Crystal Donna Roberts

Crystal-Donna Roberts (13 October 1984 – 6 March 2025) was a South African actress, presenter and writer. Her films included The Endless River and Krotoa (2017).

Life and career Roberts spent her early childhood in Cape Town, living in Bonteheuwel, Kensington, and Factreton. She completed her secondary education in Bloemfontein. She went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Theatre from the University of the Free State in 2005. A year later, she moved back to Cape Town where she briefly worked as a high-school drama teacher before pursuing acting as a career.

Roberts died from breast cancer in Cape Town, on 6 March 2025, at the age of 40.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes 2010 The Incredible Adventures of Hanna Hoekom Sharon 2011 The Italian Consul Mary 2011 Skeem Pearl 2012 Chronicle Samantha 2015 The Endless River Tiny Solomons 2016 Tussen as en hoop Olivia 2017 Krotoa Krotoa 2017 The Number Bridget 2018 Our Albertinia Inge Abrahams Short film 2018 Benjamin Chantelle September Short film 2019 Liewe Lisa Lara 2019 Griekwastad Tracey 2024 What If Valerie van Wyk Short film 2024 Mr Isaacs Dr Jolene Fortuin Short film

Television Year Title Role Notes 2009 Montana Bijou Season 1 2010–2014 Vallei van Sluiers Charmaine Willemse Main role 2012 Vloeksteen Ina Uys Season 1 2013 Die Boland Moorde Elmarie Season 1 2016 Die Byl Evelyn Season 1 2008 Mense Mense Liesel Klein Main role 2018 Fine Print Thandi Main role (season 1) 2018–2024 Arendsvlei Janice Cupido Main role 2019 Die Spreeus Jenny Episode: "Shaun Vink" 2020 Projek Dina Bonita 2020 Kompleks Lucy 1 episode 2021 Swartwater Ava Ebrahim Season 3 2021 Asseblief & Dankie Cassi Television film 2022 Grootste Treffers Quickstix Television film 2022–2023 Fraksie Chantel 17 episodes

Stage

Year Title Role Notes 2009 Romeo & Juliet: Unplugged Juliet Artscape Theatre Centre, Cape Town 2013 Bidsprinkaan Katryn Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees, Oudtshoorn 2014 Rondomskrik Various Baxter Theatre Centre, Cape Town 2015 Siener in die Suburbs Tiemie Aardklop, Potchefstroom

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref 2015 Venice International Film Festival Best Actress The Endless River 2018 South African Film and Television Awards Best Actress – Film Krotoa 2020 Best Actress – Telenovela Arendsvlei 2021