Tag Archives: Blood & Water

Netflix teases further SA originals

Burnt Onion Productions’ young-adult series Miseducation

US streamer Netflix is working on more original series out of South Africa and has renewed Blood & Water, Savage Beauty and pan-African reality series Young, Famous & African.

The streaming giant detailed its commitment to the South African TV and film industry at MipAfrica in Cape Town today during a panel session entitled See What’s Next on Netflix.

Netflix shared details of a series of collaborations with local filmmakers and labels across both TV and movies.

Of the TV projects, it has signed a multiple-title book adaptation deal with Akin Omotoso and Ochre Media, while it will also develop multiple titles across various genres and formats with Gambit Films (Blood & Water, Unseen).

Stained Glass Productions will develop book adaptations across a variety of genres, and Black Brain Pictures is set to produce both TV series and films for Netflix.

It will also make two more films with director Donovan Marsh (iNumber Number, Spud & Spud 2, Hunter Killer and I Am All Girls) following the release of iNumber Number: Fool’s Gold.

Writer, producer and director Jayan Moodley (The Kandasamys franchise) has struck a three-picture partnership with Netflix, starting off with the next instalment of the Kandasamys series of films, Kandasamys: The Baby, which is currently in production.

The new partnerships come as Netflix gears up to release Miseducation, a young-adult (YA) series from Burnt Onion Productions (How to Ruin Christmas).

Set to premiere on September 15, it stars Buntu Petse as student Mbali Hadebe, who must reinvent herself after her mother is accused of political corruption.

Meanwhile, YOH’ Christmas is a holiday season series scheduled for later this year, made by BBZEE Productions.

Netflix also announced renewals for teen crime series Blood & Water (S4), mystery drama Savage Beauty (S2) and pan-African reality series Young, Famous & African (S3).

“Netflix has pioneered a path for the voices of African filmmakers to be expressed globally,” said Bradley Joshua, CEO and executive producer of Gambit Films. “As a company, we are beyond grateful for the growing relationship we are forging.”

Ben Amadasun, Netflix’s VP of content for Middle East and Africa, said: “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.”

tagged in: , , , ,

Blood & Water S3 to debut next month

Award-winning Netflix series Blood & Water

Global streamer Netflix will launch the third season of South African teen crime drama series Blood & Water next month.

Returning for S3 on November 25, the series follows a girl who transfers to an elite school when she suspects one of the students may be her sister who was abducted as a baby.

Its cast includes Ama Qamata, Khosi Ngema, Gail Mabalane, Thabang Molaba, Dillon Windvogel and Arno Greeff.

Blood & Water won Best TV Drama at the South African Film and Television Awards in 2021.

tagged in: ,

Netflix orders Blood & Water S3

Blood & Water stars Ama Qamata (foreground)

Global streaming platform Netflix has ordered a third season of African teen drama series Blood & Water.

The series is produced by Cape Town’s Gambit Films and revolves around a high-school girl (played by Ama Qamata) whose sister was kidnapped as part of a human-trafficking network shortly after birth.

The show’s first season was released in May 2020, with second run launching on Netflix last September.

Blood & Water’s cast also includes Khosi Ngema, Thabang Molaba, Dillon Windvogel, Natasha Thahane, Gail Mabalane, Sello Maake, Arno Greeff and Ryle De Morny.

Netflix announced the renewal on Instagram, saying: “What’s better than two seasons? Three! Blood & Water season 3 is currently in production.”

The premiere date for season three has yet to be announced.

tagged in: , ,

Netflix takes Blood & Water to S2

Blood & Water comes from Gambit Films

Netflix has ordered a second season of African teen drama series Blood & Water.

Directed by South Africa’s Nosipho Dumisa, Blood & Water is produced by Cape Town’s Gambit Films, led by producers Bradley Joshua and Benjamin Overmeyer as producers.

Season one followed the story of Puleng (played by Ama Qamata), a high-school girl whose sister Phumele was kidnapped by a human-trafficking network many years ago.

Addressing members of the show’s creative team on Instagram, producer Nosipho Dumisa said: “I got a call the other day from some certain people from Netflix and they were like, ‘By the way, we love the show so much we can’t get enough, we’re definitely renewing season two and you guys need to get going.’”

Blood & Water’s cast includes breakout star Khosi Ngema plus experienced actors Qamata, Natasha Thahane, Gail Mabalane, Cindy Mahlangu, Thabang Molaba, Arno Greeff and Dillon Windvogel.

The premiere date for season two has yet to be announced.

tagged in: ,