R86 million budget': Gqeberha The Empire' replaces The Queen'

R86 million budget': Gqeberha The Empire' replaces The Queen'A new isiXhosa telenovela Gqeberha The Empire' will replace Mzansi Magic's telenovela The Queen' in January 2023.

by Rae Seleme

24-10-2022 16:21

in Soapies

Qhebhera The Empire' actors Zandile Msutwana and Zikhona Sodlaka. Image via Twitter @PhilMphela and @zandilemsutwana

Entertainment commentator Phil Mphela has announced that Mzansi Magic's popular telenovela The Queen will be replaced by the new telenovela Gqeberha The Empire in 2023.

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ALSO READ: The Queen' November Spoilers: Schumacher weds Mncedisi

NEW SHOW: Qhebhera The Empire

A new telenovela replacing The Queen is coming to Mzansi Magic

Produced by Tshedza Pictures, the show is set around the world of shipping and was shot in Eastern Cape this year.

The isiXhosa telenovela will air in January 2023.#KgopoloReports pic.twitter.com/8E8KcHwbY2

Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) October 24, 2022

ALSO READ: All the characters stretched me': The Queen' star Gaosi Raditholo

INSIDE NEW TELENOVELA: GQEBERHA THE EMPIRE' The upcoming isiXhosa telenovela Gqeberha The Empire will star former The Queen actress Zandile Msutswana, The Wife actress Zikhona Sodlaka and more.

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The show will be produced by The River and Legacy creators Phathu Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon from Tshedza Pictures.

Mphela also announced that the new telenovela is set around the world of shipping, is shot in Eastern Cape in 2022.

According to Mphela:

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Drama on the production of new telenovela Qhebhera The Empire, which will replace The Queen, is rumoured to be embroiled in financial drama. Actors' pay is delayed. Sources inform me the show is budgeted at R86 million, and partly funded by Eastern Cape govt.

CASTING NEWS:

Zandile Msutwana, Ayanda Mkayi, Phila Madlingozi and Zikhona Sodlaka in new telenovela

They star in Qhebhera The Empire, the new telenovela replacing The Queen on Mzansi Magic. #KgopoloReports pic.twitter.com/NwzAovPity

Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) October 24, 2022

ALSO READ: Londiwe was abused': The Queen's' Sthandile Nkosi on her role

THE QUEEN' CANCELLED The entertainment commentator also revealed in February that the Mzansi Magic telenovela will not be renewed for another season after almost seven years on TV.

The show, which is produced by Ferguson Films will come to an end by December 2022 according to Phil Mphela.

Several actors have exited the show since Mphela announced that the telenovela is coming to an end earlier this year:

Some of these actors include; Zandile Msutwana who played Vuyiswa Maake, Jessica Nkosi who played Thando Sebata, Rapulana Seiphemo who played Hector Sebata, Nomsa Butheledzi who played MaJali Khoza and more stars have left the show.

The show also added a new family (the Jamas) played by actress Sthandiwe Nkosi, who plays Londiwe Jama, Mbulelo Katise, who plays Duma Jama, and Tisetso Thoka, who plays the character of Ayihlome Jama.

The telenovela introduced the Jamas on Friday (29 July) at Hector's (Rapulana Seiphemo) funeral and the character of Douglas Jama died while having sex with his young wife Londiwe.

NEWS: Drama on production of new telenovela

Qhebhera The Empire, which will replace The Queen, is rumoured to be embroiled in financial drama.

Actors pay delayed.

Sources inform me the show is budgeted at R86-million, and partly funded by Eastern Cape govt.#KgopoloReports pic.twitter.com/okngV9lcrk

Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) October 24, 2022

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

The show, produced by Tshedza Pictures, is shot on location in Qhebhera, Eastern Cape.

Several sources have confirmed that the production has been marred by issues #DevelopingStory

Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) October 24, 2022

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Shooting on location is expensive.

R80m is not a lot for the 200+ telenovela have to put out.

I suppose the EC govt funding forms part of the province's plan to promote the city as a production destination.

It's been done with other shows and provinces. No big deal https://t.co/W0CU3CfOE7

Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) October 24, 2022

The mention of EC government nje on its own!!! Am not shocked

Mpho Molefe (@ramokupo) October 24, 2022

Problems even before the first episode, I'm not saying anything but whenever we see issues like this there is a common name in the producers names.

ht42 (@ht4211) October 24, 2022

Eastern Cape folks n money pic.twitter.com/rd0KIPOZ3e

uSne onesmilo (@Espin_Ozar) October 24, 2022

TV: #TheQueenMzansi CANCELLED

After almost 7 years on air, the Mzansi Magic telenovela will not be renewed for another season.

Barring any changes to accommodate wrapping the storylines, the show will likely end this year. #KgopoloReports pic.twitter.com/jSQ6V4jycU

Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) February 28, 2022

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LINK:	https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/soapies/breaking-gqeberha-the-...
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