Today Netflix 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 up 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 During 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 peak 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 the 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:
- New Announcement: Happiness Is – First there was Happiness is a 4 Letter Word, then came Happiness Ever After and 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.
- New Announcement: 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.
- New Announcement: 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.
Also highlighted were some highly-anticipated international titles that is sure to keep global audiences entertained as we reach the end of 2024 including:
- Spellbound – The upcoming animated feature film follows the adventures of Ellian, the tenacious young daughter of the rulers of Lumbria who must go on a daring quest to save her family and kingdom after a mysterious spell transforms her parents into monsters. Spellbound is directed by Vicky Jenson (Shrek) with original score from EGOT-winning composer Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast) and lyrics by Glenn Slater (Tangled). A Netflix Film from Skydance Animation, Spellbound boasts an all-star voice cast led by Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Nathan Lane, Tituss Burgess, With Javier Bardem, And Nicole Kidman. Spellbound is written by Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin and Julia Miranda and produced by John Lasseter, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Bruce Anderson and Linda Woolverton. The film launches on Netflix on 22 November 2022.
- That Christmas – Based on the charming trilogy of children’s books by beloved multi award-winning writer/director Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually, Yesterday), That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about family and friends, love and loneliness, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys! This heartwarming comedy from Locksmith Animation marks Curtis’ first foray into animation, serving as the film’s writer and executive producer, and also the feature directorial debut of renowned animation veteran Simon Otto (Love, Death & Robots, How to Train Your Dragon films). Nicole P. Hearon (Moana, Frozen) and Adam Tandy (The Thick of It, Detectorists) are producers. Coming to Netflix on 6 December 2024.
- Squid Game – The world’s biggest series returns. Squid Game tells the story of a group of desperate contestants who risk their lives to become the final winner in a mysterious extreme survival game with a 45.6 billion won cash prize. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who made history at the 74th Primetime Emmys® becoming the first Asian to win Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series, once again helms the series as director, writer, and producer. Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-jun, and Gong Yoo reprise their roles from Season 1 with an impeccable list of new cast members including Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Lee Jin-uk, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Choi Seung-hyun, Roh Jae-won, Jo Yuri, and Won Ji-an rounding out the ensemble of colourful characters in the new season, which streams only on Netflix from 26 December 2024.
Ben Amadasun, Netflix’s VP of Content for Middle East and Africa: “We are incredibly excited to continue strengthening our relationships with our production partners in South Africa and bringing diverse and authentic local stories by local storytellers to our local and global audiences. We have seen South African stories not only be loved locally, but they have also found a fandom in many countries around the world. This is only a small taste of what’s to come next on Netflix as we continue our work to bring local South African and international stories to entertain our 278 million members around the world. ”Today Netflix 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 up 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 During 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 peak 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 the 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:
- New Announcement: Happiness Is – First there was Happiness is a 4 Letter Word, then came Happiness Ever After and 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.
- New Announcement: 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.
Main Image: Netflix
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