Murder, secrets, betrayal, family, and the return of the prodigal daughter. A tense and thrilling high-stakes journey as the Ndlovu family rip each other apart to gain power over the Spear empire. This is Netflix’s latest South African offering, Blood Legacy.

Blood Legacy follows the return of Khanyile Adesina (Xolile Tshabalala) to her family home to take over the families’ business as it threatens to collapse under corruption. It is a 20-part adaptation of Mexican telenovela, Morca, available on the streaming platform from Friday, 20 September. This marks it as the first South African telenovela on Netflix with a 20-episode run. Together with the expansive global reach of the show, this cements it as an important contribution to the expansion of South Africa’s rich film and television history.

The show invites South Africans into the world of the uber wealthy. A world of private jets, body guards, fleets of cars, and mega mansions. And the cut throat underworld that sustains this lifestyle. Blood Legacy spotlights the glamour of R7 million horses while confronting you with the ruthless nature of the avaricious characters. It poses, constantly, the question of wealth versus family, and dares you to ‘name your price’.

In its displays of wealth that, far removed from the average South African, Blood Legacy highlights the complexity of South African class and racial politics, bringing to light the stark economic inequality of the country. 

It can only be through rose-coloured, glasses that many viewers will delve into this series that showcases Black people living in luxury and in positions of wealth and power. 

Under the direction of Nozipho Nkelemba, Marvin-Lee Beukes, Nthabiseng Mokoena and Bonnie Sithebe, the star studded cast bring these confrontational and layered characters and social conversations to life.

The cast features, Xolile Tshabalala, Buyile Mdladla, Sello Maake ka-Ncube, Treasure Nkosi, Pallance Dladla, Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa, Tarina Patel, Mike Ndlangamandla, Bonga Dlamini, Dineo Rasedile, Unathi Mkhize, Wiseman Zitha, and Dawn Thandeka King. 

Late mam Connie Chiume, who completes this stellar cast, is described as a brilliant and generous teacher. 

Though it would be easy to hide behind the series’ high production value, this cast did not. 

Unathi Mkhize shares, “You have people pushing each other. You say ‘I’m gonna bring my A-game you better bring yours’. That’s what happened each and every day you would arrive on set. You would witness greatness and so there’s never a day you would come unprepared, you couldn’t afford it. You were gonna be eaten alive in the scene.”

The Blood Legacy team was undeniably diligent in their work. The actors and directors made clear and conscious decisions and very little was left to chance. 

Veteran actress, Dawn Thandeka King also shared the cast’s excitement to shoot in Durban: “I’m happy that we got to experience that as a cast. And also I’m happy that people are going to have to visually look at a different part of South Africa because most things are done in Cape Town [and Johannesburg]. So now we get to have something that is fully shot in KwaZulu-Natal.”

Shot entirely in Durban, Blood Legacy marks an exciting moment to share the beauty of the East Coast with South Africans and Netflix viewers in over 190 countries. The show’s production also made a significant contribution to the Durban and larger KZN film space. Most of the crew was from Durban, an investment bound to expand the local film industry. 

Stepping into the Michelangelo Towers for the official premier of this production was like walking into a luncheon right out of the show’s decadent world. The cast was stunningly styled by Lesego Kgosimolao. The menu echoed the glamour and opulence of the Ndlovu lifestyle. Looking out to the Magaliesberg Mountain range from the sprawling heights of Sandton, it felt like the world was at our fingertips. Close enough to touch but never to hold. 

This show is set to be an enticing taste into the world of the 1%, a thrilling yet sobering glance at the upper class in our country. And if you enjoy a brilliant corporate drama, you’ll certainly enjoy watching the Ndlovu family tear each other down on their way to the top. If only because it’s done with such class.

Nounouche Contributor: Toby iMpendulo kaNgomane