‘The Office’ to Get South African Adaptation on Showmax (EXCLUSIVE)

As a cinephile with a penchant for international cinema, especially mockumentaries, I am thrilled about this latest adaptation of “The Office” for South African audiences! Having grown up with the original British version and then immersing myself in the American adaptation, it’s fascinating to see how different cultures will bring their unique perspectives to this beloved series.


Showmax, a streaming service based in Africa, has obtained the right to create a locally-tailored version of the popular show “The Office” for South African viewers. This project is being done in collaboration with BBC Studios. The customized adaptation will be available on both Showmax and kykNET, a channel owned by DStv that broadcasts in Afrikaans.

2025 marks the start of production for Rapid Blue, a division under BBC Studios’ global production network. This upcoming series, yet unnamed, is planned to be filmed predominantly in Afrikaans, right here in South Africa.

14 different countries have brought “The Office” to life on their screens, following its initial release in Australia, France, Canada, Chile, Israel, India, the Middle East, Poland, and more. The original British version of the series, written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, debuted over two decades ago and continues to be widely admired. The American remake received five Emmy Awards and was the most-watched show worldwide in 2020.

Following its February re-launch in collaboration with Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Sky, and now fueled by Peacock, Showmax has added the entire nine seasons of the U.S. version of “The Office” to its content lineup. This is the South African adaptation we’re talking about.

According to Nicola van Niekerk, Acting Head of Content at Showmax, the reintroduction featured all nine seasons of the American adaptation of ‘The Office.’ This immediately shot into our top five international shows on the platform for that month. In other words, we’re just as eager to produce our locally-tailored version as our audience is to see it.

Showmax has gained international acclaim for its recent original scripted series such as “Spinners,” “Wyfie,” “Catch Me A Killer,” “Donkerbos,” “Koek” and “Adulting.” Among Rapid Blue’s accomplishments are “Is’thunzi,” which garnered two International Emmy nominations for Thuso Mbedu, along with formats like “Dancing With The Stars,” “The Bachelor,” “Family Feud,” “Got Talent,” “Shark Tank,” “Come Dine With Me” and “Homegrown Tastes South Africa.”

“Seven years after our initial release of a mockumentary titled ‘Tali’s Wedding Diary,’ our very first Showmax Original, we’re thrilled now to embark on reinterpreting the most renowned mockumentary in existence,” van Niekerk expressed.

“Ziyanda Ngcaba, Rapid Blue’s managing director, expressed pride in creating the first African adaptation of ‘The Office’, destined for Showmax and kykNET. This series has a renowned and beloved global format.”

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2024-08-30 13:16