Showmax announces Afrikaans version of BBC Studios’ The Office

BBC Studios and African streamer Showmax have today announced a new format agreement that will see a South African adaptation of global hit format The Office, licensed by BBC Studios, launch on both Showmax and kykNET, DStv’s Afrikaans channel. The Showmax Original will be produced locally by Rapid Blue, who are part of BBC Studios’ international family of production companies.

It was more than 20 years ago that the world was introduced to the wonderfully bleak mockumentary world of The Office, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. MetaCritic still lists the British version as the best-reviewed comedy series of all time, while the American version won five Emmys, including Outstanding Comedy Series, and was the most streamed show in the world in 2020. 

This universal appeal has seen the BAFTA– and Golden Globe-winning cult comedy remade for audiences around the world, including Australia, France, Canada, Chile, Israel, India, the Middle East, and Poland. The South African edition of The Office, which is still untitled, will be its 14th adaption and will be filmed primarily in Afrikaans.

“Our very first Showmax Original was a mockumentary, Tali’s Wedding Diary, so we’re delighted, just seven years later, to start reimagining the most iconic mockumentary of them all,” says Nicola van Niekerk, head of Premium Content and Co-Productions at MultiChoice.

BBC Studios’ South African production company, Rapid Blue, will begin production in 2025. Rapid Blue produced Is’thunzi, which earned Thuso Mbedu two International Emmy nominations, as well as formats such as Dancing With The Stars, The Bachelor, Family Feud, Got Talent, Shark Tank, Come Dine With Me and Homegrown Tastes South Africa, to name just a few. 

“We are proud to be producing the first African version of The Office for Showmax and kykNET,” says Rapid Blue managing director Ziyanda Ngcaba. “The format is globally recognised and adored by audiences all over the world.”

Showmax relaunched in February in partnership with Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Sky, and is now powered by the Peacock platform. “The relaunch slate included all nine seasons of the American version ofThe Office, which went straight into our top five international series on the platform for the month,” says Nicola. “So we know our audience is going to be as excited to see our hyperlocal version as we are to make it.”

Recent scripted Showmax Originals include Spinners, which beat Succession to win Best Foreign Series at the Magnolia Awards in Shanghai and became the first African series to screen at Canneseries; Wyfie, currently up for Best TV Series at the Seoul International TV Drama Awards; Catch Me A Killer, the first South African series at Series Mania; Donkerbos, which screened at Berlinale Series Market Selects;Koek, the most nominated drama series going into this month’s kykNET Silwerskerm Film and TV Awards; and Adulting, which had the biggest launch day of any drama series on the platform so far.