South African adaptation of THE OFFICE in the works for African streaming service Showmax

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

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

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

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

“The relaunch slate included all nine seasons of the US 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 head of content. “So we know our audiences will be as excited to see our hyperlocal version as we are to make it.”

“Our first Showmax Original was a mockumentary, Tali’s Wedding Diaryso we are delighted, just seven years later, to begin reinventing the most iconic mockumentary of all,” said van Niekerk.

“We are proud to produce the first African version of The office for Showmax and kykNET,” added Rapid Blue CEO Ziyanda Ngcaba. “The format is globally recognised and adored by audiences around the world.”

via: Variety