M-Net, Cinemax & ZDF Team Up to Adapt Trackers

MultiChoice’s M-Net is working with Cinemax and ZDF on the six-part TV adaptation of Deon Meyer’s Trackers.

Filming for Trackers has already begun in locations across South Africa. The co-pro partners are collaborating on all aspects of production—from development and casting to assembling the crew and approving the final content.

Meyer, whose crime novels have been translated into more than 20 languages, serves as a supervising screenwriter and co-producer. British writer Robert Thorogood (Death in Paradise) is the showrunner. The team of South African writers on the project includes Amy Jephta (Die Ellen Pakkies Story), as well as local writer/directors Kelsey Egen and Jozua Malherbe.

Trackers will make its debut on M-Net 101 in October and will also be available on MultiChoice’s Showmax on-demand service. The six-part drama series is produced by the U.K.’s Three River Studios as well as South Africa’s Scene 23.

“The trailblazing and massively exciting co-production of Trackers illustrates M-Net’s vision and commitment to shine the spotlight on the African film and television industry and provide fresh, proudly African narratives to our viewers as well as global audiences,” said MultiChoice’s CEO of general entertainment, Yolisa Phahle. “It is also taking our longstanding relationship with Cinemax to the next level, allowing local and international talent to combine their world-class storytelling and production skills.”

“Cinemax is delighted to partner with M-Net and ZDF in bringing Deon Meyer’s unforgettable characters and storytelling—all so richly rooted in the people and spectacular geography of South Africa—to screens around the world,” added Len Amato, president of HBO films, miniseries and Cinemax.

“Trackers is an unprecedented scripted television venture and MultiChoice and M-Net are proud to chart out new territory with all the game-changing players involved in this co-production,” Phahle added.