Blood & Water (South African TV series)

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Blood & Water
Blood and water title card.png
GenreDrama
Written by
  • Nosipho Dumisa-Ngoasheng (as Nosipho Dumisa)
  • Daryne Joshua
  • Travis Taute
Directed by
  • Nosipho Dumisa-Ngoasheng (as Nosipho Dumisa)
  • Daryne Joshua
  • Travis Taute
Starring
  • Amamkele Qamata
  • Khosi Ngema
  • Gail Mabalane
Voices ofAmamkele Qamata
Narrated byAma Qamata
Theme music composerMr. Kamera
Opening theme"Blood & Water"
by FRYA[1]
Ending themeI Need You
ComposerNasty C
Country of originSouth Africa
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producers
  • Bradley Joshua
  • Benjamin Overmeyer
  • Nosipho Dumisa-Ngoasheng (as Nosipho Dumisa)
  • Daryne Joshua
  • Travis Taute
ProducerGambit Films
Production locationsCape Town, South Africa
CinematographyZenn Van Zyl
Editors
  • Simon Beesley
  • Tessa Verfuss
  • Andrea Shaw
Running time43–53 minutes
Production companyGambit Films
DistributorNetflix
Release
Original networkNetflix
Original release20 May 2020 (2020-05-20) –
present (present)
External links
Official Site

Blood & Water is a South African Netflix original streaming television series starring Ama Qamata, Khosi Ngema and Gail Mabalane. It was released on 20 May 2020. In June 2020, Netflix renewed the series for a second season.[2]

The series won Best TV Drama at the 2021 South African Film and Television Awards as well as awards for cinematography and sound design.[3]

Plot[]

The series revolves around Puleng (Ama Qamata), a high school girl whose sister Phumelele was kidnapped as part of a human trafficking network shortly after birth.[4][5] One day, Puleng was invited to a party of Fikile Bhele (Khosi Ngema), a popular athlete studying at Parkhurst College, a prestigious school at Cape Town.[6] After Wade (Dillon Windvogel), a new acquaintance points out their resemblance, Puleng starts to suspect that Fikile is Phumelele. She has lived in the shadow of her sister all her life so she decides to get to the bottom of things. She transfers to the elite school to investigate.[7] While solving the puzzle, Puleng discovers that the mystery of her missing sister is not the only secret that her friends and family keep.[8]

Cast[]

Main[]

  • Amamkele Qamata as Puleng Khumalo
  • Khosi Ngema as Fikile Bhele
  • Gail Mabalane as Thandeka Khumalo
  • Thabang Molaba as Karabo 'KB' Molapo
  • Dillon Windvogel as Wade Daniels
  • Arno Greeff as Chris Ackerman
  • Ryle de Morny as Chad Morgan
  • Greteli Fincham as Reece Van Rensburg
  • Getmore Sithole as Julius Khumalo
  • Odwa Gwanya as Siya Khumalo
  • Natasha Thahane as Wendy Dlamini
  • Mekaila Mathys as Tahira Kahn
  • Sandi Schultz as Nicole Daniels
  • Cindy Mahlangu as Zama Bolton
  • Xolile Tshabalala as Nwabisa Bhele
  • Sello Maake Ka-Ncube as Matla Molapo
  • Patrick Mofokeng as Brian Bhele
  • Shamilla Miller as Riley Morgan
  • as Mark Tedder

Recurring[]

  • Nasty C as Zero
  • Cedwyn Joel as Mr. Hartenburg
  • Elzet Nel as Nate
  • Anil Sabharwal as Jono
  • Andre Lombaard as Mr. Loots
  • Laura Bosman as Mrs. Joffe
  • Chanelle van Wyk as Fikile's Double
  • Sherman Pharo as Mr. Hendriks
  • Baby Cele as Ms. Dlamini
  • Esther von Waltsleben as Mrs. Thorne
  • Faniswa Yisa as Brenda Jaxah
  • Marlisa Doubell as Mrs. Ricci

Episodes[]

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
16May 20, 2020 (2020-05-20)

Season 1 (2020)[]

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"Fiksation"Nosipho DumisaDaryne JoshuaMay 20, 2020 (2020-05-20)
As another year passes since her sister's disappearance, Puleng shoulders her parents’ complex grief and escapes for a taste of joy ... with a twist.
22"The Interview"Nosipho DumisaTravis TauteMay 20, 2020 (2020-05-20)
Puleng combines secrecy and strategy as she continues her quest for answers, and a special project leads to a closer bond with Fiks and her classmates.
33"Propaganda"Travis TauteNosipho DumisaMay 20, 2020 (2020-05-20)
Fiks faces backlash while campaigning for Head Girl. Meanwhile, Puleng considers a pivotal decision: Share her mission with Wade or abandon the search?
44"Payback's a Bitch"Daryne JoshuaTravis TauteMay 20, 2020 (2020-05-20)
The tables turn as Puleng experiences her own school scandal. Later, she and Wade chase a new lead. Fiks struggles with the pitfalls of romance.
55"Frenemy No. 1"Daryne JoshuaDaryne JoshuaMay 20, 2020 (2020-05-20)
After Wendy goes on record, Puleng grapples with regret … and grows closer to KB. Fiks hosts a poolside gathering and deals with a devastating blow.
66"Trippin'"Nosipho DumisaDaryne JoshuaMay 20, 2020 (2020-05-20)
Tensions mount at a party with KB’s family and friends. Puleng prepares for her father’s trial and examines a series of life-changing revelations.

Production[]

Development[]

In February 2019, it was announced Netflix had picked up their second South African original production after Queen Sono with a new teen drama from Gambit Films directed by Nosipho Dumisa and written by Daryne Joshua and Travis Taute. Bradley Joshua and Benjamin Overmeyer would produce.[9]

Casting[]

Leroy Panashe Siyafa, Katishcka Chanderlal, and Alzavia Abrahams joined the cast for season 2 with Greteli Fincham promoted.[10]

Filming[]

Principal photography for the first season began on location in and around Cape Town in June 2019.[11] Parts of the University of Cape Town made up the fictional Parkhurst College, such as Smuts Hall and Sarah Baartman Hall. Other filming locations included Cape Town City Hall, the Bay Hotel in Camps Bay, Sea Point promenade, the Atlantic Seaboard, Durbanville, and Llandudno.[12]

Filming for the second season started 1 November 2020 and ended on 3 March 2021 in Cape Town.[13]

Release[]

A teaser trailer was released on 11 May 2020 followed by the official trailer on 15 May.[14] The 6-episode first season was released on Netflix on 20 May.[4]

Reception[]

Critical response[]

Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 80% based on 5 reviews with an average rating of 6.5 out of 10.[15]

Awards and nominations[]

Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2021 South African Film and Television Awards Best TV Drama Blood & Water Won
Best Achievement in Directing — TV Drama Nosipho Dumisa, Daryne Joshua, Travis Taute Nominated
Best Achievement in Screenwriting — TV Drama Nominated [16]
Best Achievement in Cinematography — TV Drama Zenn van Zyl Won
Best Achievement in Sound Design — TV Drama James Olivier, Richard West, Simon Ratcliffe, Jade Hill, Jack van Wyck, Carl Roberts, Michael Broomberg, Tamlyn Taylor, Charles Singleton, David Houston, Jaime Lopes, Craig Ormond Won [3]
Séries Brasil Awards Revelação Do Ano Ama Qamata Pending [17]

References[]

  1. ^ "FRYA". COVAID Africa. 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  2. ^ News, Eyewitness. "'Shut the front door': Local hit series 'Blood & Water' gets second season". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Africa, Keshia (22 May 2021). "All the 2021 Safta winners". IOL. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Blood & Water season 1 review – an African teen-drama that vibes easily". Ready Steady Cut. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  5. ^ "Review: Blood and Water is a Disappointing Teen Drama". The Cinemaholic. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  6. ^ Scott, Sheena. "'Blood And Water': The New Netflix Original Series From South Africa". Forbes. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  7. ^ Bruney, Gabrielle (25 May 2020). "Netflix's 'Blood & Water' Solves Its Central Mystery, But Leaves the Door Open to Season Two". Esquire. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  8. ^ Bruney, Gabrielle (22 May 2020). "Netflix's 'Blood & Water' Introduces American Audiences to a New Cast of Upcoming Stars". Esquire. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  9. ^ Vourlias, Christopher (25 February 2019). "Netflix Orders South African Teen Series 'Blood & Water'". Variety. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  10. ^ Kekana, Chrizelda (14 February 2021). "'Blood & Water' season 2 opens up the industry with new faces". Times Live. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  11. ^ "Blood & Water films in Cape Town for Netflix". KFTV. 27 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  12. ^ Searra, Imogen (8 May 2020). "Behind the scenes of local Netflix series: Blood & Water". Cape Town Etc. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  13. ^ Morkel, Graye. "PHOTOS | Blood & Water season 2 underway in Cape Town". Channel. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  14. ^ Castillo, Jessica (12 May 2020). "Netflix's "Blood & Water" Trailer Teases "Gossip Girl" Meets "Elite" Set in South Africa Blood & Water". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  15. ^ "Blood & Water: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  16. ^ Kahla, Cheryl (29 April 2021). "Netflix bags more than 40 nominations at 2021 SAFTAs". The South African. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  17. ^ "Ama Qamata bags first international nod". IOL. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2021.

External links[]

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