Kudi Maradzika on ‘Bad Influencer’ and the Rise of African Stories on Netflix

The Story⚡

Zimbabwean–South African storyteller Kudi Maradzika brings African narratives to the global stage with Bad Influencer, her new Netflix Original debuting this October.

Tell Me More

Kudi Maradzika is a Zimbabwean–South African storyteller whose work bridges continents and mediums. A screenwriter, director, producer, and performer, her creative vision has appeared on Netflix, Showmax, Amazon Prime, MTV, and Comedy Central, earning her accolades from the Africa Movie Academy Awards to the SAFTAs and the Promax Global Awards. As the founder of Lincoln Green Media, she is championing a new era of African agency in storytelling through projects that span film, television, comics, and digital platforms. Her latest creation, Bad Influencer — a Netflix Original crime dramedy set in Johannesburg’s high-stakes influencer culture — marks another milestone in a career defined by innovation, collaboration, and an unyielding belief in the power of African stories to travel the world.

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What inspired the creation of Bad Influencer, and how long did the development process take?

I used to be an influencer at some point in my life, and when the Realness Episodic Lab made the call for TV show ideas, I brainstormed an idea and sent it. I’ve also worked in television for many years as a development executive at Paramount, so I had a fair idea of what audiences liked.

Your company, Lincoln Green, developed the show. Walk us through how the show got greenlit on Netflix and also with local production partners.

From greenlight, I looked for and onboarded a writing talent. The development process took 18 months. Following this, I partnered with Gambit Films. We worked closely together to bring what was on paper to screen, from casting to production to post. It was a thoroughly collaborative process.

How did you ensure your original vision stayed intact, even though it is a show pushed to global audiences?

As mentioned, I worked as a development executive for some years before making this show and one thing I learned is how to curate tastes for a larger audience. Give the people what they want! People want fun and excitement with great story arcs at their core. It was easier to create a vision with this in mind from the beginning.

The show tackles survival, power, and social media. How did you balance social commentary, African values, and entertainment?

I did this by grounding the story in relatable characters with clear motivations. So it’s not commentary for commentary’s sake or entertainment for entertainment’s sake. The show is saying something. Moreover, the show isn’t passing judgement. It’s humanizing the world of social media and the people who occupy this world.

You often talk about African agency in storytelling. How does Bad Influencer reflect that philosophy?

It’s a story written by Africans, produced by Africans for an African audience. By design, the show enforced African agency in its production philosophy.

What key lessons from your journey as a filmmaker shaped how you led the Bad Influencer creative team?

Collaboration is key in every facet, as well as trusting your gut in making creative calls.

With Season 2 already anticipated, how do you see Lincoln Green Media shaping Africa’s screen storytelling future?

I have a slate of films and more television shows in development. I hope my company can grow to be the next Shondaland, bringing fresh content and stories to screens and reimagining what’s possible story-wise.

Moreover, I am passionate about stories that have transmedia potential and have a comic book coming out titled “Artemis Elixa” to be distributed by a well-known comic book digital platform in Africa (I can’t say who just yet). I hope to then turn “Artemis Elixa” into a video game, then into an animation over the next few years. Further to this, I am passionate about helping young African creatives develop and scale their IPs, which I do through consulting work with another brain-child of mine called UKO.

What do you do when not working?

I feel I’m always working, but I am currently re-learning how to play the violin after stopping in high school. It’s like learning a new language. I am also a voice-over artist and actress. So, if I’m not writing, I’m in a studio or on a set.

Do share some references that were used to create and develop the show.

I can’t do that yet without ruining the surprise of the show, but what I can say is that it’s a crime dramedy with a fresh African twist. So, expect drama, pace, excitement and some humor.

In this series, which character do you think will be the audience’s favourite?

The characters all have a unique and strong voice. The dialogue was written specifically to reflect this. I think the audience will like them all, honestly.

Can you share what the next title you are currently working on is?

I’m in late development for my debut feature ‘Death and Its Friends,’ which was selected for this year’s Locarno Open Doors. I just finished the script for this, and I’m very excited to start pre-production. This will be the first feature I direct.

What are your predictions about African stories for the next 5 years?

Bigger, bolder, and better.

In Summary

Bad Influencer is a seven-part crime drama created and written by Kudi Maradzika, alongside Daniel Zimbler and Sydney Dire, and executive produced by Maradzika through her production company, Lincoln Green Media. Directed by Keitumetse Qhali and Ari Kruger, and produced by Gambit Films, the series marks the first scripted project to emerge from Netflix’s partnership with the Realness Institute’s Episodic Lab. Bad Influencer premieres globally on Netflix on October 31, 2025.