Every year brings with it the prospect of a new soap opera or several on local television.
We are completely besotted with this brand of TV with the fire of popularity being passed from one production to another.
Generations once had the torch, then Uzalo and now Skeem Saam. All the while, the industry churns out more and attempts to increase the quality of this brand of entertainment involves.
Today is a new day and with it comes a new soap opera, the Queendom.
Starring household names such as Sindi Dlathu, Dawn Thandeka King, Sjava and Linda Mtoba, the Queendom has the streets buzzing with anticipation.
This narrative delves into the intricate tapestry of cultural lineage, the enduring legacies of traditions, the inexorable force of destiny, the deep roots of ancestry, the dynamic of power conflicts, the quest for personal identity, and the survival instinct.
These themes are interwoven to create a rich exploration of the human condition and the complex interplay between our past, present, and future.
The show was unveiled this Tuesday at a swanky event held at the Kings Kraal in Bryanston.
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The stars came out to play and bask in the radiance of what one can only assume is imminent success.
Director and showrunner Athi Petela breaks down what it took to formulate this show and what you are likely to witness unfold on your screens.
“It began in Cape Town, at a film company called Stage 5 Films, with really amazing people that I will remember, love and cherish for the rest of my life and I guess the rest is history,” says Athi, who has been in the TV space for about a decade.
Originally from Umtata, Eastern Cape, Athi had thoughts of being a literary writer or architect before finding his way to film and television.
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“Those two things don’t even go together. After high school, I went to UJ [University of Johannesburg], did logistics then decided that I wanted to do film.
“Initially, I thought cinematography but somehow, writing and directing found me and I fell in love and that was that” he says looking back on the journey it took to arrive at this moment.
She was moved to create a story around how all families have to deal with politics, “but royal family politics are different”.
“I think Queendom brings a fresh perspective, lensing a world we’ve always known exists in our societies but without the knowledge of the daily dealings of this world look like.
“The female lead element in any show is always exciting, especially when the lead rises into a position of power.
“We will get to witness this through Ntando. The exciting thing about her rise is that she maintains her morals throughout. Her rightful position is rightfully hers because she was born for it.
“That’s an exciting element, too, and I think – among many things that make Queendom different – these states are particularly the most exciting for me.”
She is proud of and loves all the characters he was able to dream up and cannot wait for you to delve into the world he has dreamt up.
“They each have amazing, unique storylines. From time to time, I will have a favourite scene though and the reasons why it’s my favourite always differ.
“It could be based on how colourful the scene has suddenly become after running it with the actors, could be based on how much it reminds me of a certain time in my life or the emotions it sparks up, how the set felt at the time we shot the scene or just how genuinely funny the scene is. It could be anything really.”
Her confidence in what is to come is undeniable and we can only hope the show is equal to his intensity and passion. Beyond this project Athi is cooking up a few other productions that will hit our screen soon.
“There are a couple of shows I am hoping to get made this year, God willing. Praying and working hard towards that goal and as for Queendom, let’s just say drama and so much more of it.”
Queendom airs on 22 April on BET.
