Acclaimed crime novel Trackers is being adapted for television by a major new partnership between South Africa’s M-Net , German television network ZDF and respected international broadcaster Cinemax.
Liz Dziva, publicity and public relations manager of MultiChoice Zimbabwe said the television production resulting from this unique partnership was set to mark a new high in Africa’s film and television industry and would bring one of the continent’s finest novels of recent times into the homes of viewers across the world, including Zimbabwe.
“Trackers is a highly successful political thriller by South African author Deon Meyer and the partnership of three broadcasting giants will give access to the production by millions of viewers across the world,” she said.
“The trailblazing and exciting co-production results from M–Net’s vision of shining the spotlight on the African film and television industry and provide African narratives not only to DStv viewers but also to a massive global audience. This will take M-Net’s longstanding relationship with Cinemax to the next level, allowing local and international talent to combine their world-class story-telling and production skills.”
M-Net is already the home of Cinemax and its sister network HBO, allowing viewers to enjoy hit shows like Game of Thrones, Big Little Lies and Westworld. HBO, Cinemax and M-Net also launched an innovative Producers Apprenticeship Programme last year when the Cinemax series Warrior – which will be screened on M-Net in July – was filmed in South Africa. Other Cinemax originals screened on M-Net include Banshee, The Knick and Strike Back.
Filming of Trackers has already started in a range of locations across South Africa and the co-production partners have been working closely together on all aspects of production, from developing and casting to assembling the crew and approving the final content.
Deon Meyer, whose multiple-award-winning crime novels have been translated into more than 20 languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide, serves as supervising screenwriter and co-producer; British writer Robert Thorogood (Death in Paradise) is also involved, while the team of South African writers on the project includes the accomplished Mitchell’s Plain playwright, screenwriter and director Amy Jephta (Die Ellen Pakkies Story) as well as writer-directors Kelsey Egen and Jozua Malherbe.
“Trackers is a television venture of major proportions and MultiChoice and M-Net are proud to chart new territory with the players involved in this co-production,” said Ms Dziva.
Local and international stars are on the bill for the six-part miniseries resulting from the production, including Ed Stoppard, Rolanda Marais, James Alexander and Thapelo Mokoena. Trackers will make its debut on M-Net, DStv channel 102, in October and will also be available on MultiChoice’s popular on-demand service, Showmax. The six-part drama series is produced by UK production company Three River Studios as well as South Africa’s Scene 23.