2 January 2020
Tyrant S1-3
While Tyrant is almost seven years old, it’s worth the watch as dictators continue to fall to this day. It’s a story of hope despite the war and villainy at the centre as Bassam Al-Fayeed (Adam Rayner) returns to the fictional Middle East country of Abuddin and tries to undo the reign of terror led by his family for decades.
The landscape is pretty – it was shot in Israel and Morocco, with the palace being CGI. What stands out is the authenticity onscreen – from reluctant hero Bassam, to his evil but oddly loveable tyrant brother Jamal (Ashraf Barhom), whose cruelty and dark humour was based on Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein’s son Uday.
Tim Goodman from thehollywoodreporter.com is clear about the starting point: “It’s strong and entertaining but not immediately a knockout. The first episode ends in a place that will make viewers want to tune in to see where it goes. And where Tyrant goes will be crucial. It’s certainly provocative and complex, given its ambition and scope, not to mention the foreign location and politically-charged backdrop for the Godfather-style premise.”
Original African stories by local talent
Empini S1
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Original Sin: My Son The Killer
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Tracking Thabo Bester
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The Illuminated
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Koek S1
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Ekhaya Backpackers S1
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Cheta M
Cheta M explores the love story between Adanna and Nnanna, young lovers who battle the spiritual and political forces in their way. Stream now, with new episodes Wednesday to Friday.
Youngins S1
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RHONairobi S2: Your favourite queens plus 3 new faces
Big Girl Small World, coming soon
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