*Actress Pearl Thusi, who starred as series regular Dayana Mampasi in ABC’s “Quantico”, has landed the lead role in Netflix’s first South African original series, “Queen Sono,” according to Deadline.
Thusi will play a highly trained spy in a South African agency in the series and she noted of the project, “It’s going to change the game for every artist on this continent. I cannot wait for every young woman, every woman on this continent and on this planet to meet Queen Sono. We’ve worked so hard for this.”
Netflix announced on Monday that the series will start production in 2019.
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‘Quantico’ Star Pearl Thusi To Lead ‘Queen Sono’, Netflix’s First African Original Series https://t.co/TB5WGvn40R pic.twitter.com/sOmkhHO8ej
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) December 10, 2018
“#QueenSono—Africa’s first Netflix original! A thrilling story about a kickass female spy. Can’t wait for you guys to see what we have in store for you!” wrote Thusi on her Twitter account.
Netflix South Africa’s account retweeted her, writing: “That’s right! A Netflix first for Africa. Pearl Thusi as #QueenSono coming to your screens in 2019.”
The new series will reportedly be helmed by local actor and director Kagiso Legida who directed Thusi in the South African hit film “Catching Feelings”, which is also available on Netflix.
“We are excited to be working with Kagiso and Pearl, to bring the story of Queen Sonoto life, and we expect it to be embraced by our South African users and global audiences alike,” said Netflix’s vice president of international originals Erik Barmack. He told South African news site Independent Online that the streaming giant planned to do more original productions on the continent.
“Over time our roots will get deeper in Africa and South Africa, and we’re moving pretty quickly to that now, and plan to invest more in local content,” he said.
“Netflix also wants to be a place where local content creators can tell their stories to a global audience.”
“We are delighted to create this original series with Netflix, and are super excited by their undeniable ability to take this homegrown South African story to a global audience. We believe Queen Sono will kick the door open for more awesome stories from this part of the world,” added Kagiso Lediga.
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