M-Net agrees partnership deal with Cinemax and ZDF to air new local drama series worldwide
Pan-African television network M-Net seized a partnership deal with ‘Germany’s public broadcaster ZDF and Cinemax to offer the television version of Deon Meyer’s crime novel, Trackers, to the world with the aim of marking the beginning of a new era in high-end African storytelling. In 2018, M-Net sealed a groundbreaking partnership deal with Germany’s public broadcaster ZDF. Now, M-Ne can confirm that the crime thriller co-produced by Cinemax, will offer the drama series globally beyond M-Net and ZDF’s geographical broadcasting area.
Speaking on the deals, Yolisa Phahle, the CEO of General Entertainment of MultiChoice disclosed that “The massively and trailblazing exciting co-production of Trackers describes M–’Net’s commitment and vision to shine the spotlight on the African film and television industry and provide fresh, proudly African narratives to our viewers as well as worldwide audiences. It’s also an attempt to enhance our relationship with Cinemax to the next level, allowing local and international talent to combine their world-class story-telling and production skills.”
While M-Net is already the home of Cinemax and its sister network HBO, offering viewers to enjoy mind-blowing series such as Westworld, Big Little Lies, Game of Thrones and many more, HBO, Cinemax and M-Net also launched an innovative Producers Apprenticeship programme previous year when the Cinemax series Warrior, coming to M-Net in July, was premiere in South Africa. Some other Cinemax originals accessible on M-Net include Strike Back, The Knick, and Banshee.
“Cinemax is excited to collaborate with M-Net and ZDF in bringing Deon Meyer’s unforgettable characters and African storytelling—all so richly rooted in the people and spectacular geography of South Africa—to screens worldwide,” says Len Amato, president, HBO Films, Miniseries, and Cinemax.
The production for Trackers has already begun in exotic locations across length and breadth of South Africa, and the co-production allies have been collaborating together on all areas of production – from developing and casting to uniting the crew and approving the final content.
Master wordsmith Deon Meyer, whose multiple-award-winning crime novels have been transcribed into over 20 languages, with millions of copies sold globally, serves as a supervising co-producer and screenwriter; British writer Robert Thorogood (Death in Paradise) is the showrunner. The crew of South African writers on the project includes writer/directors Kelsey Egen and Jozua Malherbe and the accomplished Mitchell’s Plain playwright, screenwriter and director Amy Jephta (Die Ellen Pakkies Story).
“Trackers is an unprecedented scripted television venture and M-Net and MultiChoice are proud to chart out new boundaries with all the game-changing members involved in this co-production,” Phahle concludes.
A talented local and international cast is on the bill for the six-part miniseries, some of which include James Alexander, Rolanda Marais, Ed Stoppard, and Thapelo Mokoena.
Trackers will make its debut on M-Net 101 in October 2019 and will also be accessible on MultiChoice’s popular on-demand service, Showmax. The six-part drama series is produced by UK production company Three River Studios as well as South Africa’s Scene 23.
