The Box: ‘Nikiwe’ To Make E.TV Debut; Eva Longoria Developing Spanish Remake Of ‘Call My Agent!’
Africa: Kunle Afolayan, the acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker, has confirmed the development of his new series, Aníkúlápó. The series stars Kunle Remi, Bimbo Ademoye, and Taiwo Hassan and tells the story of a man who leaves his hometown, only to find himself entangled in a love affair with the king’s wife.
Amazon Prime is developing its first South African original series. The streaming service has enlisted Trevor Noah to host the series, LOL: Last One Laughing South Africa, where the comedian will pit comedians and entertainers against each other in an effort to raise money for charity.
Nikiwe, an upcoming telenovela, will replace the show, Durban Gen, once it is taken off the air. The new series will debut on e.tv on April 24.
As Imbewu: The Seed also approaches its series finale, its replacement series, Smoke and Mirrors, is set to make its premiere on April 17. The new series follows a woman who seeks to clean up a small mining town, working as a hairdresser by day and an escort by night.
The highly anticipated drama series, Shaka iLembe, is set to launch on June 18 on DStv. The twelve-episode series features the cast of Nomzamo Mbatha, Abdul Khoza, and Lemogang Tsipa and chronicles the life of the Zulu King.
Accelerate TV’s highly anticipated second season of The Olive is quickly approaching its April 7th release date. The series is directed by Yemi Morafa and features the cast of Joke Silva, Stephanie Coker Aderinokun, and Demi Banwo. The premiere episode of the new season will drop on Accelerate TV’s YouTube channel as well as on the network’s streaming app, Accelerate Plus.
Rana Daggubati - Rana Naidu / Netflix
Asia: The hit Korean drama series, Reborn Rich, is getting remade into a Thai version on the Asian streaming service, Viu. The sixteen-episode series premiered in South Korea in late 2022 and was developed for Viu by the South Korean production company, JTBC Studios. The upcoming Thai remake is expected to premiere sometime in 2024.
Disney+ is looking to expand its K-drama library with its upcoming buddy cop series, Han River Police. The series will star Kwon Sang-woo and Kim Hee-won as two officers whose polar opposite personalities frequently clash as they are tasked with handling various situations. Han River Police is set to debut later in the year, according to Disney.
Rana Naidu, Netflix’s Indian adaptation of the hit Showtime drama, Ray Donovan, has enjoyed global popularity as the series has climbed onto the streamer’s list of the top ten most-watched non-English series. The show, like its English counterpart, follows a character who fixes the messy situations of his star clients.
The first production under Paramount Global’s partnership with South Korea’s CJ ENM, a sci-fi drama series titled Yonder, will premiere on Paramount+ in the U.S. and internationally on April 11. Additionally, on the same day, the streamer will also begin carrying a number of CJ ENM’s various thriller and drama productions.
Iconic South Korean actor, Choi Min-sik, is returning to television for the first time in 25 years for the Disney+ crime drama series, Big Bet. Choi is known for his roles on the big screen in titles such as Oldboy, Shirt, and Roaring Currents.
Yash Raj Films’ latest spy universe film, Tiger vs Pathaan, is set to star Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. The film will begin filming in January 2024.
Netflix is set to premiere its upcoming eight-episode sumo wrestling drama, Sanctuary, on May 4. The series follows a young delinquent who finds himself thrust into the world of sumo wrestling. Eguchi Kan will helm the eight-episode season.
Alibaba, the Chinese tech giant, is breaking into six different groups, each of which will be managed by its own CEO and board. Among the newly formed groups will be an entertainment body and a digital media company.
Omar Sy - Stephane Cardinale / Corbis
Europe: Among the slate of its upcoming European series presented at Series Mania, Netflix revealed the third season of its heist series, Lupin, which stars Omar Sy. The streamer also teased other programs at the event, including the second season of its comedy series, Represent, and Barracuda Queens.
Siena Kelly, star of Adult Material, has joined the cast of BBC Three’s Domino Day. From first-time writer Lauren Sequeira, the show touches the topic of dating apps, where the protagonist uses the medium with a different goal in mind.
Eva Longoria - Corey Nickols
Latin America: TV entertainer Xavier López, better known as “Chabelo,” has passed away at the age of 88. López was known for his starring role in the TV show, En familia con Chabelo as well as for his work in the series, Los simuladores.
Eva Longoria’s production company, UnbeliEVAble, is partnering with Elefantec Global to develop a Spanish version of the series, Call My Agent! Longoria will also direct the first two episodes herself.
Nima Javidi
Middle East: Nima Javidi’s new series, The Actor, has become the first Iranian title to premiere at a Series Mania competition. The series follows two struggling actors, played by Navid Mohammadzadeh and Ahmad Mehranfar, who take up a career of staging pranks.