Series: Sakho & Mangane, first French-speaking African series on Netflix

The Senegalese series “Sakho et Magane” created by Jean Luc Herbulot made its entry in the Netflix catalogue at the end of 2020. A first for a French-speaking African series and a new opening of the American streaming giant to works produced on the continent.

Sakho et Magane made its entry into the Netflix catalogue on 27 December 2020. A great consecration for this original Canal + series shot in Senegal and created by Jean Luc Herbulot. The series caused a sensation from its first broadcast in 2019 on the French channel. And for good reason the originality of its history. The detective series tend to follow the same pattern of operation. Two completely separate police officers who have to live together to carry out investigations. This is the case between Sakho played by Issaka Sawadogo and Magane played by Yann Gael. Only here to the conventional detective plot is added a mystical and metaphysical dimension which makes it possible to distinguish the series and to place it in an African reality.

The arrival of the series on Netflix is a major step forward for cinema in French-speaking Africa. Until now, films from Anglo-Saxon African countries have taken pride place in the catalogue of the American streaming giant. A new life is therefore opening up for this series which required 3 years of development, more than a year of preparation and 3 months of filming. The series unfortunately ended after a season of 8 episodes of 52 minutes each. On the other hand, this entry of the series on Netflix confirms the growing desire of the VOD platform to conquer the African market which represents the future. Also in this perspective, a few weeks ago the American firm included Zimbawean billionaire Strive Masiyiwa join its board of directors. The year 2021 will certainly see several other African productions included in the catalogue of the American giant.

Rostand Wandja

Tags: Netflix Sakho & Magane Senegal