Nicolaos Panagiotopoulos (; born 25 August 1973), professionally known as Nico Panagio, is a South African film, television and stage actor and television presenter.
He landed a breakout role in 2001, playing George Kyriakis for five years in the SABC2 soap opera, 7de Laan (2001-2006). He has since starred in television dramas and soaps such as Vallei van Sluiers (2010-2015) on kykNET, Legacy (2021) on M-Net and Straat (2023–present) on KykNET.
He has also starred in a number of successful South African romantic comedy films such as Semi-Soet (2012), for which he was nominated for Best Actor at the 2013 SAFTAs, and Konfetti (2014).
He is also known for being the host of Survivor South Africa (2010–present) and as a previous presenter on Top Billing (2007-2013).
Early life Panagio was born in Pretoria to an immigrant Greek father, from Elis and an Afrikaans mother, Loorita (Lulu) Van Niewenhuizen. His father owned a petrol station and his mother was an Afrikaans teacher at a primary school.The lowdown on George IOL. 23 June 2004 He spent part of his childhood in Kroonstad in the Free State and attended Pretoria Boys High School. In Grade 7, he landed a role in a production of The King and I at Pretoria State Theatre.
In 1991, he undertook military service in the South African Navy, a year after the South African Border War had ended. He became Captain of his Division, ranked Able seaman. After his service ended, Panagio was part of South Africa's burgeoning club scene, frequenting underground parties with prohibited international music and deep house. He studied business management and worked as a manager in a chemical company for five years. In Cape Town, he also worked for an advertising agency. He relocated to Johannesburg to pursue an acting career.
Career Prior to taking on screen roles, Panagio was a theatre actor.
Television acting roles After graduating from the Method Actor's Training Centre, he went on to play minor roles in Egoli and Generations. This preceded his taking up of a contract with 7de Laan on SABC2 in 2001, in which he played Greek businessman George Kyriakis for five years.Time for Nico to slip into another's skin IOL. 18 September 2006 The part was written specifically for Panagio. In 2008, he starred in the M-Net mini-series, Ella Blue. The series is set in 1961, during the apartheid era and deals with the impact on a small Cape fishing village when a census official arrives to classify the residents according to their skin colour.Ella Blue TVSA. Retrieved on 19 October 2024
He later starred as Jacques de Bruyn in the Boland-set soap opera, Vallei van Sluiers (2010-2015) on kykNET.kykNET goes global with ShowMax IOL. 10 December 2015Vallei van Sluiers IMDB. Retrieved on 18 October 2024Vallei van Sluiers weer op kassie Huisgenoot. 31 January 2014 In 2011, he appeared in a storyline in the M-Net soap opera, The Wild. He played Jason Parker, the "millionaire playboy" boyfriend of Zoe.Nico’s just wild for soaps IOL. 28 November 2011 The following year, he appeared in the television comedy film, Yes We Can, for Arte, the European public service channel.Yes We Can IMDB. Retrieved on 19 October 2024
In 2019, he co-starred with Sandra Prinsloo in Die Testament, South Africa's first online soapie. The series consisting of 65 5 minute episodes, released a new episode each day upon its release on 2 September behind a paywall on Netwerk 24.SA's first online Afrikaans soapie features an A-list cast News24. 30 July 2019 In 2021, Panagio began starring in the telenovela, Legacy. He played detective Marco Andino in the M-Net show's second season.Nico Panagio says his broody character in Legacy 'steps into Felicity's life when she least expects' News24. 6 October 2021Nico Panagio brings charm and eye candy to ‘Legacy’ season two The Citizen. 11 October 2021
In 2023, he began starring in the kykNET drama series, Straat, playing IT guru, Robert Muller.Nico Panagio stars in new kykNET drama series The Sunday Tribune. 16 October 2023
He has also had small roles in international TV dramas, appearing as Captain Giannis in an episode of 1923 on Paramount+, starring Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford in scenes shot in Kalk Bay.1923 takes Yellowstone to Africa Showmax. 16 October 2023 In 2024, he appeared in two episodes of the four-part first season, Kostas for Italy's public broadcaster, Rai 1. In the Greece-set crime drama, an adaptation from writer, Petros Markaris, Panagio plays a cop.Rai 1's New Crime Drama 'Kostas' Premieres Tonight Il Messaggero. 12 September 2024
Film Panagion made his film debut in 2010, appearing alongside singer, Karen Zoid, in the musical drama, Susanna van Biljon.Movie review: Susanna van Biljon IOL. 27 September 2010
Panagio was nominated for Best Actor at the 2013 SAFTAs for his role in the Afrikaans romantic comedy film, Semi-Soet.2013 SAFTA nominees: The movies News24. 14 February 2023 The film was both a critical and commercial success in South Africa.Semi-Soet shakes up SA box office | Life News 24. 14 March 2012Semi-Soet adds sugar to SA box office News24. 27 February 2012South African cinema: Bums on seats, at last? The Mail & Guardian. 18 May 2012Perky rom-com Semi-Soet Biz Community. 23 February 2012Semi-Soet a hit at the box office Litnet. 20 February 2012
In 2014, Panagio starred in the Afrikaans romantic comedy, Konfetti. Panagio stars as Jean, an Afrikaner, about to embark on a Interfaith marriage with a Jewish woman, Sheryl (Casey B Dolan).Konfetti News24. 11 April 2014MOVIE REVIEW: Konfetti Iol. 17 April 2014 The film was one of the top performing local films at the box office in 2014.Love, laughter at Afrikaans box office IOL. 17 April 2015Boere rand makes its power felt as Afrikaans films top local charts TimesLIVE. 17 August 2014BOX OFFICE REPORT: SOUTH AFRICA National Film and Video Foundation - South Africa. Retrieved on 18 October 2024 In the same year, Panagio starred in the Afrikaans romance drama, Vrou soek boer with Bok van Blerk and Lika Berning. The film also performed well at the South African box office, as the fourth top performer among local films in 2014.Vrou soek boer News24. 28 February 2014
In 2017, Panagio starred in the Afrikaans crime comedy film, Vuil Wasgoed. The film was a commercial success, and the second top performing local film of the year at the box office.South Africa's Box Office Report (January-December 2017) National Film and Video Foundation - South Africa. Retrieved on 18 October 2024
Most recently, Panagio completed filming Semi-Soeter, a sequel to Semi-Soet, with Panagio reprising his role as JP Basson. The film will be released on Netflix on 20 June 2025.Vollmer, Bernelee (28 May 2025). WATCH: From 'Semi-Soet' to 'Semi-Soeter': get ready for the sequel to SA's beloved romcom IOL. Retrieved on 18 June 2025
Television presenter He joined SABC3's magazine show Top Billing, as a presenter in 2007.Top Billing Past Presenter Nico Panagio YouTube. 27 June 2012 As well as his appearances in South Africa, he also traveled on foreign assignments for the show. In 2009 he traveled to the Cannes Film Festival in France, where he interviewed Paris Hilton.Celebs line up to trace their roots IOL. 28 March 2009 In South Africa, he also interviewed both local and visiting celebrity figures alike such as Anneline Kriel and Terry Crews.Anneline Kriel and Family ( Top Billing ) YouTube. Accessed on 15 September 2023Top Billing interviews Terry Crews (FULL INSERT) YouTube. 2013 He also briefly interviewed Matt Damon and Richard Branson among others on the red carpet.
He has hosted the M-Net reality series Survivor South Africa since the third season in 2010.Nico Panagio on hosting #SurvivorSA: 'I immerse myself in the game' IOL. 17 May 2019 The most recent season aired in 2022. Production is currently on hold for a new season, due to the high production costs, as Survivor is one of the most expensive shows in the country.
Additional work Panagio appears in a number of promotional videos for brands such as Asus, Samsung and Toyota.Nico Pangio explores the all-new Hilux Legend YouTube. 2021 In 2016, he became a Gold Ambassador for Nescafé and also appears in promotional videos for Nespresso.Introducing our NESCAFÉ Gold Ambassador @NicoPanagio Well-known South African actor and TV Presenter. 💫 X. 19 July 2016Nico Panagio reel Instagram. May 2024
In 2024, Panagio will launch his new podcast Tip of the Iceberg, which deals with human trafficking in South Africa.
As of 2024, Panagio has also been writing a new theatrical play.
Personal life He has been married to the Afrikaans actress and model, Christi Panagio (née Botha), since 2006.Happy 2000th episode, 7de Laan IOL. 9 July 2009Christi and Nico Panagio celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary: 'Home is wherever you are' News24. 18 March 2020 They previously met at drama school and later co-starred in 7de Laan.Nico Panagio: the soap opera years YouTube. 2018 The couple have two adoptive children, Eva and Shay.Nico Panagio says God told him to adopt kids News24. 2 May 2014 Panagio and his wife are Christians, with Nico identifying with spirituality since the age of 12.RCFM24 Session 4 | Leading Fathers | Nico Panagio YouTube. 18 June 2024The Ice Cream Interview : Nico Panagio YouTube. 12 July 2024
Until 2024, he was the chairman of My Father’s House, a community food kitchen in Simon's Town. Since 2020, the organisation cooked meals for destitute locals and vulnerable families. Their operations have now been taken over by CRC Cares, an arm of the Christian Revival Church based in False Bay.New management for My Father’s House False Bay Echo. 2 May 2024
In 2023, he criticised increasing grocery prices at retailer, Woolworths South Africa.Woolworths responds after Nico Panagio calls out the popular retailer over prices News24. 4 January 2023
He co-owns the company Trade Revolution (Pty) Ltd., and is chairman of the non-profit organisation Missing Children SA.
Filmography
Television
Year Title Role Notes2001-20067de LaanGeorge Kyriakis Series regular2005-2008Zone 14Mr Big2008Ella BlueGabriel "Bok" Bockelman2010-2015Vallei van SluiersJacques de BruynSeries regular2011The WildJason Parker2012Yes We CanTakiTelevision film for Arte2019Die TestamentBastian WeyersSeries regular2021LegacyDetective Marco Andino51 episodes20231923Yiannis 1 episode2023–presentStraatRobert Muller Series regular2024KostasPolice officer2 episodes
Film
Year Title Role2010Susanna van BiljonMax Joubert2012Semi-SoetJP Basson2014Vrou Soek BoerNeil2014KonfettiJean2016The CEORiikard2017Vuil Wasgoed2025 Semi-SoeterJP Basson
Presenter
Year Title Role Notes2007-2013 Top BillingHimself - presenter 2010–2022Survivor South AfricaHimself - Host2021Miss South Africa 2021Himself - Host2024Mister Supranational 2024 Miss Supranational 2024Himself- Host
References
External links