Romance, rivalry and revenge – that’s what Mzansi Magic viewers can expect when the country’s most buzzed-about show, The Wife, premieres on the channel on 12 September. The hit show, which is a Showmax Original, will air three nights a week – Compact subscribers can catch it every Monday to Wednesday at 21h30. Our viewers can also enjoy the omnibus on Saturdays from 21h30-23h00.
The most-watched series in Showmax history, The Wife has broken several records on the platform. The premiere of the recently concluded season 2 enjoyed the most first-day views on the streaming service – beating its own previous record for the season 1 premiere.
“Having seen its impressive and record-breaking performance on Showmax, we have decided to bring The Wife to our DStv Compact subscribers so that they can get in on the action. We know that our viewers will fall in love with the story and its characters. It’s a show that has resonated deeply with many, and we’re glad to bring all of our subscribers into this phenomenal world,” says Shirley Adonisi, Director of Local Entertainment Channels at M-Net.
Inspired by author Dudu Busani-Dube’s popular Hlomu the Wife book series, The Wife follows the love story of a feisty young journalist, Hlomu (played by Mbalenhle Mavimbela), and the unpredictable taxi driver and taxi owner, Mqhele (played by Bonko Khoza).
However, their story is the anchor around which others live – as much as The Wife is a show about a young couple in love, it’s also about loyalty, family and the lengths people go to in the name of both.
The series has won acclaim and awards for its cast: several of its actors were nominated for DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards, with Abdul Khoza (who plays Nqoba) walking away as Best Male Actor and Kwenzo Ngcobo (who plays Qhawe) named Favourite Rising Star. Mbalenhle Mavimbela and Bonko Khoza were both named in Sowetan’s list of ‘Stars Who Shone the Brightest this Year’ list, while The Wife is now up for 10 SAFTAs, including Best Telenovela and Most Popular Soap/Telenovela.
Its season 1 cast is rounded off by some of the country’s top established as well as emerging talent, including Mondli Makhoba, Kay Sibiya, Sipho Ndlovu, Siyabonga Shibe, Linda Majola and a SAFTA nominated performance by Zikhona Sodlaka as Mandisa.
Stained Glass production recently announced Bonko's replacement. The actor will be replaced by Wiseman Mncube. In a statement shared by the production house, Wiseman said he is a fan of both the book and the series, “What actor wouldn’t want to be part of The Wife? Mqhele is a very interesting role and I’m in my element: there’s a lot to chew on and play off, from the love story to the anger to the care. uBonko carried the role with so much respect and power. I’m not here to replace Bonko but to start my own journey as Mqhele and take things from where he left off and run with it in my own way.”
