Shaka

British actor Charles Babalala will play the character of Shaka Zulu in a new series commissioned for US network Showtime.
Images via Twitter
@charlesbabz20

‘The disrespect!’: Tweeps livid after British actor cast as Shaka Zulu

‘In that case, they should’ve just made Carl Niehaus play Shaka’: One tweep posted of the series starring a British actor as the Zulu king.

Shaka

British actor Charles Babalala will play the character of Shaka Zulu in a new series commissioned for US network Showtime.
Images via Twitter
@charlesbabz20

Award-winning South African thespian Warren Masemola has joined the international cast of the Showtime series King Shaka, which will stars a British man in the lead role of the Zulu royalty.

Days after Zulu king Misuzulu was officially crowned, news of a series celebrating his famous ancestor was announced.

But whilst SA boasts a wealth of talented actors, Charles Babalola – of the UK – has been cast as Shaka Zulu. To add insult to injury, French actress Aïssa Maïga has been cast as Shaka Zulu’s mother Nandi.

ALSO READ: Shaka, is that you? Tweeps spot Zulu king actor clone at coronation

US ACTOR BAGS SHAKA ZULU ROLE

According to Variety, the production of King Shaka will take place next month in the Zulu royal’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal. The publication reports that the series will be filmed exclusively in South Africa and is scheduled to debut on the US network Showtime in 2023.

The series was the brainchild of Nigerian filmmakers Olu Odebunmi and Tolu Awosika.

Charles Babalola will star as Shaka in the film exploring the journey from warrior to Zulu king. He will, however, be joined by a few local faces. 

Warren Masemola will play Shaka’s friend Magazwa, while Thapelo Mokoena will star as Qwabe leader Gendeyana. Actress Thando Dlomo will play Zulu maiden Pampatha.

The Showtime series is not the only production about Shaka Zulu in progress. Actress Nomzamo Mbatha is also producing a series – titled Shaka Ilembe – about the Zulu king.

Unlike the Showtime series, the local production, set to air on Mzansi Magic in mid-2023, will feature a proudly South African cast.

The series even received the stamp of approval from the Zulu king Misuzulu himself.

TWEEPS ARE ENRAGED

The news of another Shaka Zulu series has been met will applause for its proudly SA storyline … except for its casting.

Many tweeps have bemoaned the fact that a local actor was not cast as the Zulu king.

Here’s what tweeps had to say:

@Qokx85: “We have great Zulu actors that can act that leading role”

@just_carol8: “Does he speak any Zulu? Eish is this going to be one of those where a Zulu king speaks with a strange ‘African’ accent?”

@lulushezi: “I won’t be watching this one. The Bomb Productions [Shaka Ilembe] one is what we’re waiting for. Even King Misuzulu approves”

@GThlapane: “What do these people know about SA history and why is the role played by some British dude?”

@melantheran: “In that case, they should just have made Carl Niehaus play Shaka Zulu”

Twitter