After months of auditions across the continent, BET has identified the 12 potential heart-throb heroes and leading ladies from South, East and West Africa who’ll be gracing our TV screens in Top Actor Africa from February 2016.

Hoping to see their names in lights are South Africans Shamilla Miller from Cape Town, Farrell Drew from Durban and Marilyn Sekgapane, Jesse Suntele, Hendrik Lombard, Simhle Belinda Plaatjies and Sabelo Sibeko from Johannesburg.

Representing Nigeria are Tobechi Nneji, Uriel Oputa and Ifeanyi Dike, while flying the flag for Kenya are Lorreine Wangui Gakuo and Alexander Eliab Khainga.

The contestants will be eager to follow in the footsteps of last season’s winner, Altovise Lawrence, who is currently in the US shooting her first Hollywood feature, The Other Side opposite Brad James and Erica Hubbard. The film is due for theatrical release in 2016.

Top Actor Africa will test the actors to their limits over nine challenges, taking them through every genre from Improv to Comedy, Theatre, Soapie, Commercial, Romance, Horror, Drama and Action. Along the way they will work with Hollywood and local industry experts, including celebrity actors, casting agents, directors, producers, managers, and writers as they fight to stay in the competition and keep their acting dreams alive.

Competing for the title of Top Actor Africa, at stake is a career-launching prize including US$10 000 in cash, a one-year contract with international representation and access to Hollywood auditions.

Alex Okosi, senior vice president and managing director at Viacom International Media Networks Africa, says; “Our congratulations and best wishes to all the contestants who have made the final cut in Top Actor Africa. We are thrilled to have developed this powerful and proven platform for discovering and empowering African acting talent, and we look forward to seeing the drama unfold in season two.”

Samad Davis, creator and executive producer for Top Actor, says; “This show is truly a door-opener for aspiring actors. Last year’s winner went from being a student fresh out of drama school to having a regular presenting job on TV (in BET Buzz) to appearing in an American feature film alongside Hollywood notables in just a few months.”

Hosted by South African movie star Zikhona Sodlaka (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and Generations), the first season was won by South African drama student Altovise Lawrence, an increasingly popular figure on BET itself, where she now hosts an entertainment news show, BET Buzz.

Top Actor Africa will premiere across Africa on BET – DStv Premium, channel 129 – in February 2016.

For more information, visit www.betafrica.tv. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.