Netflix bags second South African series

Netflix has signed a deal for its second South African series, teen-led drama Blood & Water, continuing its investment in the African region.

The series, directed by Nosipho Dumisa, is expected to launch globally on the platform in 2020.

Blood & Water will feature an up-and-coming South African cast and be filmed later this year. It follows a local teen uncovering her family’s secret past and navigating the complicated world of a South African high school.

Dumisa has made her mark in the world of film, having won the Cheval Noir jury prize for best director at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, Quebec, for Nommer 37.

The Nommer 37 production team will be on board for Blood & Water, with Daryne Joshua & Travis Taute writing and co-directing with Durmin, Bradley Joshua and Benjamin Overmeyer as producers and Simon Beesley as lead editor.

“Gambit Films and I are so excited to be working with Netflix on this explosive young adult drama, with not only a cool look at strong female leads but also a powerful mystery at its core,” said Durmin.

“As a director who loves genre, this series combines the best of so many and isn’t shy to delve into the real issues of youth culture, whilst jam-packing it with twists that will keep viewers guessing.”

Kelly Luegenbiehl, VP of international originals, Europe, Turkey and Africa, at Netflix, said: “We are delighted to be investing further in African content and to partner with Nosipho and the team at Gambit Films to bring our second original series from South Africa to Netflix. Great stories are universal, so we expect this gripping teen drama, with its view on contemporary high school life, to appeal to young adults from South Africa, as well as the rest of the world.”

Luegenbiehl continues: “Following on the heels of Queen Sono, Blood & Water is the next step in our further investment in original African content and we’re excited to explore more projects across the region.”