Illustration by What’s on Netflix – Pictures courtesy of Netflix
Netflix has revealed a slew of new and returning titles from South Africa coming soon to the streaming service globally.
Netflix’s South African library has ballooned in recent years, with the region becoming a reliable content source. The biggest titles include Jiva!, Silverton Siege, Wild is the Wind, Happiness Ever After, The Brave Ones, and Fatal Seduction.
Thanks to Netflix for providing us with the full list of titles that were previewed at MIP Africa at a session called See What’s Next on Netflix.
But what’s next? Here’s a look at the future movies and series coming soon to Netflix:
New and Returning Netflix Series From South Africa
Miseducation (Season 1)
Coming to Netflix: September 15th
Miseducation S1 Buntu Petse as Mbali in Miseducation S1 Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2023
Burnt Onion Productions returns to work with Netflix following How To Ruin Christmas with a new young adult drama series.
The story follows a young, self-absorbed, first-year varsity student ‘Mbali Hadebe’ who finds herself on the canceled list after the police raid her house and seize her family’s assets because of her mother, ‘Brenda Hadebe’s’ corrupt political dealings. Embarrassed and with her tail between her legs, Mbali runs to Grahamstown University in Makhanda, where she strives to reinvent herself and escape her mother’s corrupt legacy.
The cast for the series includes Buntu Petse, Lunga Shabalala, Prev Reddy, Luyanda Zwane, Mandisa Nduna, and Mpho Sebeng.
Blood & Water (Season 4)
Coming to Netflix: Q1 2024
Picture: Netflix
Announced to be renewed a little earlier in the year, Blood & Water is one of the longest-running series from the region on Netflix.
Per Netflix:
“Parkhurst High’s finest are coming back to delight our members with more thrilling (and hard-earned) life lessons.”
Savage Beauty (Season 2)
Coming to Netflix: 2024 TBD
Picture: Netflix
First debuting in May 2022, we’ve now officially learned that Savage Beauty has been renewed for a second season.
The mystery drama series follows the powerful Bhengu family and their global beauty empire is set to return with another drama-filled season, and everyone is out for revenge.
Created by Lebogang Mogashoa and produced by Quizzical Pictures.
Other Upcoming South African Netflix Series:
- The Ultimatum: South Africa (Season 1) – Regional spin-off of the Netflix reality series.
- YOH’ Christmas – Holiday-themed series produced by Johnny Barbuzano, Tiffany Barbuzano and Morishe Matlejoane for BBZEE Productions. To debut in late 2023.
- Young, Famous & African (Season 3) – Reality series renewed for a third season.
New Netflix Movies From South Africa
Kandasamys: The Baby
Coming to Netflix: October 20th
Picture: Netflix
Netflix licensed the first Kandasamys (called Kandasamys: The Wedding) in 2019 and then picked up the global rights to Trippin’ with the Kandasamys in 2021.
The next chapter (already announced for Netflix) in the Kandasamys film franchise with Jayan Moodley returning to write and direct was shot on location in South Africa and Mauritius.
Moodley is currently working with Netflix under a three-picture partnership.
Heart of the Hunter
Coming to Netflix: Q1 2024
Picture: Netflix
Described as a twisty spy-thriller based on the novel by acclaimed author Deon Meyer and directed by Mandla Dube.
Soweto Love Story
Coming to Netflix: Q1 2024
A new romantic comedy set in the heart of Johannesburg’s famous township.
Netflix also announced several new deals with South African production companies and creatives:
- Book adaptation partnership with Akin Omotoso and Ochre Media
- Donovan Marsh working with Netflix under a three-picture deal
- Gambit Films (the team behind Blood & Water) working with Netflix on multiple new series and films.
- Gugu Zuma-Ncube and Pepsi Pokane under Stained Glass Productions, working on multiple book adaptations.
- Mandla Ngcongwane and Mpumelelo Nhlapo, through Black Brain Pictures, are working via a multi-title partnership.