South African Adaptation of THE OFFICE in the Works for African Streaming Service Showmax

The African streaming service Showmax has announced that they are working on a South African adaptation of the hit series The Office. The show started out in the UK, with a version that ran for two seasons, then it was adapted in the US, and it exploded in popularity, running for 9 seasons.

This new version marks the 14th international adaptation of The Office, following versions in Australia, France, Canada, Chile, Israel, India, the Middle East, and Poland, among others.

The localized version will debut on both Showmax and kykNET, DStv’s Afrikaans channel. Rapid Blue, part of BBC Studios’ international production network, is set to begin production in 2025. The South African edition, which remains untitled, will be filmed primarily in the Afrikaans language.

The South African adaptation comes after Showmax’s February relaunch in partnership with Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Sky. The platform, now powered by Peacock, recently included all nine seasons of the American version of The Office in its offerings.

“The relaunch slate included all nine seasons of the American version of The Office, which went straight into our top five international series on the platform for the month,” says Nicola van Niekerk, Showmax’s acting head of content. “So we know our audience is going to be as excited to see our hyperlocal version as we are to make it.”

“Our very first Showmax Original was a mockumentary, Tali’s Wedding Diary, so we’re delighted, just seven years later, to start reimagining the most iconic mockumentary of them all,” van Niekerk said.

“We are proud to be producing the first African version of The Office for Showmax and kykNET,” added Rapid Blue managing director Ziyanda Ngcaba. “The format is globally recognized and adored by audiences all over the world.”

via: Variety