EXCLUSIVE: Latest trailer has dropped for Shaka Ilembe, African powerhouse MultiChoice Group’s self-described “biggest ever primetime drama series.”
The 12-parter follows the original story of the legendary African monarch and military strategist, King Shaka, from childhood to adulthood through the 1700s, and is set to star Coming 2 America’s Nomzamo Mbatha, who is also EPing. Academy Award-nominee Angus Gibson (Mandela) is director and Desiree Markgraaff is EP.
Mbatha is starring alongside Lemogang Tsipa, Senzo Radebe, Wiseman Mncube, Thembinkosi Mthembu, Mondli Makhoba, Khabonina Qubeka, Sthandiwe Kgoroge, Dawn Thandeka King and rising star Hope Mbhele. Ferdi Berger is directing with Gibson.
Filmed in South Africa, Shaka Ilembe features much of the country’s wildlife and scenery, including the mountains, savanna, and coastline of of KwaZulu Natal, home to the majority of South Africa’s Zulu people. Key filming locations included the towns of Eshowe, Nkandla Forest, Port Edward, Drakensburg, Mooi River and Zulu Falls. Meanwhile other parts of the series were shot on a purpose-built backlot near the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as ‘The Cradle of Humankind.’
MultiChoice is calling Shaka Ilembe its “biggest ever primetime drama series.”
