Netflix makes “most significant expansion” into Africa with new slate & content partnerships

Miseducation

Netflix has announced a slate of new African programming at MIP Africa, including a new YA series, Miseducation, and the fourth season of teen crime drama Blood & Water.

The global streamer also revealed that it has struck several multi-title partnerships with South African creators and production companies, which the service described as its “most significant expansion so far” in terms of investment in the country.

Among the partnerships are with Akin Omotoso and Ochre Media for multiple-title book adaptations; director Donovan Marsh (iNumber Number) on a three-picture film partnership; and Gambit Films (Blood & Water) on a multi-title deal across genres and formats.

Netflix has also teamed with writer, producer and director Jayan Moodley (the Kandasamys franchise) on a three-picture partnership; Stained Glass Productions led by Gugu Zuma-Ncube and Pepsi Pokane, on a multi-title book adaptation deal; and producers Mandla Ngcongwane and Mpumelelo Nhlapo and their firm, Black Brain Pictures on a multi-title partnership for films and series.

Blood & Water

Series additions & renewals

New and returning series from Africa heading to the streamer for the end of 2023 and into 2024 include Miseducation, a new YA series from Burnt Onion Productions (How To Ruin Christmas), which debuts 15 September.

The story follows a young, self-absorbed, first-year varsity student Mbali Hadebe (Buntu Petse) who finds herself on the canceled list after the police raid her house and seize her family’s assets because of her mother’s (Baby Cele) corrupt political dealings.

Embarrassed, Mbali runs to Grahamstown University in Makhanda, where she strives to reinvent herself and escape her mother’s corrupt legacy.

YOH’ Christmas, meanwhile, is a new holiday season series produced by Johnny Barbuzano, Tiffany Barbuzano and Morishe Matlejoane for BBZEE Productions.

Returning shows include the fourth season of Blood & Water, from writer and director Nosipho Dumisa and Gambit Films, which will launch in the first quarter of 2024.

Mystery drama Savage Beauty is back for a second season, with the Quizzical Pictures show returning next year, while reality series Young, Famous & African is back for a third season, with production to begin soon.

Heart Of The Hunter

Unique perspectives & diverse stories

Feature films headed to the service include Kandasamys: The Baby, which will premiere on 20 October and is the first project from the aforementioned partnership with writer and director, Jayan Moodley.

Heart Of The Hunter, meanwhile, is a spy-thriller based on the novel by Deon Meyer and directed by Mandla Dube, launching in the first quarter of 2024; while Soweto Love Story, a rom-com set in the heart of Johannesburg’s famous township, will also launch on Netflix in the first quarter of 2024.

“We are incredibly excited to continue with our investment in South African storytelling and to expand our relationships with these amazing storytellers. These long-term partnerships with local filmmakers have enabled us to uncover unique perspectives and diverse stories from South Africa to entertain our more than 238 million members around the world.

“This is why we’re committed to investing in South Africa’s creative industry and showcasing the incredible talent the country has to offer,” said Ben Amadasun, Netflix’s VP of content for Middle East and Africa.