A South African television drama has demonstrated the growing ability of African productions to reach audiences beyond the continent after The Polygamist secured a strong position on Netflix’s global non-English television rankings.
The series, which premiered on Netflix in June, debuted at number four on the platform’s Global Top 10 Non-English TV chart before rising to number two. It recorded 93.4 million hours viewed during its first two weeks, according to industry reporting.
The series stars S’dumo Mtshali as Jonasi Gomora and explores family, relationships, power and the complications surrounding a polygamous household.Its performance is significant for the African television industry because streaming platforms have created new distribution opportunities for productions that might previously have depended mainly on domestic broadcasters.
The success also illustrates the commercial value of African stories when they are packaged for audiences beyond their country of origin.Netflix’s subsequent acquisition of another South African telenovela, The Four of Us, has further drawn attention to the country’s television production industry. The new series also stars Mtshali and features a cast that includes Sindi Dlathu, Thembinkosi Mthembu, Rami Chuene and other South African actors.
For African producers, streaming platforms can provide access to international audiences while also creating opportunities for actors, writers, directors, cinematographers, editors and other production professionals.However, international streaming success also raises questions about how African production companies can retain value from their intellectual property and build sustainable businesses around locally produced content.
The rise of African series on global streaming charts suggests that audiences are willing to engage with stories rooted in African social realities when those stories are professionally produced and effectively distributed.The development could also encourage more investment in African television production, particularly as streaming companies compete for audiences across different regions.
The Polygamist therefore represents more than a successful television series. Its performance demonstrates how streaming is changing the route through which African stories move from local production sets to international living rooms.
