The Story ⚡
Netflix has offered an exclusive first look at some of its upcoming programming from South Africa, along with a selection of global titles scheduled for release leading to the festive season and the end of 2024.
Netflix’s VP of Content for the Middle East and Africa, Ben Amadasun, unveiled the diverse slate of upcoming titles at MIP Africa, showcasing Netflix’s ongoing commitment to delivering authentic local stories from South Africa across a variety of formats and genres.
A sneak peek of the upcoming titles showcased at the event include:
BRAND-NEW LOCAL SERIES:
- Blood Legacy – From Gambit Films, the creators of our popular series Blood & Water and Unseen, comes a new drama series making its debut on Netflix on 20 September 2024. The story delves into the world of Spear Industries – a Multimillion-rand corporation as it embarks on the search for a new CEO after the patriarch, Bheki Ndlovu (Treasure Nkosi) is unexpectedly murdered on the family property. Needless to say, family conflicts ensue as the Siblings, Khanyi Adesina (Xolile Tshabalala), Mandla Ndlovu (Buyile Mdladla and Siya Ndlovu (Mike Ndlangamandla) navigate the murky waters of deadly corruption, family secrets and the mounting pressures of the Spear legacy. This nail-biting drama stars incredible South African actors, the late Connie Chiume, Sello Maake ka-Ncube, and Pallance Dladla as well as budding stars Wiseman Zitha and Unathi Mkhize.
- New Announcement: Love Never Lies: South Africa – The South African edition of the international reality show produced by Rapid Blue will focus on six couples who must test their trust with an eye-scanning lie detector. In this reality series, deception costs money, and the truth comes with a prize. The truth will be revealed with episodes available on Netflix from 29 November 2024.
FEATURE FILMS:
- Happiness Is – First there was Happiness is a 4 Letter Word, then came Happiness Ever After coming to Netflix on 18 October 2024, the happiness continues with the release of Happiness Is – where the new film in this romantic comedy franchise continues the story of a group of friends who will be forced to face the weaknesses in each other and their bond. Will they succeed in being happy for each other and overcome the struggle to find happiness in themselves? Produced by Blingola Media and a women-led production team, the film is produced by an all-female-led producer team that includes Lesedi Siswana, with Bongiwe Selane serving as Creative and Executive Producer.
- Umjolo – coming from Stained Glass TV, producers of some of the most watched shows in South Africa, comes a 4-part anthology of feature films under the name banner, Umjolo, that will launch every month until February 2025. The first film, Umjolo: The Gone Girl, directed by Fikile “Mr Fiks” Mogodi, tells the story of a young woman with the perfect boyfriend, loving, supportive, attentive and attractive. When she gets engaged to him, she is on top of the world, until a doctor’s appointment changes everything. Produced by the Stained Glass TV team, Pepsi Pokane, Nokuthula Zuma and Gugu Zuma-Ncube (executive producer), Umjolo: The Gone Girl is set to thrill audiences when it lands on Netflix on 8 November 2024.
- Disaster Holiday – The holiday season will not be complete without a fun-filled and hilarious offering from Burnt Onion Productions – the creators of hit Netflix titles How to Ruin Christmas, How to Ruin Love, Lobola Man and Seriously Single. This holiday season, the Ramaphakela siblings will bring fans a brand-new film, Disaster Holiday, which tells the story of a career-driven workaholic, who sets out to prove he is a perfect father and husband by taking his dysfunctional family on an impromptu holiday. Directed by Rethabile Ramaphakela in her second directorial role for a feature film, the holiday hilarity will commence on Netflix on 13 December 2024.
