The Story⚡
South African telenovela The Four of Us has secured a Netflix streaming home before its television debut, launching simultaneously on the global platform and free-to-air channel e.tv on June 29.
Tell Me More
The Four of Us, a new telenovela produced by Tshedza Pictures, premieres on June 29, 2026, and will be available simultaneously on e.tv and Netflix. This arrangement allows viewers in South Africa to watch it for free on linear television while international audiences gain immediate access through the streaming service. Episodes air daily on e.tv at 8:00 PM, with Netflix releases following shortly after.
The series replaces “Scandal!,” which ran for 23 years on e.tv, in the prime 8 PM weekday slot. It forms part of the channel’s new primetime drama block. Tshedza Pictures, founded by Phathutshedzo Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon, is making its first telenovela for e.tv after building a strong track record with different shows.
The story centers on the Dhlomo family, an influential household whose members are bound by blood but divided by ambition, legacy, and long-standing resentments. The tagline “Family by birth. Rivals by choice” captures the central conflict. The narrative begins with the reading of a will, triggering battles over power, a luxury car empire, inheritance, loyalty, and control. Themes of betrayal, business rivalries, romance, and personal sacrifice drive the 22- to 24-minute weekday episodes, delivered in English, Zulu, and Pedi.
Key cast members include Sindi Dlathu as Busani Dhlomo, the eldest sibling shouldering family responsibilities; Sdumo Mtshali as Bobbi Dhlomo, a charismatic and ambitious brother seeking recognition; Thembinkosi Mthembu as Banzi Dhlomo, the middle sibling searching for validation; and Kealeboga Masango as the youngest sibling dealing with grief. Supporting roles feature Rami Chuene as Vera, Dumisani Dlamini as Papi, Sibongile Nojila as the family matriarch Masechaba Dhlomo, and others including Hope Mbhele, Nthabiseng Kgosana, and Scelo Buthelezi.
Netflix Acquisition and Global Context
Netflix acquired the series ahead of its television premiere, enabling a rare simultaneous rollout. This marks the first time Netflix is streaming a South African series day-and-date with a free-to-air broadcaster in this manner. The model echoes arrangements in the local industry where content premieres on a streaming service such as Showmax and later (or concurrently in some cases) airs on linear channels like African Magic, combining broad accessibility with global distribution. This dual-platform strategy addresses South Africa’s diverse audience needs, free-to-air for wide local reach and streaming for international viewers and additional revenue.
This builds on the growing presence of South African dramas on the platform, including titles such as Blood & Water, Unseen, Fatal Seduction, and The Polygamist. The latter, which also featured Sdumo Mtshali, achieved strong international performance in 2026, reaching high positions in multiple countries.
Sdumo Mtshali’s Rising Profile Across Netflix Projects
Sdumo Mtshali stars as Bobbi Dhlomo in The Four of Us shortly after delivering a standout performance as Jonasi Gomora in Netflix’s “The Polygamist” earlier in 2026. His portrayal of the complex, self-made businessman in “The Polygamist” drew strong audience reactions and contributed to the series’ global visibility. With both productions now available on Netflix, Mtshali’s involvement is expected to help attract viewers familiar with his work to the new telenovela.
South African Storytelling Gains Global Reach Through Netflix
Several South African productions have established a notable presence on Netflix in recent years, demonstrating growing international interest in stories from the region.
Blood & Water follows a Cape Town teenager who investigates whether an elite school swimmer is her long-lost sister abducted at birth. The teen drama blends family secrets, mystery, and high school life. It has run for multiple seasons and remains one of Netflix’s prominent African original series, attracting consistent viewership across Africa and beyond.
Fatal Seduction is a thriller centered on a married professor drawn into a passionate affair that exposes layers of betrayal and tragedy within her circle. Set in Cape Town, the series combines suspense, drama, and intimate storytelling. It has returned for multiple seasons, building a dedicated audience drawn to its twists and character-driven narrative.
The Polygamist tells the story of a social media influencer whose seemingly perfect marriage unravels amid revelations of her husband’s multiple relationships. The 22-episode telenovela, starring Gugu Gumede and Sdumo Mtshali, debuted strongly with 19.1 million viewing hours in its first week, ranking No. 2 on Netflix’s global non-English chart with 7.7 million views and 74.3 million viewing hours. It previously reached No. 3 globally, topped charts in 16 countries, and entered the top 10 in 63 countries including the United States.
Unseen is a South African thriller series that explores themes of disappearance, crime, and hidden truths in a contemporary setting. It has contributed to the wave of gripping South African narratives on the platform, earning attention for its tense storytelling and local production quality.
These titles illustrate how Netflix has supported South African content that resonates locally while finding audiences worldwide.
In Summary
The Four of Us premieres today on e.tv and Netflix, offering a fresh family saga from one of South Africa’s most successful production houses. Viewers can follow the Dhlomo family’s unfolding conflicts on either platform over the coming weeks.
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