Australian actress Abbie Cornish, whose credits include “Limitless” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” and Scottish actor Dougray Scott, who appeared in “Crime” and “Enigma,” are set to star in Southern African action thriller series “The Invisible.”
The cast also features South Africa’s Kim Engelbrecht (“Reyka,” “Eye in the Sky”), Tim Theron (“Trackers,” “Heart of the Hunter”) and Tumisho Masha (“Mandela’s Gun,” “Invasion”).
M-Net, ITV Studios, Scene23 and Berkeley Media Group will produce “The Invisible,” an eight-part adaptation of Deon Meyer’s novel “Blood Safari.” It is distributed internationally by ITV Studios.
In the area surrounding South Africa’s Kruger National Park, a mysterious killer begins executing local poachers. As the body count rises, local Inspector Jack Phatudi is drawn into a dangerous manhunt to unmask the vigilante.
At the same time, Dekker — a former bodyguard with a haunted past — is hired to protect Emma, a South African expat, who returns home to search for her brother who she believes is still alive, despite his disappearance 20 years ago.
When Phatudi’s investigation collides with Emma and Dekker’s quest, they uncover a buried conspiracy reaching back to the political assassination of a pivotal African leader. As powerful forces close in, all three are forced to confront the explosive truth — one that could rewrite history, and that others will kill to keep hidden.
“The Invisible” is directed by Jozua Malherbe, who helmed previous Meyer adaptations “Devil’s Peak” and “Trackers,” and Amy Jephta, known for “Barakat” and “Catch Ae a Killer.” The series is created by Meyer, who is an exec producer alongside Cornish and Scott, and William Josef Schneider, with the latter taking the lead in writing the adaptation. Tina Kruger serves as creative EP.
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“To say I’m proud, grateful and excited about ‘The Invisible’ as a TV series is a vast understatement,” Meyer says. “We’ve worked so hard for two years to put the series together, and now, it’s finally going into production with an excellent broadcast partner and executive production team, great writers, a stellar, international cast, a brilliant director and the best film crew in the world. How cool is that?”
“’The Invisible’ is a contemporary South African retelling inspired by true events – including the mysterious plane crash that claimed former Mozambican President Samora Machel,” Nomsa Philiso, director of content: general entertainment, English and Portuguese-speaking Africa at MultiChoice, said.
“Premiering on M-Net, this gripping tale is crafted by Deon Meyer, brought to life in Hoedspruit and Cape Town by top local talent, and supported by our co-production partners, ITV Studios, Scene23 and BMG. We’re proud of this collaboration and the platform the series will enjoy on M-Net, where Meyer’s work continues to captivate South African – and global – audiences.”
Julie Meldal-Johnsen, executive vice president of global content at ITV Studios, said, “We’re delighted to be partnering with M-Net, Scene23, BMG and the IDC to bring this thrilling and action-packed drama to global audiences. ‘The Invisible’ marks our first scripted project from a South African producer – hopefully the first of many.”
“We are proud and excited to be working with Abbie Cornish, Dougray Scott and a hugely talented group of creatives in South Africa on Berkeley Media’s latest international production. With our partners Scene23 and ITV Studios, we aim to bring alive this amazing African story to an appreciative global audience,” Yu-Fai Suen of Berkeley Media Group said.
“With the success of ‘Trackers’ and ‘Heart of the Hunter’ proving the global appetite for South African stories, ‘The Invisible’ is the perfect next chapter,” Cobus van den Berg, executive producer at Scene23, said. “Based on the work of acclaimed author Deon Meyer, it’s about more than just a television series – it’s a chance to showcase our talent, our landscapes, and our storytelling on an international stage.”
From Variety US