Netflix reveals year's content slate at Next on Netflix 2025 including new South African films and series

by Thinus Ferreira

On Thursday Netflix revealed more information about its upcoming slate of films and series for 2025, as well as a sizzle reel in which a character moves through various Netflix content.

"We're not just one thing. We’re the best of film, TV, documentaries, stand-up, animation and live events - and we're doing it in 50 languages," said Bela Bajaria, Netflix's chief content officer.

"We're not afraid to make big bets on compelling voices and new ideas - whether it's a plot twist, an original story, or a big live moment."

"That's what Netflix is all about. Bold choices. Creativity. Surprises. Fandom. Entertaining the world. That's what keeps our members coming back week after week, month after month, year after year. And that's what we'll be doing in 2025."

Netflix's upcoming slate of new South African films include Semi-Soeter, a follow-up of the Afrikaans film Semi-Soet, as a romantic comedy directed by Joshua Rous and produced by Anel Alexander and Zandré Coetzer.

Meet the Khumalos, a new family film, is written, directed and produced by Jayan Moodley who created the Kandasamys family comedy franchise.

A new Afrikaans drama series, Tuiskoms, is also coming to Netflix South Africa and will debut on 28 February, produced by Infinity Films.

A new drama series Go!, produced by Ten30Films with Kutlwano Ditsele as creator and producer will be released on Netflix on 21 March, with directors Thuli Zuma and Tristan Holmes.

The Go! cast includes Thandolwethu Zondi, Wonder Ndlovu, Dawn Thandeka King, Wiseman Ncube and Katlego Danke. 

A third season of Kings of Jo'Burg from Ferguson Films will debut on Netflix in 2025 as well featuring Connie Ferguson and Zolisa Xaluva, as well as the second season of Unseen featuring Gail Mabalane, Dineo Langa, Waldemar Schultz, Ilse Klink and Siv Ngesi.

Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds is a new documentary film.

American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden is another new documentary series.

Chaos: The Manson Murders is a new documentary film.

Netflix released a clip for Apple Cider Vinegar, a series about two young women who advocate for wellness remedies to cure deadly diseases, who see their lives unravel as they unknowingly - and knowingly - mislead the world:

The unscripted series, Court of Gold, about Serbia's basketball team, got a clip:

Netflix will release the second part of the first season of Tyler Perry's Beauty, and part 3 of the 6th season of Cobra Kai.

Also coming in 2025 are the American historical drama series Death by Lightning, the animated series Death May Cry, the third season of the drama series The Diplomat, as well as new drama series Tyler Perry's She The People.

The documentary film, Eddie, is about Eddie Murphy, while Everybody's Live with John Mulaney is a new weekly talk show which will do live episodes globally from 12 March.

The film The Electric State got a new clip:

Fear Street: Prom Queen is a new film coming to Netflix in 2025, and Forever is a new American drama series:

Frankenstein is a new film, and there will be the third season of Ginny & Georgia.

 

Gone Girls: The Long Island serial killer and Katrina: Come Hell or High Water are two new documentary series also coming to Netflix this year, with Pangolin: Kulu's Journey that is a new documentary film of which this first-look photo was released:

Titan is another new documentary film:

Other new Netflix films include Happy Gilmore 2, Kinda Pregnant, Havoc, R&B, In Your Dreams, RIP and The Woman in Cabin 10.

The Leopard is a new international drama series making its debut in 2025 on Netflix, and it got a trailer:

Tyler Perry's film Madea's Destination Wedding was announced as a tile, and released a first-look photo:

Streamer unveils global programming for 2025 at Netflix International Showcase including French Love Is Blind, more Physical 100 and Shah Rukh Khan series from India

by Thinus Ferreira

Netflix held its first ever Netflix International Showcase in Los Angeles for its non-English global content, announcing a raft of new international content coming in 2025 and that its next live-streamed event would be two American NFL games on Christmas Day, including Beyonce's halftime show during the Houston vs Baltimore game.

"Many people assume that the easiest way to program for such a huge audience is to make global hits that everyone can enjoy. Once in a rare while, that’s the goal, but mostly it’s not," Bela Bajaria, Netflix chief content officer, told the media.

Netflix is doing another localised version of Love Is Blind, Love is Blind: France which will be released in 2025 and be Netflix's 11th version of the show.

Reality series Physical 100 has been renewed for a third season, entitled Physical 100: Asia, and will now have contestants from across Asia.

India's Shah Rukh Khan is doing an as-yet-untitled series for Netflix set inside Bollywood, produced by his Red Chillies Entertainment.

"Set against the backdrop of the film industry, this multi-genre project promises an audacious, unabashed, entertaining ride through the adventures of a charming, ambitious outsider navigating the glitzy yet tricky world of Bollywood," is Netflix's description of this series.

"This series blends a high-stakes narrative with self-aware humour, featuring blockbuster cameos and larger-than-life characters for an unforgettable, tongue-in-cheek take on Indian cinema."

In Italy Netflix produced The Leopard, One Hundreds Years of Solitude (pictured) in Colombia, Senna in Brazil, as well as The Last Samurai Standing in Japan.

From Spain comes El Refugio Atómico and Alcatraz (docuseries), with the second season of Squid Game from South Korea that will be released on Netflix on 26 December.

Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight from France is a limited animated family series. Atrapados is a limited crime drama series from Argentina and Celda 211 from Mexico tells the story of a human rights attorney who gets trapped in prison during a riot.

Germany's The Empress gets a second season.

Asian series on Netflix that have been renewed for further seasons include Japan's Alice in Borderland for a third season, India's Delhi Crime getting a third season, Kuwait's The Exchange getting a second season, as well as India's Heeramandi and Rana Naidu both getting second seasons.

BREAKING. Netflix saves Manifest, picks up mystery drama series for a 20-episode final 4th season that will move from DStv and M-Net to the video streamer.

by Thinus Ferreira

Netflix has taken over the cancelled Manifest for a 4th and final season of 20-episodes that means that the mystery drama series will move from MultiChoice's M-Net (DStv 101) to the global video streamer with viewers who will have to make the switch if they want to see the conclusion of the series.

Netflix has already picked up previous Manifest seasons from NBC, with NBC that cancelled the Warner Bros.-produced drama series in May this year.

Manifest with Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and Athena Karkanis. details the discovery process of the "survivors" after a plane flying from Jamaica to New York City mysteriously disappeared and then lands 5 years after takeoff although no time had passed for those aboard.

Those who were aboard as well as those who knew them, try to adjust to their return as they puzzle out the secret of what really happened.

On Saturday afternoon, that was 8:28 am in the United States and a play on the fateful fictional Montego Air Flight 828, Netflix announced that it has picked it up and "renewed" Manifest for a 4th and final season of 20-episodes - it's longest season yet.

The 20-episode season will very likely be split into batches off episodes, released in chunks over spread out periods.

"What started years ago as a flight of fancy deep in my imagination has evolved into the jet engine journey of a lifetime," says Jeff Rake, Manifest showrunner.

"Never in my wildest dreams could I have envisioned the worldwide outpouring of love and support for this story, its characters, and the team who work so hard to bring it all to life."

"That we will be able to reward the fans with the ending they deserve moves me to no end. On behalf of the cast, the crew, the writers, directors, and producers, thank you to Netflix, to Warner Bros., and of course to the fans. You did this."

Bela Bajaria, Netflix head of global TV, in a statement says "Since its premiere on Netflix in June, Manifest has proven very popular with our members".

"Jeff Rake and his team have crafted a beguiling mystery that has viewers around the world on the edge of their seats and believing again in second chances, and we're thrilled that they will bring fans some closure with this final super-sized season."

Netflix renews Shonda Rhimes period drama Bridgerton for a 3rd and 4th season as production of the second season is underway.

by Thinus Ferreira

Netflix has renewed Shonda Rhimes' Regency-era London-set period drama Bridgerton for two further season - a third and a fourth - shortly after it announced the renewal for a second season in January.

Production on the second season of Bridgerton is currently underway, with the new season that will focus on Lord Anthony Bridgerton's search for true love, with actor Rege-Jean Page who has now exited the series and his character of the Duke of Hastings.

Bridgerton is based on Julia Quinn’s best-selling series of novels and takes place within the Regency-era world of London's so-called upper-crust "ton".

It's here where a group of siblings try to navigate the social interaction rules obsessed community of 19th century London as they try to find love and romance.

"From the first time I read Julia Quinn’s delicious Bridgerton series, I knew these were stories that would captivate a viewing audience," says Shonda Rhimes in a statement.

"But the evolution of this adaptation would not be a success without the many significant contributions of the entire Shondaland team."

"This two-season pickup is a strong vote of confidence in our work and I feel incredibly grateful to have partners as collaborative and creative as Netflix. Betsy and I are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue bringing the world of Bridgerton to a worldwide audience."

Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s vice president of global TV, says in the statement that "Bridgerton swept us off our feet".

"The creative team, led by Shonda, knew the material and delivered a beautiful, emotional, romantic drama for our members."

"They have some exciting plans for the future, and we think audiences will continue to swoon for this show. We're planning to be in the Bridgerton business for a long time to come."

ALSO READ: Lady Whistledown's Society Papers reveals that Bridgerton on Netflix has been renewed for a second season with production starting in March 2021.