Netflix yesterday presented a preview of what will be its programming for the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023. Bringing together talent, filmmakers and press from South Africa and Nigeria, Netflix hosted See What’s Next Africa content showcase to spotlight its increased investment in Africa’s rich heritage of storytelling through exciting new projects that span a diverse range of genres and formats that will be available in 190 countries.

During the first half of 2022, Netflix in Africa released an exceptional slate of content from the sub-Saharan Africa region across multiple genres including the pan-African reality show Young, Famous & African, the South African action film Silverton Siege, the South African soapy drama series Savage Beauty, Netflix’s first Kenyan licensed branded series Country Queen, the first Netflix-owned Nigerian series Blood Sisters, a riveting south African crime documentary Senzo: Murder Of A Soccer Star and most recently, Justice Served.  The response has been astounding with several of these titles landing on the Netflix weekly Global Top 10 lists which rank  global and country lists for the most popular titles on our service, in addition to the Top 10 daily product rows on Netflix.

“We believe that Africa is one of the major creative centres for great storytelling that resonates around the world so it only makes sense for us to increase our investment with our slate with an even more exciting slate. We’re proud to continue creating global opportunities for the talented creatives of this great continent and sharing their authentic stories with our members in Africa and around the world.” said Dorothy Ghettuba, Netflix Director of Series in Africa.

As part of the company’s ongoing commitment to creating sustainable relationships with African storytellers, Netflix announced a multi-project partnership with acclaimed South African filmmaker Mandlakayise Walter Dube. Under the partnership, Mandla – who directed Netflix’s first commissioned African film Silverton Siege (and Kalushi) – will direct a variety of Netflix-owned projects which will be shared in due course. This partnership joins other multi-title agreements between the company and African creatives including Mo Abudu (and Ebonylife StudioS) and Kunle Afolayan (and KAP).

At the event, Netflix also gave a glimpse into the progress of the various projects being created by emerging filmmakers from the various initiatives the company introduced in the past year which include, the UNESCO & Netflix ‘African folktales, Reimagined’ Competition; the Netflix & NFVF Film Fund and the Realness Institute Episodic Lab.

Tendeka Matatu, Director of Local Language Films in Africa said, “We are working with top talent and filmmakers as well as exciting emerging voices from the continent. We are thrilled to expand our partnerships with Africa’s talented storytellers. With an ever-growing slate of series, movies and licensed content across a rich variety of best-in-class content across genres, we want to give our members more moments to share the joy that comes from being immersed in great stories made in Africa, to be watched by the world.”

At the event, Netflix previewed a diverse range of best-in-class exciting African content through exclusive promo reels and images. These include:

• Ludik (ZA) –  Netflix’s first Afrikaans title series Ludik is set to burst onto screens globally on 26 August 2022. The racy, skop-skiet-en-donder six-part series features South African-born Hollywood actor Arnold Vosloo (Silvertone Siege) in the titular role of Daan Ludik alongside local heavyweight talents Rob Van Vuuren (Swys De Villiers), Diaan Lawrenson (Anet Ludik) and Zane Meas (Brigadier Davies).
• The Brave Ones (ZA) -From the one and only Akin Omotoso, this supernatural drama series is set in modern-day South Africa and is inspired by African folklore. The Brave Ones launches on the 16th September 2022 – more details about this exciting series will be released in the next coming days. The series was created by renowned film director, writer and actorAkin Omotoso,  features Sthandile Nkosi, Sthandiwe Kgoroge, Bonko Khoza and Tony Kgoroge. More details about the series to follow shortly.
• Kings of Queenstown (ZA) – Kings of Queenstown tells the tale of a young  soccer prodigy who must deal with his washed-up pro-footballer father while navigating some difficult choices. The series launches on the 4th of  November and stars Zolisa Xaluva and directed by prolific South African director  Jahmil XT Quebeka whose films, Knuckle City, Sew the Winter to My Skin and Of Good Report will also be available on Netflix later this year
• Earlier this year at the 4th South African Investment Conference, Netflix pledged an investment commitment of over ZAR920 Million across 4 productions in South Africa for 2022-2023. The four productions included One Piece – a global live action series currently being filmed at the Cape Town Film Studios, as well as two series which Netflix shared the launch dates at the content showcase: the highly anticipated series Blood & Water (ZA) making a season 3 return in November while How to Ruin Christmas: The Baby Shower  (ZA) will premiere on 16 December. The fourth title in this investment revealed at the showcase event is the sequel of a much-loved South African film iNumber Number. iNumber Number: Fool’s Gold (ZA) is directed by Donovan Marsh (Hunter Killer, I am All Girls) and will see S’Dumo Mtshali and Presley Chweneyagae reprise their roles as buddy cops – this time, they’re tasked with cracking the biggest gold heist in African history. More details on this high-octane film will be shared closer to the launch date in 2023. 
• Netflix also reaffirmed its commitment to reality by confirming the return of Young Famous and African (pan-Africa) which will start production soon to showcase some of Africa’s biggest stars as they go about their everyday fabulous lives. Look out for more details about the cast at a later date.

• Elesin Oba, The King’s Horseman (NG) – Based on the lauded play by Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka –Death and The King’s Horseman – this film, produced by Mo Abudu and her EbonyLife production company explores the collision between Yoruba traditions and British colonialism through the experience of a king’s horseman on the most important day of his life.  The film, which will make its world premiere at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 10 – will launch on the service on November 4, 2022. The screen adaptation was written and directed by Biyi Bandele and stars Odunlade Adekola, Shaffy Bello and acclaimed musician Olawale ‘Brymo’ Olofooro as the Praise Singer.Entertainment fans can also look forward to Deyemi Okanlawon, Omowunmi Dada, and veteran actors, Jide Kosoko and Kevin Ushi, Jenny Stead, Mark Elderkin, Langley Kirkwood and a special appearance by acting legend Taiwo Ajai-Lycett and Ajoke Silva.

• Anikulapo (NG): Anikulapo – which formed part of the netflix multi-title agreement with Kunle Afolayan – is a one of a kind mystical folklore drama revolving around the life of Saro, a young zealous man seeking for greener pasture in the great Oyo Kingdom. However, unfolding events and his illicit affair with the king’s wife, Arolake leads to his untimely death and encounter with Akala, a mystical bird believed to give and take life. The film is directed by Kunle Afolayan and features Kunle Remi, Sola Sobowale, Aisha Lawal, Bimbo Ademoye, Debo Adedayo (Mr Macaroni) and Dele Odule. The film will launch on  30 September.

Netflix has also invested in a wide variety of licensed films and series that will make their debuts on Netflix this year. These include:

• Office Invasion (ZA, 10 August): Three friends believe their lives can’t get any worse after the mining company they work for is taken over by the owner’s degenerate son. That is, until the mine is targeted by a monstrous band of aliens looking to plunder the mine and exterminate all of its staff. A Sci-fi comedy feature directed by Gareth Crocker and Fred Wolmarans
• Lockdown (NG, 5 August): A couple attempt a high-risk, high-stakes jewellery heist at a department store.
• The Razz Guy (NG, 12 August): While preparing for an important business deal, an arrogant executive loses control of his voice after being cursed by an office cleaner.
• Wild is The Wind (ZA, 28 October): In a small racially segregated town, a corrupt cop struggles to take responsibility for his part in the wrongful arrest of a black teenager charged for the brutal murder of a young Afrikaans girl. Crime drama directed by Fabian Medea and stars Mothusi Magano.
• Disconnect 2  (KE, December): The sequel of a well-loved story about a  self-centred Otis who falls victim to a wedding scam, months after volunteering to organise a destination wedding for his Nigerian investor buddy, who will arrive with the wedding party in two days, so he desperately enlists the help of a reluctant TK and friends. Produced and directed by David ‘Tosh’ Gitonga who will also have two more stories, a film Nairobi Half Life and a series Volume launching on the service in due course (dates to be confirmed at a later date).

To further delight fans of Nigerian stories, Netflix is bringing back 31 fan-favourite films from Nigeria which will be launched every day throughout the month of August. The films making their return to the service include The Ghost and the Tout, Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons, Elevator Baby, The Set Up, Love Is War, Sugar Rush, Up North, Nimbe, Merry Men 2: Another Mission, Coming from Insanity, The Vendor, The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai, Lara and the Beat, Living in Bondage: Breaking Free, 4th Republic, Lagos Real Fake Life, Anchor Baby, Light in the Dark, It’s Her Day, Hire a Woman, Alakada Reloaded, Nigerian Prince, Black Rose, Moms at War, The Delivery Boy, New Money, Seven and a half dates, The Millions, Last Flight to Abuja, Couple of Days and Payday.