Netflix announces upcoming African Original Series – ‘Blood & Water’ and ‘JIVA!’
2020 is a big year for Netflix. Not only did Queen Sono premiere earlier this year and broke all the records in the process, but Netflix also announced its second and third African Original series.
Queen Sono was Netflix’s first African Original, followed by Blood & Water – which premiers in May 2020 – JIVA!, which is currently in production in Cape Town. Here’s what you need to know.
Netflix African Original Series: JIVA!
JIVA! plot and storyline
Netflix revealed that JIVA! is a “fun and energy-packed drama series that follows the life of the talented street dancer Ntombi, who while juggling the demands of a dead-end job, family responsibility and rocky love life”.
She realises that her dance moves could be her ticket out of her working-class neighbourhood in Durban. But first, she must overcome her fears, beat her rivals and sort out the chaos that is her family.
Watch: JIVA! announcement trailer
JIVA! cast and crew
Busisiwe Ntintili of The Ntintili Factory – an award-winning writer, director and producer with 20 years experience – acts as both creator and showrunner.
Ntintili was also at the helm of some of South Africa’s highest-rated television shows, such as the Peabody award-winning drama series Intersexions, and the box office hit movie Happiness is a Four Letter Word.
In addition, JIVA! was also directed by Scottnes L. Smith Hear Me Move, There’s A Bluebird In My Heart, Long Street), Mandla Dube (Kalushi), and Mmambatha Monthso (Emoyeni, Lockdown).
The series stars a dynamic all-local cast, including:
- Noxolo Dlamini (Sarafina Stage Production, Isibaya) in the lead role
- Candice Modiselle (Generations; The Legacy)
- Sne Mbatha (So You Think You Can Dance)
- Stella Dlangalala (Funny People Africa)
- Zazi Kunene (Pinky Pinky)
- Anga Makubalo (Generations)
- Given Stuurman (Shuga)
- Ntuthuzelo Grootboom (PE’s Finest Dance Crew)
- Zamani Mbatha (Isithembiso)
- Tony Kgoroge (Invictus, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom)
Netflix African Original series: Blood & Water
Blood & Water plot and storyline
At Parkhurst College, a prestigious inner-city school for Cape Town’s elite scholars and academic overachievers, we follow the exploits of the intelligent, proactive and impulsive 16- year-old Puleng Khumalo.
She engineered her transfer to the school to investigate the 17-year-old cold case of her older sister, who was abducted-at-birth.
Blood & Water cast
The series boasts a female lead ensemble, consisting of:
- Ama Qamata
- Khosi Ngema
- Gail Mabalane
- Natasha Thahane
- Cindy Mahlangu
“Escape with them into a world of mystery, raw family dynamics and light-hearted relief”.
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