Over 30 cast and crew members face potential unemployment as Gqeberha: The Empire may be canceled. The telenovela is concluding production this month with no plans for a return, leaving actors anxious for the official decision, according to ZiMoja
An actor in the show informs ZiMoja that their futures rest with Tshedza Pictures, the production company behind the drama series.”Asazi (we don’t know, we doubt the show is returning. Season two was forced because of the negative publicity it got. They brought it back to try and prove a point, but now the ratings have not been amazing,’ she says. “We have not been updated on the contracts,” the source said.
The show began a bit shaky but improved, securing a second season. It was a groundbreaking isiXhosa telenovela filmed in the Eastern Cape, introducing new talent from the region. Currently, it struggles with viewership, averaging around 400k and peaking at 580k in May.
When they started, actors complained about the ill-treatment, low pay, and sketchy living conditions. “We didn’t do well in all honesty. But the show had a great run. It’s now back to us having to find work. We won’t blame the production. These things happen. That is the nature of the business I am afraid.’
CEO of General Entertainment at MultiChoice Group, Nomsa Piliso says the channel still needs to decide. “We have not made a call as yet on whether or not we will return for season three, but an announcement will be made after the decision.”
