SA first a dark drama with master class of bright stars
Showmax has released the trailer for their first original drama.
At St Agnes, a prestigious allgirls boarding school in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, the only saint is in the name. When a popular student is found dead at the base of the old mill, the school is quick to declare the death a tragic accident. But drama teacher Kate Ballard (Nina Milner) doesn’t believe it.
The more she investigates, the more Kate realises she didn’t know the dead girl, Lexi Summerveld (Jane de Wet), or the school at all.
Behind the imposing walls of St Agnes, Lexi’s killer won’t be the only person exposed.
This eight-part whodunnit premieres on Showmax on January 31.
Drama a showcase of South African talent
is a rare showcase of South Africa’s English-language acting talent.
“English-speaking actors generally work internationally and have to do American or British accents to make decent money,” said legendary casting director Moonyeenn Lee, who’s been nominated for two Emmy awards in the past three years – for and for
“That was why it was nice when this came up, to do English but South African English.”
For her first South African series in a decade, she’s handpicked an incredible cast led by Nina Milner, named one of Model.com’s Top Newcomers at Paris Fashion Week in 2017;
star Tyrone Keogh, in his first local role since being named SA’s sexiest actor during his time on
and actor Robert Hobbs; and Monte Carlo Best Actor finalist Graham Hopkins
They’re supported by internationally recognised South African talent like Tessa Jubber
former Olympic swimmer Karl Thaning and Shamilla Miller
hot new talent like De Wet, Paige Bonnin and 2018 Fleur Du Cap best student nominee Tristan de Beer; as well as local favourites like winner Zakeeya Makgotso M
Khumalo Broderick Patel Celeste and Jocelyn
“I’m still not sure how they put together a cast like this,” said Patel. “It was a master class on set every day.”
Distributed internationally
In a South African first, the dark drama is being distributed internationally by Red Arrow Studios International (Death and Nightingales, Bosch).
It’s easy to see why: “Crime stories and twisted dramas taking place in different parts of the world have become a staple,” says Milner. “What this show does really successfully is set the formula in a fresh, contemporary South African context.”
It’s only eight bingeable episodes
Look, we love soaps and telenovelas as much as the next South African, but sometimes it’s nice to watch something with a satisfying ending, like finding out who killed Lexi Summerveld and why.
has that formula that the whole world has gone mad for: shorter seasons of extremely bingeable criminal content,” said Milner.
Just be warned: you’re going to want to stay up all night and finish it in one sitting.
“I read the scripts all in one sitting, so I’m so happy that all eight episodes will be released at the same time,” said Patel.
“I binged; once I started reading them I couldn’t stop.
“I literally pulled my car over on the side of the road to finish them.” It was dangerous but I went into a parking lot and motored through them on my phone, in tiny, tiny writing.”
It’s like nothing you’ve seen before on SA TV
South Africans normally turn to HBO series on Showmax for edgy content as local series tend to be more conservative, with nudity and divisive topics generally avoided. But conservative isn’t a word anyone’s going to use for
“The series is a first for South Africa,” said Hobbs. “I absolutely love the scripts. They go to the heart of the story.
“There’s no limitation in terms of broadcasting this, no old-school rules and regulations about what you can show live. You don’t have to imply stuff; we can experience it.
“That is its strength. That’s what makes it unique.”
“The style of writing on this is very different,” echoed Thaning. “What’s great about this show is it certainly pulls no punches, particularly for my character. We need a change in SA and I think everyone is hoping this sparks a television movement.”
Produced by the multiaward-winning Quizzical Pictures, is on Showmax on January 31.