Ivorian drama series Castes, les amours interdites (Castes, Forbidden Loves) is moving into its first international distribution window, with TV5MONDE making the 60-part production available to audiences beyond Côte d’Ivoire through its global streaming platform, TV5MONDE+.
The program will also be available on TV5MONDE Afrique starting 26 October 2026, airing four episodes every Monday at 9 p.m. This will make it easier to reach both Francophone African and international audiences for the Ivorian production, while viewers get local long-form drama.
Running to 60 × 26-minute episodes, Castes, les amours interdites is a co-production between private Ivorian broadcaster NCI (La Nouvelle Chaîne Ivoirienne) and Orange Côte d’Ivoire, with TV5MONDE involved through a pre-buy arrangement. Abidjan-based Lully Grace Production, headed by filmmaker and producer Franck Vléhi, oversaw executive production.
The story centres on the Koulibaly family, led by patriarch Lamine, whose approach to marriage and business is shaped by family interests, tradition and control. As his children pursue relationships outside the alliances he has planned for them, tensions escalate. The arrival of a second wife further complicates questions around loyalty, inheritance and authority within the family.
Vléhi co-directs the series with Jean-Jules Porquet, from a script by Emery Noudjiep. The ensemble cast includes Shayana Acquah, Stéphane Aly, Landry Gnamba, Bienvenue Koffi, Beda Pélagie, Issaka Sawadogo and Stéphane Sebime.
This international launch comes after the show’s local premiere on 19 January 2026. NCI rolled out the drama on its television platform, while Orange Côte d’Ivoire featured it on its Max-it platform and television channels.
For producers and distributors, the TV5MONDE launch shows how well-established African media outlets can provide more international opportunities for local scripted productions.
