‘Shaka iLembe’: First Look At Season 3 Of MIPCOM-Bound African Zulu King Drama

Here are the first images from the final season of African drama series Shaka iLembe, with the series set to launch internationally in Cannes.

Studiocanal just dropped pics of the isiZulu-language drama ahead of the show’s international debut at MIPCOM Cannes later this month, titled Shaka iLembe: Zulu King.

In one key image, we see King Shaka kaSenzangakhona, played by Lemogang Tsipa, standing alone on an icy mountain. Others show a close up of a crying Queen Nandi (Nomzamo Mbatha), while others show a village hut burning and a group of Zulu men standing in a circle. You can see them all below.

Season 3 of the Bomb Productions show, which is now MultiChoice’s Mzansi Magic in Africa, is set to drop soon. In 2025, we had the exclusive that this would be the landmark series’ last. The show follows the rise of King Shaka and his battles to rule his kingdom, with the story spanning late 18th century and early 19th century Africa.

The third season picks up four years after the events of Series 2, with Shaka’s kingdom dominant across Southern Africa but facing new external pressure, including British expansion and growing European influence. The story expands to include the emerging Basotho Kingdom of Moshoeshoe, King Faku’s Mpondo Kingdom and the settlement of Port Natal.

Lerato Mvelase (Justice Served, Marked) is joining the cast as Queen Mpikase; Aiden Scott (One Piece) will play Henry Francis Fynn, a British trader who becomes close to Shaka; Conrad Kemp (G20, Novocaine) is Lt. Francis Farewell; and Wonder Ndlovu (The Polygamist) plays Prince Mpande.

Shaka iLembe is South Africa’s most expensive drama TV production, MultiChoice’s highest-rated original and the recipient of the most wins by a drama series in a single year at South African screen awards the SAFTAs, with 12 wins including Best Drama Series. Angus Gibson is the director.

“Shaka iLembe: Zulu King is proof of what African storytelling can achieve when it’s given the room to be ambitious, told at scale, and shared from the inside out,” said Mbatha, who along with acting on screen as been a behind-the-camera force on the show. “As an executive producer, I’m most proud of the series’ success at home and abroad, and of its real contribution to our creative economy.”

Desireé Markgraaf, an executive producer at Bomb, added:“Making Shaka iLembe: Zulu King has been a journey of more than 12 years for the Bomb creative team. Our ambition was to tell this story with the scale, drama and epic sweep of world-class mainstream storytelling, while portraying the Africa we know and love with the dignity, complexity and humanity it deserves.

“Our partnership with M-Net, Studiocanal, and Canal+ has made this enormous undertaking possible, and we have been privileged to have the creative vision of Oscar-nominated director Angus Gibson guiding the series across all three seasons.”

Studiocanal is making the show a priority launch at MIPCOM after its parent company, Canal+, bought MultiChoice in a multi-billion dollar deal last year and added numerous titles to its catalog. The series has already been expanded into Francophone Africa through CanalAfrique+ Magic.

Anna Marsh, CEO of Studiocanal and Chief Content Officer of Canal+, said her company was “incredibly proud to bring Shaka iLembe: Zulu King to MIPCOM,” adding: “Our continued goal is to bring local stories to the world stage.

“Carried by an exceptional creative team this series speaks far beyond its borders; driven by world class storytelling, creative talent and authenticity the Shaka iLembe: Zulu King franchise is a monumental achievement in television and one which must be celebrated for its deeply universal human portrayal of legendary figures. A groundbreaking production.”

Nomsa Philiso, Vice President, Content at Canal+ Africa, added “The international launch of Shaka iLembe: Zulu King marks an important moment not only for this extraordinary franchise, but for African storytelling as a whole.

“MultiChoice has spent decades investing in local stories because we believe cultural authenticity and global appeal are not opposing ideas; they are mutually reinforcing. Shaka iLembe demonstrates that the most powerful stories are often the most specific, and we are delighted to see this proudly African production find new audiences around the world.”