Will 'Umkhokha' replace 'The Queen' or 'DiepCity' in 2023?

Will ‘Umkhokha’ replace ‘The Queen’ or ‘DiepCity’ in 2023?

The ‘Umkhokha’ team confirmed it will return in 2023 as a telenovela but couldn’t reveal if it will replace ‘DiepCity’ or ‘The Queen’ .

'Umkhokha' actors Deli Malinga, Nay Maps and Hope Mbhele. Image via Twitter @PhilMphela

Umkhokha producer Mandla KaNozulu has confirmed that the Mzansi Magic popular series will return in 2023 when DiepCity and The Queen end, KaNozulu also revealed that the show will return as a telenovela.

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ALSO READ: CANCELLED: ‘The Queen’ comes to an end after six seasons on TV

‘UMKHOKHA’ TELENOVELA

Umkhokha fans were not surprised when Phil Mphela announced earlier this year that the faith-based will return as a telenovela. The question is will the show replace DiepCity or The Queen?

The Sunday night thriller surpassed all expectations when it became one of the most-watched shows on the channel last year (2021).

Mphela also revealed that popular producer-writer Bongi Ndaba has been appointed as the head writer for the series from the second season.

The first season was headed by former Gomora, Isibaya, and Uzalo writer Chris Q Radebe.

Producer KaNozulu revealed to the publication that writers are busy with the scripts and the cast will be announced soon.

“I am happy to announce that Umkhokha is back and this time, it’s coming back as a telenovela. This means it’s going to be longer and not 13 episodes like in the first season.”
“We are coming back with a whole list of songs because Umkhokha is a unique production and we cannot play generic music.”

ALSO READ: Mzansi Magic’s ‘DiepCity’ gets cancelled after two years

WILL IT REPLACE ‘THE QUEEN’ OR ‘DIEPCITY’?

Daily Sun was tipped that the show will replace Black Brain Pictures’ DiepCity which ends in March 2023.

KaNozulu couldn’t confirm which channel the show will air on or when it returns when the publication enquired.

“For now, I am not sure of the dates but it’s probably going to start early 2023. I am also aware that two telenovelas are ending in the next few months and I suspect we might be taking one of those slots.”

Shirley Adonis, director of local entertainment at MNet confirmed DiepCity would be replaced with a new telenovela but would not say more when she was contacted.

ALSO READ:‘Flop like ‘The Queen’: ‘Umkhokha’ fans react to show turning to telenovela

ALSO READ:Actress Delisile Malinga: ‘Umkhokha changed my life forever’