Lockdown plays the ace card
US star says SA show’s world class
When the first season of local prison drama Lockdown premiered last year, many critics dismissed it as another knock-off of hit American series Orange is the New Black.
But the gritty Mzansi Magic show quickly became its own show and won over the naysayers. Aside from the poignant storyline, a large reason why the show has found a special place in the hearts of South Africans is because of the intensely powerful song Mama Ka Bafana.
Played during a pivotal scene in every episode, newcomer Nelisiwe Sibiya delivers the evocative song highlighting the devastating effects of domestic violence.
The first season made Zola Nombona a household name, catapulted Uzalo villain Dawn Thandeka King into sheer stardom and introduced a darker side of actress Lorcia Cooper.
When the second season debuted, the show kicked it up a notch. South Africans got what they have been asking for – Pamela Nomvete’s muchawaited return to the local small screen. But perhaps it was the introduction of awardwinning actress Linda Sebezo as a deranged prison inmate that rocked Mzansi.
With the third season currently filming, it’s simply go big or go home for creator Mandla N. American actress Tichina Arnold has been revealed as season three’s secret weapon. The ageless beauty renowned for her roles in Martin and Everybody Hates Chris is in the country for two weeks to shoot her scenes as new prison inmate Paulette.
Arnold has praised the show and thinks it should go global.