Nelson Mandela Biopic Mini-Series in the Works

JOHANNESBURG: The story of the life of Nelson Mandela is being turned into a six-part mini-series by Out of Africa Entertainment, Blue Ice Films and Left Bank Pictures.

Tentatively titled Madiba, the six-part TV project shines a light on the Nobel Peace Prize winner who was the first black president of South Africa. Principal photography is set to begin this year, with shooting to take place on location in South Africa. Producers include Out of Africa Entertainment’s Lance Samuels and Kweku Mandela (Lucky, Africa United, The Bang Bang Club), Blue Ice Films’ Steven Silver (Force of Nature, The Bang Bang Club) and Neil Tabatznik (The Bang Bang Club, Shake Hands With the Devil) and Left Bank Pictures’ Andy Harries (The Queen, The Lady, The Damned United) and Marigo Kehoe (The Queen, The Damned United). Emmy and BAFTA winner Nigel Williams (Elizabeth I) is writing the six one-hour episodes. The screenplay is based on two published works recently optioned to the filmmakers by Nelson Mandela through his legal representatives: his autobiographical Conversations with Myself and the authorized quotations book Nelson Mandela By Himself.

“We have been given access to the archives of the Nelson Mandela Foundation and have optioned two books written by Nelson Mandela in order to develop the script accurately and insight fully. Our resources for this project are impressive,” said producer Steven Silver.

“Two extensive research trips have already been completed to compile information on his life,” added producer Andy Harries. “This means we will be capturing the complex and tumultuous world Mandela lived in, as well as a number of other great people who surrounded and worked with him and helped make him the great man that he is.”

“There have been many documentaries and features about Mandela, but this will be the definitive story,” commented producer Lance Samuels. “Other projects have captured a moment in Mandela’s life and not taken the time to explore the man in detail. We elected to do a six-hour mini-series to fully explore the man, the myth and the legacy.”