Netflix has just announced its first ever original series from South Africa, called Queen Sono. This announcement comes after Netflix last month said that it will soon offer more local programming to its audiences on the continent
South African actress Pearl Thusi will star as the title character, who is a “highly trained top spy in a South African agency”.
The series will track her on her most dangerous mission, while simultaneously following her changing relationships in her personal life.
Queen Sono will be directed by South African comedian Kagiso Lediga.
“We are excited to be working with Kagiso and Pearl, to bring the story of Queen Sono to life, and we expect it to be embraced by our South African users,” said Netflix.
The news comes after Netflix recently announced that it was “looking at opportunities in Africa” for new content.
Netflix said the series will begin production next year.
A report that came last week suggested that Netflix had confirmed plans to commission original series from Africa in 2019.
The entertainment website quoted Erik Barmack, Netflix’s vice president of international originals, as saying that its European team was “in the process of looking at opportunities in Africa. It’s definitely the case that we’ll commission some series there in … 2019.”
Queen Sono, which will launch in 190 countries next year, will be the first of many productions Netflix plans to do in Africa.
The development comes as rival Showmax, owned by MultiChoice, plans to release its second locally made series. The Girl From St Agnes is a murder mystery and Showmax’s second original show after the well-received Tali’s Wedding Diary.
