Filming has started in Johannesburg, South Africa on Queen Sono, Netflix's first commissioned Netflix Original series for Africa with the 6-episode spy drama, produced by Diprente, that will likely be released globally on Netflix during 2020.
Rounding out the Queen Sono ensemble cast beyond the already-announced Pearl Thusi are Vuyo Dabula, Enhle Maphumulo, Kate Liquorish, Loyiso Madinga, Sechaba Morojele, Chi Mhende, Rob Van Vuuren, Khathu Ramabulana, Abigail Kubekha, Otto Nobela, Connie Chiume and James Ngcobo.
Pearl Thusi portrays an unconventional spy "working for an undercover South African agency devoted to protecting the people of Africa".
Vuyo Dabula from Generations: The Legacy fame plays Shandu, an ex-spy who has taken a different path, while Sechaba Morojele who starred in Yizo Yizo, Rhythm City and Hard Copy will be seen as Dr Sid, director of the SOG.
Chi Mhende (also previously from Generations: The Legacy), Loyiso Madinga of The Bantu Hour, and comedian Rob Van Vuuren are agents on his team.
Kate Liquorish of The Bantu Hour plays Ekaterina, the heiress of an oligarch family with ulterior motives, while Khathu Ramabulana of Scandal! and Generations plays Queen’s childhood friend, William, now in a relationship with Nova, played by Enhle Maphumulo who previously appeared in Scandal!, Broken Vows and Rockville.
Abigail Kubekha will appear in Queen Sono as Mazet, Queen's beloved Gogo, who has always supported her irrespective of the trouble she might find herself in.
Tamsin Andersson is the executive producer with directors Tebogo Malope and Kagiso Lediga who will both be directing three episodes of Queen Sono each.
While Netflix had the debut of Shadow in March this year, Netflix didn't commission the series but merely acquired the rights to it, making Queen Sono its first real South African produced Netflix Original show.
Netflix has since commissioned another drama series, Blood & Water as a high school set series produced by Gambit Films; as well as an animation series, Mama K's Team 4 produced by Triggerfish Animation Studios and CAKE.
