South Africa | On Wednesday, 20 May 2020, the stars and creative team of Africa’s second script-to-screen Netflix Original series, Blood & Water celebrated the first-ever digital series premiere on the continent.
At 8 PM, fans from across the world tuned in to the virtual screening on the Netflix global YouTube channel and watched the first episode together. The online screening garnered over 100 000 views and trended at number 9 on YouTube. Whilst watching the show, viewers tweeted their excitement and reactions using #BloodAndWater. The hashtag trended at number 1 and number 2 on Twitter for the majority of the day, proving just how much excitement there is for the show.
Throughout the course of the day, the fresh-faced cast were in conversation with South African industry heavyweights on Instagram Lives, chatting all things Blood & Water, and expressing their excitement that 190 countries across the world will see their characters and talent come to life! Samkelo Ndlovu spoke with Dillon Windvogel on how to deal with global success and fame, Jessica Nkosi spoke with Khosi Ngema on being a breakout talent, Lasizwe spoke with Natasha Thahane on her very assertive character Wendy, Nasty C and Thabang Molaba spoke about music and their scene together and finally, Thando Thabethe and Ama Qamata spoke about manifesting your dreams and owning your moment.
Boity, Tellaman, Mmabatho Montsho and Jessica Nkosi were just a few of the many local celebrities who shared in the excitement on social media with messages of support, which further highlighted a special moment for our African talent and Netflix’s continued investment in telling our stories.
On Saturday, 23 May 2020, fans of Blood & Water can tune in to Youtube to watch Blood &Water: The After School Special feature hosted by Beverly Naya (NG) and Thando Thabethe. The cast and hosts will chat through all things Blood & Water, play fun games and watch performances by South African artists, Rowlene SA, Tellaman and Nasty C, who all feature on the soundtrack of the show.
About Blood & Water
Blood & Water centres around the exploits of Puleng Khumalo (played by Ama Qamata), an intelligent and impulsive 16-year-old with a secret to hide. The teenager engineers her transfer to Parkhurst College in a desperate bid to investigate the 17-year cold case of her older sister’s disappearance. Abducted at birth, Fikile’s (played by Khosi Ngema) disappearance has cast a shadow over Puleng’s life, and she’s determined to solve the case.
The series, produced by Netflix and Gambit Films, is directed by Nosipho Dumisa and executive produced by Bradley Joshua and Benjamin Overmeyer.
Blood & Water premiered globally in 190 countries on the 20th of May 2020.
