South Africa’s Most Decorated and Most Watched Drama Series of All Time Makes Its International Debut, As STUDIOCANAL Launches International Sales at MIPCOM 2026 Revealing a First Look at Season 3
Windhoek, Oct 2 — STUDIOCANAL announces SHAKA ILEMBE: ZULU KING, bringing the record-breaking isiZulu-language drama to buyers outside Africa for the first time ahead of MIPCOM 2026 (Marché International des Programmes de Communication or International Market of Communications Programmes). STUDIOCANAL will launch international sales at the market revealing a first look at season 3 today. SHAKA ILEMBE: ZULU KING is South Africa’s most decorated and most watched drama series of all time.
Produced by Bomb Productions for MultiChoice, a CANAL+ Company, SHAKA ILEMBE: ZULU KING is the origin story of King Shaka kaSenzangakhona, told authentically, in isiZulu, by African filmmakers and historians. Three series into its run, with the new series set to premiere soon in Africa, SHAKA ILEMBE: ZULU KING arrives internationally as an established franchise, whose audience and critical reception have grown with each series.
Across its first two series, it has become the highest-rated drama in DStv’s history, the most-searched TV series in South Africa in 2023, and the record-holder for the most wins by a drama series in a single year at the SAFTAs, with 12 wins including Best Drama Series.
The series is executive produced by Desiree Markgraaff and Nomzamo Mbatha, who also stars as Queen Nandi.
Series 3 picks up four years after the events of Series 2, with Shaka’s kingdom dominant across Southern Africa but facing new external pressure, including British expansion and growing European influence. The story expands to include the emerging Basotho Kingdom of Moshoeshoe, King Faku’s Mpondo Kingdom and the settlement of Port Natal, with Queen Nandi and Shaka’s politically formidable aunt, Mkabayi, at its emotional centre.
Series 3 introduces to the cast Lerato Mvelase (Justice Served, Marked) as Queen Mpikase; Aiden Scott (One Piece) as Henry Francis Fynn, a British trader who becomes close to Shaka; Conrad Kemp (G20, Novocaine) as Lt. Francis Farewell; and Wonder Ndlovu (The Polygamist) as Prince Mpande.
Desireé Markgraaf, Executive Producer, said: “Making Shaka iLembe: Zulu King has been a journey of more than 12 years for the Bomb creative team. Our ambition was to tell this story with the scale, drama and epic sweep of world-class mainstream storytelling, while portraying the Africa we know and love with the dignity, complexity and humanity it deserves. Our partnership with M-Net, STUDIOCANAL, and CANAL+ has made this enormous undertaking possible. And we have been privileged to have the creative vision of Oscar-nominated director Angus Gibson guiding the series across all three seasons.”
Nomzamo Mbatha, Executive Producer and star, expands: “Shaka ILembe: Zulu King is proof of what African storytelling can achieve when it’s given the room to be ambitious, told at scale, and shared from the inside out. As an Executive Producer, I’m most proud of the series’ success at home and abroad, and of its real contribution to our creative economy.
Portraying Queen Nandi, a woman whose courage helped build a kingdom and whose values still shape our understanding of the modern Zulu woman, has been an honour and a career highlight. None would be possible without the talent pool of gifted actors and directors I was fortunate enough to mold the character with.”
Anna Marsh, CEO of STUDIOCANAL and Chief Content Officer of CANAL+ comments “STUDIOCANAL is incredibly proud to bring SHAKA ILEMBE: ZULU KING to MIPCOM. Our continued goal is to bring local stories to the world stage. Carried by an exceptional creative team this series speaks far beyond its borders; driven by world class storytelling, creative talent and authenticity the SHAKA ILEMBE: ZULU KING franchise is a monumental achievement in television and one which must be celebrated for its deeply universal human portrayal of legendary figures. A groundbreaking production.”
Nomsa Philiso, Vice President of Content, CANAL+ Africa concludes “The international launch of Shaka iLembe: Zulu King
SHAKA ILEMBE: ZULU KING has already expanded into francophone Africa via CANALAfrique+ MAGIC, delivering 24 episodes across its first two series, backed by MultiChoice’s largest single investment in a local production and over 20,000 jobs created across production.
The series’ arrival marks the latest chapter in a run of premium, non-English-language dramas to find international audiences well beyond their domestic markets, though few have carried SHAKA ILEMBE: ZULU KING’s existing record of ratings and awards success.
STUDIOCANAL will introduce international buyers to the franchise at MIPCOM 2026, with sales activity for Series 3 to commence at London Screenings 2027.
Following the CANAL+ Group’s acquisition of MultiChoice Group, STUDIOCANAL is bringing productions of significant scale to South Africa and as they wrap filming on Bill Condon’s feature film THE ROAD HOME starring Thabo Rametsi, Cynthia Erivo, Guy Pearce, Johnny Flynn & John Legend. South Africa continues to be one of the world’s leading destinations for ambitious film and television production with exceptional talent, technical expertise and production capabilities.
Currently in production for STUDIOCANAL is SHADOW HAS FALLEN, the next chapter of the studio’s globally recognised Has Fallen franchise, season 3 is shooting in South Africa with production drawing upon South Africa’s first-class cast, crews and creative talent, further showcasing the country’s capabilities on the global stage. It is another demonstration of the STUDIOCANAL and CANAL+ group’s long-term commitment to South Africa, it’s incredible creative community and standing by those commitments made during the CANAL+ group’s acquisition of MultiChoice Group.
