Online Reporter
Bruce Ndlovu
FOR a young creative shaped by the cultural heartbeat of Bulawayo, the leap to one of the world’s biggest streaming platforms might seem improbable.
Yet for Daniel Lasker, that journey has unfolded with quiet inevitability — powered by vision, grit and an unshakeable belief in local storytelling.
His recent role in “One Piece”, one of Netflix’s most ambitious productions, has thrust him into the global spotlight, signalling the arrival of a new Zimbabwean voice on the international stage.
Lasker has previously played roles in works that include the Ridley Scott-produced HBO Max series “Raised by Wolves”, as well as “Noughts + Crosses” for BBC One, “Vagrant Queen” for Syfy and “Abraham Lincoln” on the History Channel.
Beyond acting, Lasker has branched out as a director and content creator.
In 2023, he made his feature directorial debut with the horror thriller “Hidden Within”, which he also co-wrote and starred in, alongside Tuks Tad Lungu and Roxanne Prentice.
“One Piece,” in which Lasker played Mr 9, scored an impressive Season 2 debut, becoming Netflix’s most-watched TV series of the week with 16,8 million views in its opening weekend.
The Season 2 debut was roughly on par with Season 1, which drew 18,5 million views in August 2023.
Season 1 also resurfaced in March 2024, ranking among the most-watched English-language TV series with 3,6 million views.
Season 2 shot to the top of Netflix’s weekly TV list, surpassing “The Dinosaurs” (narrated by Morgan Freeman, 9,6 million views), “Love Is Blind: The Reunion” (8,9 million views) and “Virgin River” Season 7 (7 million views).
For Tawanda Denga, a collaborator on one of Lasker’s boldest local projects, the signs of his talent were always clear.
The two worked together on “The Signal”, a ground-breaking sci-fi film performed entirely in isiNdebele — an unconventional choice that reflected Lasker’s creative philosophy.
“Being part of this production was very significant,” said Denga.
“Daniel approached me to play the protagonist and I was excited. Then he told me we would do the entire movie in isiNdebele. That was even more exciting because it pushed me out of my comfort zone. Any actor will tell you that is what we want.”
For Denga, who admits he is “not particularly proficient in any vernacular language”, the challenge was daunting yet exhilarating.
“I was being asked not to speak English,” he said.
“But being a Bulawayo boy, I wanted to make the best of it.”
The spirit that drove the making of “The Signal” — pushing creative boundaries and testing physical limits — came to define both the production and Lasker’s approach to filmmaking.
“The making of the movie was hectic,” Denga recalled.
“Daniel’s work ethic was mind-blowing. We shot for about two weeks and in that time, there was no sleep. Everyone — crew and actors alike — worked flat-out, doing 12-hour days.”
Despite the exhaustion and the challenges of filming under Covid-19 restrictions, the production revealed deeper truths about the craft.
As Lasker’s star continues to rise, Denga hopes Bulawayo’s filmmakers and directors took lasting lessons from the experience.
“I learnt that the film industry is not easy. People think acting is just ‘action’ and ‘cut,’ but there is so much more. That production showed me how we can be more creative with our surroundings,” he said.
It is precisely this ingenuity — the ability to stretch limited resources into compelling cinema — that many believe sets Lasker apart.
After the film’s release, he told The Sunday Mail Society that his ultimate desire was to inspire Bulawayo’s young film lovers.
“I want this film to inspire young Zimbabwean filmmakers and show them what is possible in our country when you put your heart into it and believe in yourself,” he said.
For Denga, the experience was transformative.
“To be very honest, that was life-changing,” he said. “It gave me perspective on how Zimbabwean film can grow and compete with productions of an international standard. I am not talking about competing with South Africa or Nigeria, but actual global productions — based on what I saw from the crew and how Daniel directed us.”
While the film shook up Bulawayo’s fledgling industry, Denga believes Lasker’s ambition — now propelling him steadily into Hollywood — must be matched by structural change within the local industry.
“In Bulawayo, now is the time to start congregating and creating some kind of formal structure,” Denga said.
“That can help producers and actors harness talent and create productions that can compete globally.”
For him, the way forward lies in bold reinvention.
“People need to be more creative now,” he said. “We cannot just keep making dramas. There is a place for dramas, but if we want to penetrate the international market, we need to innovate.
“We must tell our stories from our own perspective, but with a twist — because what the world wants are our unique stories.” This philosophy mirrors Lasker’s own journey — from experimental, language-driven storytelling in Zimbabwe to the expansive universe of “One Piece”.
As his star continues to rise, Lasker’s story is becoming more than just personal success.
It is a glimpse into what is possible when Zimbabwean creatives dare to think beyond borders while remaining firmly grounded in their identity.
“If we continue on the path we are on, guided by stars like Lasker, we are heading towards Zimbabwean film’s ultimate breakthroughs,” reckons Denga.
Bongani Ndlovu