M-Net revives Rockville for a 5th season on Mzansi Magic after DStv subscribers 'showed that there is still a longing' for the Ferguson Films drama series.

by Thinus Ferreira

M-Net has decided to revive the Rockville drama series after five years with a new 5th season of the Ferguson Films series that is set to return to Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) in 2021 promising a refreshed and expanded story with new actors joining some of the established characters.

"I can confirm that Rockville is returning. For now, we are still sorting out the contractual agreements," Philly Kubheka, the head of publicity at Mzansi Magic, tells TVwithThinus.  

Rockville executive produced by Connie and Shona Ferguson and who also both had on-screen roles, launched in May 2013 on Mzansi Magic and ran for 4 seasons until 2016, contrasting the worlds of Johannesburg's glitzy northern suburbs and the Bogatsus family, with the streets of Soweto where the working class Mabasos family lives.

Rockville was the first project from Ferguson Films and the first executive producing TV vehicle for the Ferguson showrunners pair, in addition to being the first drama series for Mzansi Magic.

Although Rockville was never officially cancelled, although ratings dipped over time, it was pushed from the Mzansi Magic schedule in favour of other newer projects over the past decade from Ferguson Films like iGazi, The Gift, The Throne, The Herd, The Queen and The Imposter. In 2020 they produced the drama series Kings of Joburg for Netflix.

About why Rockville is being revived, Philly Kubheka says that DStv subscribers "showed that there is still a longing for Rockville. That is precisely why we are bringing back this local content on our screens".

Filming on the new 5th season has started although some Rockville contractual agreements are still being sorted out. Several new faces are expected to join some of the actors who will be returning to familiar roles for an expanded new storyline.

"We’re looking forward to welcoming the squad that started it all back and introducing new and exciting characters and talent. More details about the cast of Rockville season 5 will be announced," says Connie Ferguson.

Black TV producer Shona Ferguson slams South Africa's TV industry; says 'you are disrespected'; 'white producers are never disrespected by black folks'.

The successful black TV producer Shona Ferguson has slammed South Africa's TV and film industry, saying black producers are "disrespected and ill-treated for doing good" and that "white producers are never disrespected by black folks".

It's not clear what prompted the actor-producer's statement on Friday evening on social media.

Shona Ferguson's public lashing over the perceived disrespect that black TV producers endure, however comes exactly a day after all of the highly rated productions from Ferguson Films were completely snubbed by the 11th South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) that's set to take place in March at Sun City.

The 2017 Saftas is once again being embroiled in a boycott by South African TV producers who slammed the awards show organised by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) for its apparent lack of transparency and problems with the judging process.

In addition, a very glaring snub is Ferguson Films whose top shows like The Queen, Rockville and Igazi on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) were all shut out.

While The Queen, Rockville and Igazi as premium locally produced programming draw huge ratings for MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform on the M-Net packaged channel - meaning they are shows that viewers love and watch in droves - none of these series, its crews or casts are included for any recognition this year in any of the nominee categories at the 2017 Saftas. 

In a series of tweets on Friday evening, with no indication as to why he's saying so, Shona Ferguson who co-own Ferguson Films with his actress-producer wife Connie Ferguson, highlighted race issues in South Africa's TV and film industry and perceived ill-treatment.

"Don't focus on the flash and think it's been an easy ride. In fact it gets harder every day. Being a black producer is not easy," said Shona Ferguson.

"You are disrespected and ill-treated for doing good, creating jobs and giving people opportunities to do what they love and earn a living.

"You work hard to contribute to the industry and grow it, but it's the very people that you give these opportunities to that spit in your face. White producers are never disrespected by black folks. It's sad that it's our brothers and sisters who wish you ill because you are doing well."

"It's about the work. Connie and I, through Ferguson Films, have been delivering A+, because we work hard. We love and appreciate what we do."

"We are very grateful. We are not asking for special treatment. All I ask is you give us the same respect you give the white producers."

"This is a very small industry. Be careful how you treat people and how you behave. When you are out of work tomorrow, just know it's all on you," said Shona Ferguson, adding that "I just want to make great TV and films".

Connie Ferguson is the queen in Mzansi Magic's new telenovela, The Queen, produced by Ferguson Films, that will 'strip bare the rich's insatiable lust for power''.

Connie Ferguson is proving why she's the queen of South African television; the soap star turned TV producer will appear next in her second role and producer credit in Mzansi Magic's The Queen from August.

The Queen, a new telenovela from Ferguson Films starting on 1 August on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) at 21:00 has Connie Ferguson in the lead role as the high-powered executive Harriet Khoza, together with stars like Senzo Ngqobe, Loyiso McDonald, Mbali Nkosi, SK Khoza, Themba Ndaba, Natasha Thahane.

The Queen also sees Connie Ferguson and Sello Maake Ka-Ncube reunite on-screen who thrilled viewers for years as the sister-brother pair Karabo and Archie Moroka in SABC1's Generations while Sophie Ndaba was Queen Moroka.

Now it's Connie Ferguson's turn to play the queen after producing and starring in seasons of her and husband Shona Ferguson's Rockville.

It is in fact the additional Mzansi Magic commissioning and workload of The Queen that saw Connie Ferguson dump Generations earlier this year where she took up her old role of Karabo again for two years after the SABC and Mfundi Vundla fired the principal cast.

In The Queen, Connie Ferguson will be seen as a successful business woman whose husband is hiding a big secret.

When his secret is revealed, it forces the character of Harriet - a dedicated wife and mother -  to "do the unthinkable" in this new telenovela that will "strip bare the insatiable lust for power among the rich and the victims who find themselves at their mercy".

Besides producing Rockville and The Queen for Mzansi Magic, Ferguson Films is also responsible for the channel's viewership hit Igazi.

Connie Ferguson dumps SABC1's Generations - again - as the actress says the productions of her Ferguson Films needs her 'undivided attention'.

Connie Ferguson is dumping SABC1's Generations - The Legacy - the second time she's exiting the Mfundi Vundla created weekday prime time soap.

Connie Ferguson who runs Ferguson Films with her husband Shona Ferguson, dropped Generations in April 2010 after 16 years but returned in late 2014 to help the relaunched Generations - The Legacy which never regained the soap's erstwhile popularity and viewership ratings.

Meanwhile Connie Ferguson who've started her own production company together with Shona Ferguson executive produced and starred in the drama Rockville for M-Net's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and is branching out with new Mzansi Magic drama Igazi.

Connie Ferguson basically returned for a year and a half to try and steady the retooled Generations - The Legacy but now she is leaving although exiting scenes have not been filmed yet.

Viewers, some fellow actors and industry insiders branded Connie Ferguson a so-called "sell-out" for returning to work on a South African TV production that they feel is exploiting actors and on-screen talent, after the firing of Generations' 16-actor principal cast in 2014 after they demanded better contracts.

"It is with great disappointment that we have to announce the departure of the much-loved Karabo Moroka, played by the talented Connie Ferguson," says the soap in a statement.

"She's working on a couple of projects that need her undivided attention and has asked to be released from her contract."

"Connie was a significant figure in the construction of Generations - The Legacy. I will be eternally grateful for that and her contribution to the growth of our industry," says Mfundi Vundla.

"Karabo is one character that set tongues wagging and her exit will be no different".

Rockville back for a 2nd season on Mzansi Magic from 9 February; 'will push boundaries to deliver an even better season,' says Connie Ferguson.

Rockville returns for a second season of 10 episodes to Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) from 9 February at 20:00 and will "push the boundaries to deliver an even better season," says executive producer Connie Ferguson.

"Rockville's second season is darker, edgier and sexy," says Shona Ferguson, who is again executive producing the drama series with his wife. "Everyone brought their best to the table from cast to crew."

Clint Brink from e.tv's soap Scandal! is joining the Rockville cast as Trevor, as well as Masego "Maps" Maponyane who plays TK. Tango Ncetezo, Owen Sejake and Stephanie Schildknecht are also new to the second season.

"The high calibre of acting talent that is joining the already acclaimed cast is testament to the show's impact within the acting community of Mzansi," says Yolisa Phahle, M-Net's director for local interest channels.

"We're thrilled to welcome back Rockville to Mzansi Magic and are confident that the second season will consolidate the channels commitment to taking South African television to the next level in terms of  relevance, compelling entertainment and production values."

The second season of Rockville picks up following the shooting of Shona Ferguson's character Jackson "JB" Bogatsu by Mavis Mabaso (Connie Ferguson).

Its an interesting twist on the final episode of M-Net's soap The Wild in which Shona Ferguson's character was also shot (but died) as Connie Ferguson's character held him in her arms.

JB is now however alive and is fighting for his life on the surgeon's table.                                                                                                                                       

FIRST LOOK. Rockville on Mzansi Magic starting on Wednesday 19 June at 19:00 for a first season of 10 episodes.

Connie Ferguson told me last week in Johannesburg that Rockville, the new TV drama produced by her, her real-life husband Shona Ferguson and Bobby Heaney who all worked together on The Wild will start on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on Wednesday 19 June at 19:00 for 10 episodes, and Mzansi Magic is now confirming this.

As I've reported last month Rockville was produced by Ferguson Films, Connie and Shona Ferguson's first foray into television as TV producers. Bobby Heaney is executive producer and Johnny Barbuzano is the director.

Last week Connie Ferguson told me that it was interesting and challenging to move behind the camera. "Suddenly you're the one everyone runs to with problems and challenges and unforeseen questions. 'How do I do this?' 'What happens with that?' and you have to come up with answers as quickly as possible to solve technical and production challenges," Connie Ferguson told me.

Rockville which would have been 13 episodes, will only have a first season of 10 episodes, but could be renewed for further seasons, depending on how viewers respond. The Rockville cast consists out of Trevor Gumbi, Mbali Mlotshwa, Bonnie Mbuli, Luthuli Dlamini, Minnie Dlamini and Boity Thulo.

"Rockville underlines Mzansi Magic's committment to producing quality entertainment, with a focus on story and production values," says Yolisa Phahle, M-Net's director for local interest channels in a statement.

"Mzansi Magic's mission is to provide a range of South African stories that present the diversity of life in our country today, whilst giving fresh talent the opportunity to work with industry stalwarts and learn from their experience. This partnership between Ferguson Films and Bobby Heaney is a prime example of this commitment," says Yolisa Phahle.

As I've reported, Rockville's setting is a middle class suburb in Johannesburg, as well as a working class Soweto and Club Venus in Rosebank, the nexus where the two worlds collide.

Rockville revolves around the student Lindi Mabaso (Mbali Mlotshwa) growing up in a poor Soweto household where the mother is Mavis Mabaso (Connie Ferguson).

On the other side is JB Bogatsu (Shona Ferguson) who lives in Waterfall Estate. Prostitution comes into play, and Lindi has to confront various difficult characters and situations.

Rockville will have a repeat on Mondays at 21:30 after every Wednesday's primetime episode.                                                                                                                   

Rockville will try to rock as a new drama series on Mzansi Magic as the first TV drama of Connie and Shona Ferguson's Ferguson Films.

Everybody is tight-lipped but Ferguson Films will try to rock with its new drama series Rockville set to start on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) within months with husband-actors-producers couple Shona Ferguson and Connie Ferguson not only producing the drama series but also appearing in it.

Don't look for an on-screen reunion after Shona Ferguson's character literally died in the arms of Connie Ferguson's character in the shockingly negative and tragic ending of The Wild on M-Net at the end of March - they made a conscious decision not to appear in any scenes in Rockville together.

Rockville which had the working title of Black Diamonds and which is being produced by Ferguson Films revolves around two feuding families living in different places, similar to the Mzansi Magic telenovelas isiBaya and iNkaba.

In Rockville one family lives in Soweto (where Rockville is of course to be found) and the other in a leafy suburb.

Rockville's cast includes Minnie Dlamini, Luthuli Dlamini, Gail Nkoane, Boity Thulo, Bonnie Henna and Trevor Gumbi. Filming of the first season of Rockville ended on 2 April.

Mzansi Magic currently isn't able to give me a definite starting date for Rockville, doesn't want to officially reveal any actors in the show, or talk about the show at all.