STUDIOCANAL has announced that Shaka iLembe, South Africa’s most-watched and most-decorated drama series, is heading to the global market.
The studio will launch international sales at MIPCOM 2026 in Cannes, while revealing a first look at Season 3, titled Shaka iLembe: Zulu King, on October 1, 2026.
Produced by Bomb Productions for MultiChoice, a CANAL+ company, the isiZulu-language drama tells the origin story of King Shaka kaSenzangakhona.
The international push marks the first time buyers outside Africa can access the franchise. Season 3 will premiere soon in Africa, while international sales for the new season will begin at London Screenings 2027.
Shaka iLembe’s record-breaking run
Across its first two seasons, Shaka iLembe became the highest-rated drama in DStv history.
The series was also South Africa’s most-searched TV series in 2023 and set a SAFTA record with 12 wins in a single year, including Best Drama Series.
Its opening week drew 3.6 million viewers, making it the best result for a MultiChoice-produced drama at the time.
Lemogang Tsipa has played the adult King Shaka, a role that invited comparisons with the late Henry Cele’s defining 1986 portrayal.
Nomzamo Mbatha plays Queen Nandi and also serves as an executive producer.
The production has also drawn on historical expertise. As we reported during its launch, the team consulted historians, academics and descendants to help maintain the story’s authenticity.
What Shaka iLembe Season 3 brings
Season 3 picks up four years after Season 2.
Shaka’s kingdom has established dominance across Southern Africa, but now faces British expansion and growing European influence.
The story also expands to include Moshoeshoe’s Basotho Kingdom, King Faku’s Mpondo Kingdom and the settlement of Port Natal. Queen Nandi and Shaka’s aunt Mkabayi remain central to the story.
New cast members include Lerato Mvelase as Queen Mpikase, Aiden Scott as Henry Francis Fynn, Conrad Kemp as Lt. Francis Farewell and Wonder Ndlovu as Prince Mpande.
Taking African storytelling global
Desireé Markgraaff, the series’ executive producer, said the team set out to portray Africa “with the dignity, complexity and humanity it deserves.”
CANAL+ Africa’s Nomsa Philiso said the international launch showed that cultural authenticity and global appeal can work together.
The series has already reached Francophone Africa through CANALAfrique+ MAGIC, with 24 episodes across its first two seasons.
It also represents MultiChoice’s largest single investment in a local production and has created more than 20,000 jobs across production.
