BBC Studios and African streaming giant Showmax have officially announced a new collaboration to produce a South African adaptation of the globally celebrated mockumentary series, The Office.

• The localised version, set to be filmed primarily in Afrikaans, will launch on both Showmax and kykNET, DStv’s premier Afrikaans channel.
• Production is slated to begin in 2025, with the local edition being produced by Rapid Blue under the BBC Studios umbrella.
• It has been over two decades since Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant introduced the world to the bleak yet brilliant world of The Office.
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The original British series remains a critical darling, consistently ranked as one of the greatest comedies ever made. Its American counterpart not only won five Emmys, including Outstanding Comedy Series, but also became the most-streamed show globally in 2020. The show’s universal appeal has inspired remakes across the globe, with adaptations in Australia, France, Canada, Chile, Israel, India, the Middle East, and Poland. Now, South Africa is set to join this prestigious list as the 14th country to re-imagine the iconic series.

Our very first Showmax Original was a mockumentary, Tali’s Wedding Diary, so we’re delighted, just seven years later, to start reimagining the most iconic mockumentary of them all.

// Head of Premium Content and Co-Productions at MultiChoice, Nicola van Niekerk

Rapid Blue, the production company entrusted with this monumental task, has an impressive track record of adapting global formats for South African audiences. Some of their notable productions include Dancing With The Stars, The Bachelor, The Weakest Link, Family Feud, Got Talent, and Shark Tank.

They’ve also been behind successful original series like Is’thunzi, which earned Thuso Mbedu two International Emmy nominations. Ziyanda Ngcaba, Managing Director of Rapid Blue, expressed her excitement about the project.

We are proud to be producing the first African version of The Office for Showmax and kykNET. The format is globally recognised and adored by audiences all over the world.

// Managing Director of Rapid Blue, Ziyanda Ngcaba

The South African version of The Office will not only be a significant addition to the legacy of the series but also a major milestone for Showmax. The streaming platform, which recently relaunched in partnership with Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Sky, is now powered by the Peacock platform. Nicola van Niekerk revealed that the American version of The Office has been a massive hit on Showmax.

The relaunch slate included all nine seasons of the American version of The Office, which went straight into our top five international series on the platform for the month. So we know our audience is going to be as excited to see our hyperlocal version as we are to make it.

// Head of Premium Content and Co-Productions at MultiChoice, Nicola van Niekerk

This announcement comes at a time when Showmax is riding high on the success of its recent original productions. The platform has delivered a string of critically acclaimed series that have garnered international attention. For instance, Spinners won Best Foreign Series at the Magnolia Awards in Shanghai, beating out heavyweight contenders like Succession, and became the first African series to screen at Canneseries. Wyfie is currently in the running for Best TV Series at the Seoul International TV Drama Awards, while Catch Me A Killer became the first South African series to feature at Series Mania.

Other standout titles include Donkerbos, which was selected for Berlinale Series Market Selects, and Koek, which is leading the nominations at this month’s kykNET Silwerskerm Film and TV Awards. Not to mention, Adulting set a record with the biggest launch day of any drama series on the platform.

The South African adaptation of The Office is poised to be another landmark project for Showmax, blending the sharp wit and cringe-worthy humour of the original series with the unique cultural nuances of South Africa. As the production gears up to start in 2025, anticipation is already building for what is sure to be a fresh and hilarious take on a beloved classic. Fans of the series and newcomers alike can look forward to seeing how the awkward antics and office politics translate in a uniquely South African setting.

The final question is though: will the show be called ‘Die Kantoor’? Let’s wait and see.

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