Global streamer Netflix is set to premiere new South African comedy-drama series Miseducation on September 15.
Miseducation is produced by Randburg-based Burnt Onion Productions, created by Rethabile Ramaphakela and Katleho Ramaphakela and directed by Catharine Cooke, Themba Mfebe, Lwazi Mvusi and Rea Rangaka.
The young-adult series tells the story of a wannabe influencer, played by Buntu Petse, who is forced to start afresh in a small university town after her mother’s implication in a corruption scandal.
Once in the remote town, she tries to regain her social status and ‘uncancel’ herself. Her haters, on the other hand, will stop at nothing to bring her right back down to earth.
As well as Petse, the cast includes Lunga Shabalala, Baby Cele, Prev Reddy, Mpho Sebeng, Micaela Tucker, Mandisa Nduna, Camilla Waldman, Nicole Bessick and Ebenhaezer Dibakwane.
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.”
