First Original Kenyan Drama Series Debuts on Netflix

Netflix has launched the family drama Country Queen, its first original Kenyan drama series, globally.

Set in contemporary Kenya, the show pits ordinary Kenyans against a large power that threatens to destroy their homes and lives, with the issues of land-grabbing and exploitation at the forefront.

Country Queen also focuses on the stories of those most often overlooked, such as the Akamba tribe and, in general, the rural populations of Kenya.

The development of the series was based around a process of learning-on-the-job and capacity building. Over the course of two years, ten intensive workshops in different fields were held. The project’s goal was to create sustainable jobs in the media industry for young Kenyan creatives as well as to create an authentic Kenyan series that could reach Africa and beyond. It features a language mix of Swahili and English.

The writing for Country Queen was built on in-depth research, including conversations with activists and a deep dive into articles and essays on local mining practices, small-scale mining and underage miners in Kenya and East Africa, as well as the land-grabbing practices and land issues that affect families all over Africa.

Produced by Good Karma Fiction, the series was co-financed by German-French cultural channel ARTE/ZDF, the German government/DW Academie, a private investor and Netflix. It is executive produced and showrun by Peter Obrist, Waltraud Ehrhardt and Ravi Karmalker, who lead Good Karma Fiction.

The cast includes Melissa Kiplagat, Melvin Alusa, Blessing Lung’aho, Nini Wacera, Mumbi Kaigwa, Muthoni Gathecha, Sheila Munyiva, Nyokabi Macharia, Joel Otukho, Eddy Kimani, Abu Sensei, Nice Githinji, Nancy Karanja, Maina Olwenya, Kael Njihia, Robert Agengo, Oliver Litondo, Vera Atsango, Peter King, Johnson ‘Fish’ Chege and Raymond Ofula.