Great Scott! A South African Zulu-language adaptation of NBCUniversal’s acclaimed US comedy, Superstore is coming your way. Yes folks, NBCUniversal Formats and African streaming platform Showmax have announced this exciting new collaboration.
This marks Showmax’s second comedy format adaptation, following their licensing of The Office from the BBC.
Superstore is licensed globally by NBCUniversal Formats, part of Universal International Studios under the Universal Studio Group. This South African version will be the second non-English adaptation of the series, joining Supertitlán, the Latin American version produced in Mexico.
The Showmax Original will be locally produced by Barkers Media (Killer Front Page, Shebeen Queens, The Bala Family, and the SAFTA-nominated How to Manifest a Man) in partnership with Universal International Studios. Production is set to begin this year.
“We’re on Cloud 9,” said Nicola van Niekerk, executive head of programming at MultiChoice. “I laughed through every episode of Superstore and can’t wait to see how these lovable characters will be reimagined in our complex country.”
Reneilwe Sema, executive producer at Barkers Media, expressed excitement about bringing the first African adaptation of Superstore to Showmax: “The format is globally adored, and we’re thrilled to infuse it with South African culture and humour.”
Mpho Lengane, also an executive producer at Barkers Media, added, “We look forward to adding a distinctive South African flavour to this universally loved comedy.”
Hannah Mabruk, VP of Format Sales at NBCUniversal Formats, shared her enthusiasm: “Superstore resonates globally with its humour, heart, and themes of community and workplace friendship. We’re eager to see how our partners at Showmax and Barkers Media bring a fresh South African perspective to these beloved characters.”
The original Superstore premiered on NBC on January 14, 2015, exactly 10 years ago
The show attracted over six million viewers per episode. The series ran for six seasons, earning acclaim as one of TV’s greatest workplace comedies according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Created by Justin Spitzer (The Office), Superstore followed the comedic lives of Cloud 9 employees, from eager newcomers to seasoned veterans.
The ensemble cast included America Ferrera, who won a Gracie Allen Award for her role as floor manager Amy, and Lauren Ash, Nico Santos, Ben Feldman, Colton Dunn, and Mark McKinney, who received various nominations and accolades.
With nominations from prestigious organizations like GLAAD, the Writers Guild of America, and the Casting Society of America, Superstore has continued to delight fans, even after its finale in 2021, with Cloud 9 references appearing in other NBCUniversal series.
While awaiting the South African adaptation, you can re-watch all six seasons of Superstore on Showmax.
Watch this space for updates in the Television category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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