Charmaine Bengoa (“The Good Fight”) and Nkeki Obi-Melekwe (“Tina-The Tina Turner Musical”) have been added to Showtime’s “King Shaka” cast as regular cast for the series, the network announced Thursday. Tony Kgorog (“Invictus”), Cindy Dalatto (“River”) and Bahl Hadby (“Bone of My Bones”) will guest in recurring roles.
According to their character descriptions, Bingwa will portray Ezi, a powerful and extremely capable warrior whose loyalty is challenged after receiving a fateful confrontation. Obi-Melekwe will play The Locust Queen, a mysterious leader of an immigrant tribe of outcasts who gives herself an advantage by utilizing her deep knowledge of the spiritual realm.
Kgoroge will become the guest star in the role of Chief Senzangakhona, the proud leader of the Zulu people who denies the right of a born Shaka; Dlathu as Inyoni, council president and midwife; Hadibe is like Cheb Shaka.
The group joins previously announced cast members Charles Babalola as King Shaka; Thapelo Mokoenaas as Gendeyana, a Qwabe leader who grows near Shaka and Nandi; Warren Massimola (“Queen Sono”) as Magazwa, who provides safe haven for Shaka and Nandi but at a cost, Aïssa Maïga (“Fear Index”) as Nandi, Shaka’s devoted mother who will sacrifice everything to fulfill her son’s destiny; and Thando DIomo (“The Woman King”) as Pampatha, a patroness who finds her fate forever linked to Chaka.
The epic drama tells the story of King Shaka’s personal journey from his disgraced childhood to a legendary king. Born the outcast son of the Zulu king, his unexpected rise to power and eventual feat of uniting multiple tribes across vast swathes of Africa in the early 19th century propelled his monarchy to become a legend.
Production is set to begin this month in King Shaka’s hometown, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. The series will be filmed entirely in South Africa and is scheduled to premiere on Showtime in 2023.
“King Shaka” was created and executive produced by Olu Odebunmi and Tolu Awosika, and produced by Antoine Fuqua, Bridget Carpenter, Propagate’s Ben Silverman, Howard T. Owens, and Rodney Ferrell. Seth Mann, who directs the pilot, and Spencer Medoff are also executive producers. Scott Greenberg is a producer, and Michael Callas produces for Hill District Media. It also produces both Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube and Pepsi Pokane.
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