Blood Legacy (TV series)

Blood Legacy is a 2024 South African drama television series created and written by Diego Gutiérrez for Netflix. Adapted from the series Monarca, the show was produced by Gambit Films and premiered on September 20, 2024, with twenty episodes. The series stars Xolile Tshabalala as Khanyi Adesina and Anthony Oseyemi as Akin Adesina. Blood Legacy follows Khanyi returning home to take control of her family’s business empire, which is on the verge of collapse due to corruption. Executive producers of the series include Bradley Joshua, Benjamin Overmeyer, Nosipho Dumisa-Ngoasheng, Daryne Joshua, Travis Taute, and Simon Beesley. Actress and producer Connie Chiume passed away during the production of the first season.

Blood Legacy
Genre	Drama
Created by	Diego Gutierrez
Based on	Monarca by Diego Gutiérrez
Directed by	Nozipho Nkelemba
Starring	Xolile Tshabalala Buyile Mdladla Connie Chiume
Country of origin	South Africa
Original language	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	20
Production
Executive producers	Bradley Joshua Benjamin Overmeyer Travis Taute
Editors	Tanja Hagen Paul Martin van Wyk Nomfundo Lucia Masango
Production company	Gambit Films
Original release
Network	Netflix
Release	September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20) – present

Synopsis

When the CEO of Spear Industries is found dead in the sugarcane fields of KwaZulu-Natal, it sparks a fierce battle among his children for control of the company.

Cast

• Xolile Tshabalala as Khanyi Adesina
  • Amar Mthwana as Young Khanyi Adesina
• Anthony Oseyemi as Akin Adesina
• Buyile Mdladla as Mandla Ndlovu
• Mike Ndlangamandla as Siya Ndlovu
• Connie Chiume as Madlamini Ndlovu
• Treasure Nkosi as Bhekisizwe Ndlovu
• Dineo Rasedile as Amahle Adesina
• Unathi Mkhize as Njabulo Adesina
• Pallance Dladla as Zahhele Ndlovu
• Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa as Gabisile Ndlovu
• Thabiso Ramotshela as Nido Ndlovu
• Nandipa Khubone as Thuli Ndlovu
• Bonga Dlamini as Dumisani Khumalo
• Wiseman Zitha as Lungelo Blanco
• Michael Everson as Sean Conners
• Dawn Thandeka King as Liyana Vezi
• Maud Adams as Msizi
• Jerry Mofokeng as Tumi Mashishi
• Rashid Mlongo as News Reporter
• Sonwabili Banisi as Cape Town Cop

Episodes

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date
1	"The Call"	Nozipho Nkelemba	Diego Gutiérrez	September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
When her estranged father asks her to come home, journalist Khanyi learns he is planning to make her CEO of Spear Industries, the family business.
2	"The Pruning"	Nozipho Nkelemba	Diego Gutiérrez	September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
Khanyi weighs her father's offer after a confrontation with her brother Mandla, but a death in the family changes everything.
3	"The Wake"	Nozipho Nkelemba	Diego Gutiérrez	September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
The Ndlovu siblings mourn their loss while trying to hide the details of what happened from family members, friends and the authorities.
4	"The Will"	Nozipho Nkelemba	Diego Gutiérrez	September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
As the family gathers for the funeral, Khanyi learns who she's up against. Her mother Madlamini is left with a difficult choice.
5	"Descent"	Nozipho Nkelemba	Diego Gutiérrez	September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
A violent attack on the company forces Khanyi to hold her own against a powerful gang. Gabisile grooms Siya to take over as CEO.
6	"The Choice"	Nozipho Nkelemba	Diego Gutiérrez	September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
Thuli is on a mission to buy a house. Khanyi makes a bet with Mandla to resolve the drivers' strike and get sugarcane deliveries back on track.
7	"The Coronation"	Sonwabili Banisi	Diego Gutiérrez	September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
Khanyi's first day as CEO of Spear is immediately undermined by Mandla. At her boarding school, Amahle sees Nido's true colors.
8	"Filthy Rich"	Nozipho Nkelemba	Diego Gutiérrez	September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
Feeling left behind, Akin considers an offer to dig into the Ndlovu family. Mandla hatches a plan to bring down Khanyi — and Spear along with her.
9	"The Anniversary"	Nozipho Nkelemba	Diego Gutiérrez	September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
Following an act of sabotage, Khanyi reaches out to Zakhele for help with Spear's 25th anniversary celebrations. Siya is torn between love and duty.
10	"All that Glitters"	Sonwabili Banisi	Diego Gutiérrez	September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
Tensions rise at the anniversary party as the Ndlovu siblings continue to snipe at each other. Amahle catches Nido in a compromising position.
11	"The Lion's Den"	Nozipho Nkelemba	Diego Gutiérrez	September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
Khanyi becomes entangled in the public outcry against Nido, while Mandla tries to negotiate with the A6, only to quickly realize he's in over his head.
12	"A Deal with the Devil"	Nozipho Nkelemba	Diego Gutiérrez	September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
Fed up with being sidelined, Lungelo ends the relationship with Siya. Amahle bravely reveals the truth about what she witnessed, while Akin faces mounting pressure from his editor.
13	"Fight or Flight"	Nozipho Nkelemba	Diego Gutiérrez	September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
As Spear struggles with scandal and debt, Khanyi arranges an asset sale that puts Siya in a difficult position. Meanwhile, Amahle faces ridicule upon her return to school.
14	"Crossroads"	Sonwabili Banisi	Diego Gutiérrez	September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
As the sugarcane fields go up in flames, Khanyi finds herself under intense pressure. Siya sends Nido overseas, while the A6 pulls Mandla into a plot for a political assassination.
15	"Coup d'état"	Nozipho Nkelemba	Diego Gutiérrez	September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
Thuli uncovers the truth behind her mother's suicide, while Akin confronts Khanyi over suspicions of her infidelity. Meanwhile, Gabisile delivers an ultimatum to Siya.
16	"Revelations"	Nozipho Nkelemba	Diego Gutiérrez	September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
With Dumi's assistance, Khanyi moves closer to uncovering her father's murderer. Meanwhile, Mandla is forced to take the fall for the assassination attempt.
17	"The Time for Truth"	Nozipho Nkelemba	Diego Gutiérrez	September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
Hoping to prompt Nido into revealing the truth, Siya confesses his own. Meanwhile, Zakhele reprimands Mandla for his reckless actions.
18	"Judas"	Nozipho Nkelemba	Diego Gutiérrez	September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
As Khanyi retraces her father's final moments, she uncovers the identity of his killer. Meanwhile, Gabisile sows discord between Siya and Nido.
19	"House of Cards"	Nozipho Nkelemba	Diego Gutiérrez	September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
As the police and the A6 close in, Mandla makes a desperate attempt to set things right. Meanwhile, Khanyi leaks incriminating documents to the press, triggering deadly consequences.
20	"The Harvest"	Nozipho Nkelemba	Diego Gutiérrez	September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
With the fate of Spear and the Ndlovu family at stake, Khanyi confronts her father's murderer — but the killer still has one last move to make.

Production

In August 2024, Netflix announced the green light to release Blood Legacy, an adaptation of the 2019 Spanish crime thriller series Monarca, created by Diego Gutiérrez. The new version featured an entirely fresh cast, predominantly South African actors, differing from the original series. A 4-minute teaser for the show was released on August 28, 2024, followed by the official trailer on September 5, 2024 Actress and producer Connie Chiume passed away during the final stages of production for the first season.

On September 12, 2024, Truelove Magazine interviewed the cast of Blood Legacy. The interview featured Xolile Tshabalala, who portrayed Khanyisile Adesina, Buyile Mdladla, who played Mandla Ndlovu, and Mike Ndlangamandla, who took on the role of Siya Ndlovu. During the discussion, Xolile Tshabalala spoke about her character, highlighting Khanyisile’s complexity and the gradual evolution of her personality throughout the series. she stated:

"One minute you can see her vulnerability then when the fire – I mean, she’s a slow burn. She doesn’t just suddenly become this powerful person. She starts easy and she loves her kids, she loves her husband. Life happens, somebody else comes along."

Release

Blood Legacy was released on September 20, 2024, exclusively on Netflix.

Reception

Pramit Chatterjee of DMTalkies remarked, "When it comes to the technical aspects of Blood Legacy, the lighting, production design, and costumes are passable. That’s about the only praise I can give the show. Everything else is a disaster. The editing is nearly criminal—scenes start and end abruptly, only to return to the same point later without any clear purpose. For instance, there's a conversation between Siya and Madlamini about Siya's sexuality, which should have been emotionally charged. Instead, the episode cuts away to something unrelated, only to awkwardly return to the conversation minutes later." He added, "I feel bad for the cast of Blood Legacy. They are undoubtedly talented, but the poor writing around their characters prevents their individual and collective efforts from elevating the material."

Mbali Mbatha from City Press described the season as "realistic," praising the cast for their performances throughout all 20 episodes. She specifically highlighted Connie Chiume's acting, stating:

"But one thing about the late small-screen queen—give her any character, and she will do it justice. Watching her portray the wife of a tycoon reminded me of the stunning outfits she wore on global red carpets. I concluded that bowing out with a character that aligned with the fashionista she was, made for such a powerful exit."

Mbatha further commended the series, saying: "Hats off to the team for introducing a character that speaks directly to me and many other Black South African women. Growing up, we were taught to endure mistreatment from toxic parents because our blessings were said to be in their hands. Cutting them off was viewed as inviting curses and failure. The 'good Sis' in the show, however, pursued an MBA, is successful in her career, happily married, and raising healthy and happy children."

External links

• Blood Legacy at IMDb