South African Extreme Sports Drama 'Spinners' Gears Up for an Explosive Second Season!
The thrilling series, which captivated audiences with its high-octane action and gritty storytelling, is back for more! Season 2 of 'Spinners' promises an even more intense ride as it continues the story of a group of daredevils in Cape Town. But this time, the stakes are higher and the drama is more personal.
The creative team behind the show's success is reuniting for this highly anticipated return. Showrunner Benjamin Hoffman and director Jaco Bouwer, known for his eco-horror masterpiece 'Gaia,' are at the helm again. Writers Matthew Jankes and Sean Steinberg are also back to craft the next chapter of this South African adventure.
Here's where the production team shines: Joachim Landau, a veteran producer, teams up with Ramadan Suleman, the renowned producer of 'Zulu Love Letter,' to bring this crime drama to life. And the result? A seamless blend of French and African creative excellence.
Studiocanal, sister company to Canal+, is giving us a sneak peek at Season 2 ahead of Mipcom. This collaboration between the French TV giant and Showmax, the streaming service owned by MultiChoice, showcases the best of pan-African storytelling. With Canal+ now fully owning MultiChoice, the series will be available across 50 sub-Saharan African countries on various platforms, including Canal+, Showmax, and DSTV.
The first season of 'Spinners' broke barriers as the first African series to compete at Canneseries in 2023, and it didn't stop there. It went on to win accolades at prestigious festivals like Dakar Series and the Shanghai TV Festival, and received three nominations at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA).
But here's where it gets personal: Season 2 picks up two years after the events of the first season. Our protagonist, 17-year-old Ethan (played by the talented Cantona James), and his friends have become spinning superstars in the city. However, their newfound fame and happiness are threatened when Ethan's former gang orchestrates a vicious attack. Ethan seeks protection from the Maseko clan, but their help comes with a dark price.
The cast is stacked with returning favorites and exciting new additions. Cantona James and Chelsea Thomas reprise their leading roles, joined by Brendon Daniels, who wowed audiences in 'White Lies' with Natalie Dormer. Local talent Dillon Windvogel from 'Blood & Water' returns, and we're treated to a cameo by Kayla Olifant, a real-life female spinning sensation featured in National Geographic's 'David Blaine: Do Not Attempt.'
Introducing fresh faces to the mix, Season 2 welcomes Clementine Mosimane from 'How to Ruin Christmas,' Mondli Makhoba of 'Shaka iLembe,' rising talent Luyanda Zwane, and Aphiwe Mkefe, who starred in 'Nkuleko.'
Canal+'s commitment to African storytelling is evident, with Season 2 of 'Spinners' being part of their growing slate of original series from the continent. Since 2018, they've produced an impressive 35 series featuring African talent from 11 different countries, including hits like 'Invisibles,' 'Agent,' 'Cacao,' and 'Mami Wata.'
And this is the part that might spark some debate: With such a diverse range of African stories being told, what impact will these productions have on the global perception of African entertainment? Are we witnessing a new era of authentic African storytelling, or is there more to be done to ensure diverse representation?
Get ready for an action-packed, emotionally charged journey with 'Spinners' Season 2. And don't forget to join the conversation! What are your thoughts on the rise of African-led productions? Do you think they're changing the game in the entertainment industry?
