by Thinus Ferreira
M-Net (DStv 101) is adding a new locally-produced telenovela, Legacy - the channel's first telenovela - from September 2020, that will run multiple episodes per week and revolve around the family in-fighting between the members of a wealthy investment firm clan.
At first glance Legacy seems to be in the line of the abruptly cancelled High Rollers telenovela that was on SABC3 and M-Net's ertwhile drama series Jacob's Cross.
Produced by Phathu Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon of Tshedza Pictures responsible for The River on M-Net's sister-channel 1Magic (DStv 103), Legacy has Trevor Brown as director of photography with Johnny Barbuzano of M-Net's local recent local series Still Breathing, along with Catharine Cooke and Krijay Govender as directors.
M-Net didn't specify an episode order for Legacy, produced as a premium drama series for DStv Premium subscribers, although it's believed to be over 200 episodes with likely 4 episodes that will unspool during a primetime slot per week.
The Legacy cast that has been announced so far includes some legacy soap stars including Michelle Botes of Isidingo and Binnelanders as Angelique, Mary-ann Barlow as Felicity, Kgomotso Christopher of Scandal! and Isidingo as Dineo, Anton David Jeftha as SJ and Deon Lotz as Sebastian.
M-Net released a series description for Legacy saying that it has "startling storylines set in the fast-lane world of investment billionaires".
"Legacy’s locus of conflict is an upmarket investment empire that was established by Sebastian Price, the patriarch of the super-wealthy Price family, decades ago, when he was in his early twenties."
"Now he is a silver fox approaching retirement and it is clear that a family member will soon have to take over the reins. But who will it be? And, at what cost? Sebastian’s bitter ex-wife and ruthless first-born daughter will do whatever it takes to ensure that Sebastian's second wife, Dineo, does not push her playboy son into the position of CEO."
"Of course the power struggle turns nasty. A witches' brew of betrayal, secrets, lies and revenge."
Jan du Plessis, director of M-Net channels, says "Imagine the machiavellian mega-rich characters living dysfunctional lives in the award-winning HBO series Succession in a fresh, distinctly South African context".
"Add a daily dose of The Bold and The Beautiful, colour the concoction with pure escapism in the topical and aspirational style of the best Brazilian telenovelas, and you have Legacy in a nutshell."
"Moving into this popular genre is an exciting step for the channel. We managed to sign up the most acclaimed production company currently working in this field as well as a cast that combines top-flight established soap stars and hottest up-and-coming talent."
"We’re also pulling out all the stops to ensure that Legacy will be remembered for its arresting plots and new ways of filming. Expect all kinds of innovation to cement M-Net and MultiChoice’s reputation as Africa’s most loved storyteller."
