Queendom is streaming on Netflix
If you somehow missed Queendom when it first premiered on BET Africa, now is a good time to catch up. Queendom on Netflix gives viewers another chance to binge the South African telenovela, which has quietly found a new audience on the streamer and spent eight weeks in Netflix South Africa’s Top 10. With a story built around royal succession, family secrets, power struggles and betrayal and a cast led by Linda Mtoba, Sindi Dlathu and Pallance Dladla, there is plenty here to sink your teeth into.
Queendom follows Ntandokayise “Ntando” Mthombeni, a sharp and outspoken young woman from Tsakane whose life changes dramatically when she discovers that she is the rightful heir to the Khahlamba Kingdom. Until then, Ntando (played by Linda Mtoba) is focused on surviving everyday life. She is a law student and community leader juggling financial pressure and multiple jobs while supporting her family. But a secret that her mother, Tholakele (played by Sindi Dlathu), has kept hidden for more than three decades threatens to change everything she knows about herself.
Her discovery puts her directly in the path of Prince Mcebo (played by Pallance Dladla), a ruthless and ambitious member of the Khahlamba family who has his own claim to the throne and is prepared to do whatever it takes to protect his position. What follows is a battle over power, family, identity and destiny, as Ntando is forced to navigate a world of palace politics and long-buried secrets.
The series explores themes of African heritage, tradition, ancestry, identity, survival, corruption, power and the strength of women, while bringing the worlds of Tsakane and the Khahlamba Kingdom together.
Who stars in Queendom?
Queendom stars Linda Mtoba, Sindi Dlathu and Pallance Dladla as the show’s principal stars. Mtoba leads the series as Ntandokayise Mthombeni, the young woman whose discovery of her royal heritage sets the story in motion. Sindi Dlathu plays her mother, Tholakele Mthombeni, who has spent decades protecting the truth about her daughter’s identity. Pallance Dladla plays Prince Mcebo Khahlamba, Ntando’s formidable rival in the battle for the throne.
The wider ensemble includes Themba Ndaba, Dawn Thandeka King, Slindile Nodangala, Nhlanhla Kunene, Samkelo Ndlovu, Patrick Mofokeng, Hamilton Dlamini, Mduduzi Mabaso, Sjava, Mike Mvelase and Lehasa Moloi. Sjava plays Prince Mkhuseli Khahlamba and contributed to the show’s music, including its title track, “Wena Wamanzi.”
From BET to making an impact on Netflix
Queendom originally premiered on BET Africa in April 2024, where it ran as a daily telenovela. Its first season eventually reached 130 episodes, with the BET Africa run concluding in June 2025. The show also had a turbulent journey during its original run, including a production hiatus in 2024 before returning to screens later that year. Then came a major change to the South African television landscape. BET Africa was discontinued on 1 January 2026 following Paramount Global‘s shutdown of its linear TV operations in Africa.
Queendom subsequently found another streaming life, with eVOD announcing the series as part of its February 2026 offering. It has since also become part of Netflix‘s South African catalogue, where the series has attracted significant viewing attention. The Netflix move is more than just a second life for an older South African drama. Queendom spent eight weeks in Netflix South Africa’s Top 10, reaching as high as No. 2 during one of its weeks in the ranking.
That is notable because the show isn’t a brand-new Netflix Original launching with a huge global marketing campaign. It is a South African telenovela that had already completed its original broadcast journey before finding a fresh audience through streaming. And that makes its Netflix run worth paying attention to. It suggests that there is still an appetite for long-form local drama built around big characters, family secrets and high-stakes storytelling, particularly when viewers can access a substantial number of episodes and binge the story at their own pace. IMDb currently lists Queendom at 8.5/10, although that rating is based on a relatively small number of user ratings.
Who produced Queendom?
Queendom was produced by Clive Morris Productions, with Sayitsheni Mdakhi serving as showrunner and Siphiwe Hlabangane as series producer. The directing team includes Andries van der Merwe, who served as head director, alongside Athi Petela and Menga Nhlabathi as series directors. Lunga John Radebe served as head writer, with writers including Sihle Mthembu, Tiisetso Tlelima and Sinethemba Keleku. The series was created by Kayla Ahmed-Jardine and Sayitsheni Mdakhi.
So, is Queendom worth watching?
If you enjoy South African telenovelas, family dramas, royal intrigue and stories packed with secrets and power struggles, Queendom is worth adding to your watchlist.
Its journey from BET Africa to eVOD and then Netflix is also part of what makes the series interesting. A show that began as a local daily drama has managed to find another audience through streaming and spending eight weeks in Netflix South Africa’s Top 10 suggests viewers are still very much interested in seeing how Ntando’s story unfolds.
For anyone who missed Queendom the first time around, Netflix offers a chance to discover what all the drama was about.
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