South African Thriller The Invisible Takes Shape

M-Net, ITV Studios, Scene23 and Berkeley Media Group (BMG) are collaborating to adapt Deon Meyer’s novel Blood Safari into the eight-part series The Invisible.

Abbie Cornish (Limitless; Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) and Dougray Scott (Crime, Enigma) are set to star in and executive produce the series. The cast includes South African talent Kim Engelbrecht (Reyka, Eye in the Sky), Tim Theron (Trackers, Heart of the Hunter) and Tumisho Masha (Mandela’s Gun, Invasion). ITV Studios is handling global distribution.

The series is set against the backdrop of South Africa’s Kruger National Park.

“To say I’m proud, grateful and excited about The Invisible as a TV series is a vast understatement,” says author and executive producer, Deon Meyer, “We’ve worked so hard for two years to put the series together, and now, it’s finally going into production with an excellent broadcast partner and executive production team, great writers, a stellar, international cast, a brilliant director and the best film crew in the world. How cool is that?”

“The Invisible is a contemporary South African retelling inspired by true events—including the mysterious plane crash that claimed former Mozambican President Samora Machel,” says Nomsa Philiso, director of content, general entertainment, English and Portuguese-speaking Africa at MultiChoice, said: “Premiering on M-Net, this gripping tale is crafted by Deon Meyer, brought to life in Hoedspruit and Cape Town by top local talent, and supported by our co-production partners, ITV Studios, Scene23 and BMG. We’re proud of this collaboration and the platform the series will enjoy on M-Net, where Meyer’s work continues to captivate South African—and global—audiences.”

Julie Meldal-Johnsen, executive VP of global content at ITV Studios, added, “We’re delighted to be partnering with M-Net, Scene23, BMG and the IDC to bring this thrilling and action-packed drama to global audiences. The Invisible marks our first scripted project from a South African producer—hopefully the first of many.”

“We are proud and excited to be working with Abbie Cornish, Dougray Scott and a hugely talented group of creatives in South Africa on Berkeley Media’s latest international production,” noted Yu-Fai Suen of Berkeley Media Group. With our partners Scene23 and ITV Studios, we aim to bring alive this amazing African story to an appreciative global audience.”

“With the success of Trackers and Heart of the Hunter proving the global appetite for South African stories, The Invisible is the perfect next chapter,” says Cobus van den Berg, executive producer at Scene23. “Based on the work of acclaimed author Deon Meyer, it’s about more than just a television series—it’s a chance to showcase our talent, our landscapes, and our storytelling on an international stage. We are proud to partner with BMG, M-Net and ITV Studios to bring this story to both local and international audiences.”