Before a single episode of The Four of Us has aired, one thing is already clear: Tshedza Pictures is not playing it safe. The production company behind some of South Africa’s most talked-about dramas is preparing to make its e.tv debut with The Four of Us, the family drama set to replace Scandal! in the coveted 8pm timeslot on 29 June. And while viewers might be expecting another battle for power, wealth and status, the early clues suggest something a little different.
Yes, there will be ambition. Yes, there will be betrayal. And yes, there will almost certainly be enough family drama to fuel social media conversations every night. But beneath all of that appears to be a story rooted in something South African television rarely places at the centre of the narrative: sibling relationships.
A Story about family before anything else
Everything released so far points to the Dhlomo family being the beating heart of the show. The series revolves around four siblings whose lives have been shaped by legacy, expectations, old wounds and unresolved tensions. That alone makes The Four of Us stand apart from many recent primetime dramas, which often build their stories around marriages, romantic triangles or corporate rivalries.
Instead, the conflict here seems deeply personal. What happens when the people who know you best become your biggest competitors? What happens when years of sacrifice are no longer appreciated? And what happens when every family member believes they deserve something different from the same legacy? Those questions appear to sit at the centre of the story.
The cast isn’t playing the characters you expect
Perhaps the most intriguing thing about The Four of Us is the casting. Over the years, South African audiences have become accustomed to certain actors occupying familiar spaces. Viewers often know exactly what kind of character to expect the moment an actor appears on screen. The Four of Us seems determined to challenge that. Early details suggest the creative team deliberately wanted familiar faces in unfamiliar roles. That could explain why the cast feels both exciting and slightly unpredictable.
We’ve seen Sindi Dlathu command the screen as powerful woman before, but Busani Dhlomo sounds less like a traditional queenpin and more like someone carrying the emotional burden of an entire family. Sdumo Mtshali‘s Bobbi appears poised to be far more complicated than a straightforward antagonist. Meanwhile, Thembinkosi Mthembu and Kealeboga Masango could end up delivering some of the show’s biggest surprises as siblings trying to define their place within the family.
For audiences who think they already know these actors, that unpredictability may become one of the show’s biggest strengths.
Tshedza’s first e.tv show could feel different to everything before it
The Four of Us is more than just another new telenovela. It marks Tshedza Pictures‘ first-ever production for e.tv, a significant milestone for a company that has already built a reputation for creating conversation-starting television.
Whenever a production company enters a new broadcasting environment, there is usually a balancing act. They need to retain the storytelling style audiences know them for while also serving a different audience with different expectations. That could explain why The Four of Us appears to be leaning into relatable family dynamics rather than purely spectacle-driven storytelling. The promise of a story built around recognisable family tensions may be exactly what e.tv viewers are looking for in the post-Scandal! era.
Don’t expect the rivalries to stay inside one family
While the Dhlomos appear to be the central focus, the show’s world looks much bigger than one household.
Characters played by Rami Chuene and Dumisani Dlamini are already being positioned as major forces with ambitions of their own, suggesting that family politics could quickly spill into broader power struggles. Early descriptions of the series hint at competing interests, old grievances and rival families whose histories are deeply intertwined.
If that’s the case, The Four of Us may eventually evolve into something much larger than a sibling drama. But if the early messaging is anything to go by, the emotional stakes will always come back to family.
The real test begins On 29 June
Trailers can only reveal so much.
What we know for now is that Tshedza Pictures has assembled one of the strongest ensembles currently on South African television, built a story around four siblings with vastly different perspectives, and appears determined to challenge audience expectations through its casting choices.
Whether The Four of Us becomes e.tv‘s next phenomenon remains to be seen. But if the clues released so far are anything to go by, viewers shouldn’t expect another Scandal!, another The River or another family soap built on familiar formulas.
They should expect a story about what happens when the people you love most become the people standing in your way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Four of Us about?
The family drama follows the powerful Dhlomo family, where old wounds, sibling rivalries, power struggles and long-held resentments threaten to tear the family apart.
When does The Four of Us premiere?
The series premieres on Monday, 29 June 2026, at 8pm on e.tv.
Who leads the cast?
Sindi Dlathu stars as Busani Dhlomo, the eldest sibling determined to protect her father’s legacy, alongside Sdumo Mtshali, Thembinkosi Mthembu and Rami Chuene. The star-studded cast also includes Dumisani Dlamini, Pascaline Phale, Hope Mbele, Sibongile Nojila and Seipati Mahamu, Lebohang Lephatsoana, Scelo Buthelezi, Kealeboga Masango, Nombulelo Letsosa, Quinton Madlala and Tebogo Malapane.
Who are “the four” in the title?
The title refers to the four Dhlomo siblings: Busani, Bobbi, Banzi and their youngest sibling, played by Kealeboga Masango.
