Africa Makes Netflix Debut With ‘Queen Sono’

It’s always great to see relatable content on our TVs and on our streaming sites. It can get boring to always be witness to western programming that does not represent who we are, not getting some of the references, jokes and customs because we are not from the community that creates the art we have no choice but to consume. That is why Netflix giving the platform to an African production is a pretty big deal.

‘Queen Sono’ isn’t your typical African story. It’s not about perseverance or poverty. For once as Africans, we get to have a narrative that is just about creating fantasy worlds and letting our characters loose in them.

As black people we very rarely get to tell far-fetched stories, without the burden of needing to portray our strength, resilience or diversity. We are often plagued by the fact that the west only wants to consume our content if in it we are malnourished, at war or being saved by a white person.

This story is a little different. It follows the exploits of a young secret agent named Queen Sono, played by South African actress Pearl Thusi. It paints a beautiful portrait of what an African intelligence operative would look and sound like.

The character of Queen is expertly portrayed. She is tough as nails, brave and quick on her feet. She’s also a combat pro and can throw in a fist or two when necessary. But it’s not just all action. In this series we get to see a multi-dimensional person within the lead. She is great at what she does professionally, but also has to balance her personal life and not let it interfere with her work or her composure.

Thusi, no stranger to a good action-packed scene, is the right fit for this no-nonsense agent who begins her television journey in the beautiful surroundings of Zanzibar, Tanzania.

The imagery and cinematography adds to the story, showcasing some of the continent’s gems, and the beauty in Africa’s simplicity.

But do be careful of the twists and turns as you watch this six-episode series written by Kagiso Lediga, Karabo Lediga, Camilo Saloojee, Christopher Steenkamp and Muzi Dlamini. It will take you on a journey you need to be buckled up for, and you might just need to watch it a second and third time to fully grasp the chaotic tale.

Look out for great scene direction, scripting that sounds natural as well as a diverse and inclusive cast that gives opportunity for more than one type of face to shine.

It will be interesting to see what doors this opens for content creators, actors, directors and others in the industry to flourish in the international world of film and television. Hopefully this will encourage Netflix to take on more African projects so that we get to see more of ourselves on our screens, in ways that are positive and uplifting … and entertaining.

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