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).
[3] Panagio was born in Pretoria to an immigrant Greek father, from Elis and an Afrikaans mother, Loorita (Lulu) Van Niewenhuizen.
[4] He spent part of his childhood in Kroonstad in the Free State and attended Pretoria Boys High School.
[3][5] After his service ended, Panagio was part of South Africa's burgeoning club scene, frequenting underground parties with prohibited international music and deep house.
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.
[8] He later starred as Jacques de Bruyn in the Boland-set soap opera, Vallei van Sluiers (2010-2015) on kykNET.
[12] The following year, he appeared in the television comedy film, Yes We Can, for Arte, the European public service channel.
[17] 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.
[19] Panagion made his film debut in 2010, appearing alongside singer, Karen Zoid, in the musical drama, Susanna van Biljon.
Panagio stars as Jean, an Afrikaner, about to embark on a Interfaith marriage with a Jewish woman, Sheryl (Casey B Dolan).
[29][30][31] In the same year, Panagio starred in the Afrikaans romance drama, Vrou soek boer with Bok van Blerk and Lika Berning.
[35] In South Africa, he also interviewed both local and visiting celebrity figures alike such as Anneline Kriel and Terry Crews.
[48] He co-owns the company Trade Revolution (Pty) Ltd.,[49] and is chairman of the non-profit organisation Missing Children SA.