Netwerk24 orders Op en Af as a second Afrikaans streaming soap; 65 webisode comedy series produced by Jester Productions and VIA will start in February 2020.

Media24's Afrikaans TV channel VIA is producing a second online video streaming soap, Op en af (Up and down), for the Netwerk24 portal that will play out in daily episodes from 3 February 2020.

The comedy of 65 episodes written by Leon Kruger and produced by Jester Productions of Diaan Lawrenson and Jody Abrahams, follows after Die Testament drama that marked Netwerk24's entry into Afrikaans online TV series. 

"The soap is about ordinary people who are a little bit eccentric and holds up a mirror," says Diaan Lawrenson. All the couples live in the same apartment building and are seemingly friends - although viewers later see that their interactions are loaded with jealousy and competition, and sugar-coated with some gossip."

The Op en af cast include Charlton George as André Mouton and Quanita Adams as his wife Bev who have been married the longest although Bev is hiding a secret life, while Neels van Jaarsveld's character Frans du Plessis dabbles as a stock broker and Nadia Valvekens' (Leande du Plessis) character is an online vlogger.

Marlo Minnaar and Nicole Fortuin play the recently-married Charlie and Ilse Daniels who are trying but struggling to get pregnant. Diaan Lawrenson also appears on-screen as Christelle, Bev's best friend.

Netwerk24 will roll out episodes of Op en af as 5-minute webisodes with a new episode on weekdays at 8:00 between 3 February and the end of April 2020.

"The reaction to our first soap, Die Testament, surpassed our expectations," says Henriëtte Loubser, Netwerk24 editor. "It's clear that such instant viewing enjoyment in Afrikaans is a format that resonates with Netwerk24's audience."

"While Die Testament had a dramatic approach our second soap is humoristic and provides a whole new experience."

Similar to Die Testament episodes of Op en Af will remain available on Netwerk24 indefinitely with subscribers who can watch a new episode daily or the omnibus over weekends. Eventually the entire series of 65 episodes will be available to binge watch.

Izelle Venter, VIA channel boss says "When we watched the first episodes and the actors felt completely like your friends on a Friday night we became really excited. We believe that Netwerk24 viewers will be just as excited over our new soap from the producers-duo Diaan Lawrenson and Jody Abrahams".

New e.tv local drama series, Heist, inspired by the real-life Justin Bieber concert cash heist in 2013 as e.tv says it wants to bring 'more action, edge' to the channel.

e.tv's new series, Heist, set to start on Tuesday 9 February at 21:30 is a ripped-from-the-headlines drama taking its inspiration from the May 2013 Justin Bieber concert cash heist when robbers staged a daring smash and grab and stole millions after a carefully planned break-in at the FNB Stadium.

Heist, produced by Matatiele production company Branded Soul with director Rolie Nikiwe, is filmed in the Alexandra township and the new series is inspired by the shocking and daring cash heist that took place near Soweto in 2013.

Heist, described by e.tv as an action thriller and starring actors Jerry Mofokeng, Jody Abrahams, Wright Ngubeni, Meshack Mavuso, Kenneth Nkosi, Warren Masemola and Mbali Ka Ngwenya, will portray the social and economic challenges faced by South Africans and will replace Z'bondiwe in the 21:30 timeslot from 9 February.

Although dealing with poverty and South Africa's societal challenges, e.tv says Heist won't be glamourising violence or crime.

What eventually happens is that the various characters who decide to pull off a heist immediately after a concert at a stadium, eventually turn on each other as the pursuit of money change them, proving that a life of crime never pays off.

Heist starts when an old man, Talent (Jerry Mofokeng) gets fired from his job as stadium grass cutter of more than 20 years, triggering anger and revenge. He then forms a gang of five men and one woman to pull of the daring heist.

"e.tv will continue to ensure that our viewers are kept entertained," says Monde Twala, managing director of e.tv's channels division about Heist.

"Local story telling is a key pillar for our prime time line-up and we are committed to deliver an innovative mix of programming able to resonate well within our broad audience base. Our viewers are in for a fascinating 2016 prime time line-up," says Monde Twala.

"In 2016 our viewers will enjoy more innovative and diverse local content. We want to bring more action, edge and thrill to the channel".