Afrikaans TV series are having a moment in Asia

First it was Spinners beating Succession in Shanghai. Now Wyfie is up against legendary Chinese auteur Wong Kar-Wai (In the Mood For Love, The Grandmaster) and his multi-award-winning series Blossoms Shanghai for Best International Series at The Seoul International Drama Awards on 25 September 2024. Homebrew Films’ university-set telenovela will also be competing against Turkey’s Another Love, which won Best Telenovela at the prestigious Rose d’Or Awards in London last year.

Returning to Showmax for another 45-episode season this Tuesday, 6 August 2024, Wyfie follows four mismatched koshuis roommates, played by Beáta Bena Green, Celeste Loots, Kristen Raath and Mienke Ehlers.  

Mia finally told her roommates everything in the emotional S1 finale. As S2 starts, it’s the dawn of a new era in Pantera res, as Natasha (Elzet Nel from Trompoppie) steps into power as prim. Parties abound, but not everyone is having a jol … 

This season, look out for 2024 Naledi winner Cintaine Schutte (Fynskrif) as Maggie, Shay’s older crush, and Zandelle Meyer (Trompoppie) as Jessie, the friends’ new “house daughter”. 

The Seoul nomination is the third in a row for Wyfie. In Cannes in May this year, Wyfie was up for Outstanding Use of Locations at the Global Production Awards, presented by Screen International, losing out to Troll, which had been Netflix’s most popular non-English film of all time. 

At the kykNET Silwerskerm Awards for Film and TV on 31 August 2024, Wyfie is up for Best Actress (Bena Green), Best Newcomer (Ehlers) and Best Supporting Actor (Marguerite van Eeden) in a Telenovela or Soap.

Produced by Homebrew Films (Trompoppie), Wyfie is directed by SAFTA winner Johan Cronjé (Wonderlus, Nêrens, Noord-Kaap), first-time director Eva du Preez (a Silwerskerm winner and two-time SAFTA nominee as an editor, with credits like Kanarie and Trompoppie) and rising star Emilie Badenhorst (2023 Silwerskerm Best Short Film and Best Direction winner ‘n Doop om Stilte).

“It fills me with so much pride that Wyfie got recognised on an international level,” says Eva. “It is an honour to be nominated, as it just confirms what we have accomplished. May Wyfie live on to become the literature of our time.”

“Wow!” says Emilie. “I’m really grateful for the recognition of the show and especially thankful that the hard work the entire family of creatives have put in is being acknowledged and getting the praise it deserves.”

Watch the trailer for Wyfie S2

Binge all 45 episodes of Wyfie S1 now, with new episodes of S2 every Tuesday until 7 January 2025: 

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What media are saying 

Wyfie lifts the lid on what goes on in women’s hostels… A drama series with a title and content that will raise eyebrows.

Klyntji

A boundary-pushing Afrikaans series… a fantastic first in Afrikaans.

Terloops

Wyfie won’t let you look away from your TV.

Die Son