Blood & Water films in Cape Town for Netflix

Netflix has begun filming its second original African series, Blood & Water, in Cape Town. 

The coming-of-age mystery drama is from Gambit Films and producers Bradley Joshua and Overmeyer. Nosipho Dumisa directs, working alongside co-directors Daryne Joshua and Travis Taute. 

Blood & Water follows 16-year-old Puleng Khumalo as she investigates the cold case of her older sister, who was abducted at birth. Ama Qamata stars as Puleng with Khosi Ngema, Thabang Molaba, Dillon Windvogel and Natasha Thahane. 

The director said of the casting news: “Blood & Water presented us with the opportunity to bring a mixture of fresh new faces alongside seasoned actors. After seeing hundreds of actors and newcomers from both Cape Town and Johannesburg, we’re excited to be a part of opening up the industry.”

Gambit Films, based in Cape Town, has been nominated for seven SAFTAs (South African Film and Television Awards) for their latest feature, Number 37. The company has produced more than 750 hours of television content. 

Blood & Water is the second Netflix African original  - earlier this year the streaming giant announced its backing of South African spy drama Queen Sono, starring South African actor Pearl Thusi.

South Africa is one of the southern hemisphere’s key production hubs with excellent crews, facilities and studios as well as a generous tax incentive. The industry is centred around Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, but the country’s vast and varied landscapes also offer broad scope to double for other world locales.  

For more on filming in South Africa, head to our production guide. 

Photo:MartinaH79/Pixabay.