MultiChoice’s video streaming platform, Showmax, is set to produce a South African adaptation of the popular American comedy series Superstore in isiZulu. This exciting project is being created by Barkers Media.
In addition to this adaptation, work is ongoing on an Afrikaans version of The Office, produced by Rapid Blue and licensed from BBC Studios, which will air on both Showmax and kykNET (DStv 144). The collaboration between MultiChoice and NBCUniversal Formats aims to bring a distinctly South African interpretation of Superstore to the audience.
Production for this Showmax Original is slated to begin this year. The American version of Superstore, featuring stars America Ferrera and Ben Feldman, follows the lives of employees at the fictitious Cloud 9 retail chain, and all six seasons are available for streaming on Showmax.
This South African adaptation marks the second non-English version of Superstore, following the success of Supertitlán, a Latin adaptation produced in Mexico.
Barkers Media, known for its work on shows like Killer Front Page, Shebeen Queens, and The Bala Family, is enthusiastic about this new project. Nicola van Niekerk, MultiChoice’s executive head of programming, expressed her excitement, stating, “We’re on Cloud 9. I laughed through every episode of Superstore and can’t wait to see how the funny and lovable characters are reimagined in our complex country.”
Reneilwe Sema, co-executive producer at Barkers Media, shared, “We are proud to be producing the first African version of Superstore for Showmax.” Mpho Lengane, a co-executive producer at Barkers Media, added, “The format is globally recognized and adored, and we’re excited to infuse it with a uniquely South African flavour.”
Hannah Mabruk, vice president for format sales at NBCUniversal Formats, emphasized the show’s universal appeal: “Superstore resonates with audiences around the world due to its undeniable humour and themes of community and friendship in the workplace. We are thrilled to collaborate with Showmax and Barkers Media to showcase these lovable characters in a fresh and exciting South African context.”
