Netflix’s first African original series, “Queen Sono,” has been renewed for a second season after the first received critical acclaim. Starring South Africa’s Pearl Thusi, the series was created by director Kagiso Lediga and executive produced by Tamsin Andersson. Production for the second is slated to begin later this year, according to Deadline.
“The first season of Queen Sono marked the beginning of our journey to introduce the world to exciting stories that are made in Africa. It was an unprecedented representation of a strong female black lead in African television,” stated Dorothy Ghettuba, head of African originals at Netflix.
Earlier this year, Variety reported British-Nigerian and “Star Wars” actor John Boyega signed a deal with Netflix through his company, UpperRoom Productions, to “develop non-English language films centered on West and East Africa.”
The partnership was the latest in Netflix’s bid to increase its stake in original content coming from Africa. In February, chief content officer Ted Sarandos and other high-level executives visited Lagos and revealed details of their first Nigerian series from renowned writer/director Akin Omotoso, before traveling to Johannesburg to launch “Queen Sono.”
Two other African originals, the South African teen drama “Blood & Water” and the animated Zambian series “Mama K’s Team 4,” are slated to premiere later this year.