coordinator on the KykNet reality programme Die Brug and 1st Assistant Director for Vetkoek Paleis 2.

Making his television acting debut in Diepe Waters with a character who challenges the same traditional Afrikaans norms he himself had to confront, Henri has captivated audiences with his compelling on-screen presence.

“With this new platform, I hope I can be an example for others who may feel just like I once did, so they can see that in this world, things can turn out okay,” he expresses.

To queer youngsters experiencing a similar environment to what he faced while growing up, he offers: “Don’t focus on the negative. Know that you don’t need to change for anyone. You deserve to be happy, just as you are.”

As for the future, he writes on his website: “From the shy boy in Hartbeespoort to the unapologetically queer individual I am today—I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I’m eagerly awaiting the next chapter.”

Catch Henri Strauss on Diepe Waters on KykNet (Channel 144 on DStv) daily from Monday to Thursday at 18:30. You can also hear his performance as one of the cast members of Stripped, an upcoming queer audio drama that tells the true story of Thomas Budge, a young gay man who defied conscription into the apartheid military.