eMedia launched a new adult-only telenovela that takes the viewers inside a high-class world of a pleasure dome brothel, The Black Door, yesterday, and what better way to do it than to host the media, show makers, and actors on the set where all the magic happens for a tour, cast interviews and screening of the show’s pilot episode?
During this adult-only sex drama series premiering on Monday, 11 April 2022, a story of two brothers emerges. Khaya, a role played by Zamani Mbatha, is a truck driver with a dream to run a fleet of buses with his older brother Chuma played by Thomani Nzuza.
In the wake of an unexpected windfall and a mysterious death, Khaya soon learns that his brother has been murdered. He is thrust into a world of sex, drugs, and tender fraud to repay the money stolen by his brother. Is Khaya willing to become a sex worker at The Black Door and make big bucks, or will he suffer the same fate as his late brother?
What happens in the dark will be revealed in the light … The Black Door is a fascinating, dramatic, and emotional adult drama series with a brilliant cast of individuals who shock you with their secrets and steal your heart with their emotions.
New show alert ⚠️
"The Black Door" premieres on the 11th of April on Etv at 21:30
The makers of this telenovela created an experience for the media ahead of its premiere by taking us through their Warner Brothers-esque set that was designed from scratch for this 260 episode locally produced telenovela. Executive produced by Black Brain under the leadership of Mandla N, this show promises to be filled with everyday experiences black people are faced with in different locations, and break the stigma behind sex.
“We’ll be taking you guys through the different experiences on our set tour, you’ll get to understand these different experiences, where the different characters live, their world, and the set. Cause it’s [the show] not all raunchy and only about sex, there’s also real heart in the story.” Said Mandla as he welcomed the media and guests to the launch of this drama series in their Honeydew set on Wednesday evening.
The set for this telenovela was built from scratch by over 400 employees working a day over a 6 week period. It includes a township, Chesa Nyama, Tavern, Mam Rebecca’s house, her toilet paper business, and of course, the main money-making machine, The Black Door located behind the toilet paper business which works as her ‘front’. Designing and building this set from scratch was very important to the team behind Black Door and we spoke to Mandla N who shared his vision behind this.
“Growing up I’ve always been a fan of the Warner Brothers Studios and when I went to America, I also saw Tyler Perry Studios and I saw the magnitude of… you know… how much they go in.” He continued, “I also thought, with enough land back at home, let me try something new instead of just building something in the studio. Also, I’ve been in the industry for over 21 years, and I’ve built interior studios in the past but this for me is very special cause only now I’m embarking on building exterior worlds.”
The set of Black Door is very convincing and mimics real life. It holds an undeniable nostalgia of growing up in the township and trying to make ends meet daily. It was designed by two ladies, Texture and Martha Sibanyoni, with intentional ideas and goals to embody the main storyline of the telenovela.
Additionally, Mandla mentioned that the show, although different from the shows he’s produced in the past remains hearty, tells an authentic South African story, and aims to break the stereotypes around sex and sex work. “I know a lot of people like to degrade prostitutes but they are part of our lives, those are individuals in our families, people that sit next to you at church on Sundays,” he said in closing.
This first of its kind show to eTV is part of eMedia’s new strategy that will be communicated to the public soon. It premieres on Monday at 21:30 and the season will air on weekdays.
Some of its star-studded cast includes veteran actress and lead Linda Sebezo as Mam Rebs (Rebecca), Mzamo Gcabashe as Romeo, Sandile Mfusi as Junior, Sibongile Tenza as Nandi, Bhekimuzi Mkhwanazi as Bra Kenny, Gabisile Tshabalala as Boniswa, Velaphi Mnisi as Nomsa and Sello Ramalahloane as Bra Gibbs.
