BET Networks will premiere Madiba – a three-part miniseries telling the story of Nelson Mandela – over the nights of February 1s, 8th and 15th (8/7C).
Madiba stars Laurence Fishburne as Mandela. Co-stars includes Orlando Jones, David Harewood, Michael Nyqvist and Terry Pheto.
Details – and a clip – follow the jump.
BET NETWORKS ANNOUNCES AIRDATES FOR MADIBA, STARRING LAURENCE FISHBURNE AS NELSON MANDELA
MOVIE EVENT BASED ON THE COMPLETE LIFE OF MANDELA WILL AIR AS A THREE-PART SAGA FEBRUARY 1st, 8th, & 15th at 8 PM ET/PT AS THE CORNERSTONE OF BET’S BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROGRAMMING
MADIBA CO-STARS ORLANDO JONES, DAVID HAREWOOD, MICHAEL NYQVIST, AND TERRY PHETO
MADIBA is a Blue Ice Pictures and Out of Africa Entertainment Production in Association with Cinema Gypsy Productions
New York, NY – January 16, 2017 – BET Networks announced today its movie event Madiba, a three-part saga telling the definitive story of Nelson Mandela, that will air February 1st, 8th and 15 at 8 PM ET/PT. Madiba will be the cornerstone of BET’s Black History Month programming. Emmy award-winning and Oscar-nominated actor, playwright, director, and producer Laurence Fishburne (Black-ish, Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, The Matrix Trilogy) stars as Nelson Mandela. Orlando Jones (Sleepy Hollow, Drumline, The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea), David Harewood (Homeland, The Night Manager, Supergirl), Michael Nyqvist (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo), and Terry Pheto (Catch a Fire, Tsotsi) are co-starring.
Madiba, based on two Mandela autobiographies, Conversations with Myself and Nelson Mandela by Himself, tells the most personal and comprehensive story of Mandela’s life, focusing on the man, and his innermost thoughts and fears as he fought and sacrificed for freedom to become an international icon. While many recognize Mandela as the face of the Anti-Apartheid Movement, this mini-series also pays homage to the many lesser known men and women who sacrificed and suffered alongside of him in South Africa’s quest for freedom. Orlando Jones plays Oliver Tambo and David Harewood stars as Walter Sisulu, two of Mandela’s closest friends, while Michael Nyqvist plays Dr. H.F. Verwoerd, the prime minister of Apartheid-era South Africa from 1958 until his assassination in 1966. Terry Pheto plays Nelson’s second wife, Winnie Mandela.
The beautifully shot series was filmed exclusively in South Africa and on Robben Island, and along with detailing the early years of Mandela’s personal journey, MADIBA reveals the behind-the-scenes strategizing and bold organizing tactics he and his collaborators used to bring attention to their movement both domestically and internationally. Madiba is relevant in these times of racial unrest and serves as a reminder of the trials of political injustice, and giving us a roadmap of the hope and possibilities that come with being on the right side of history.
The six-hour mini-series is produced and financed by Blue Ice Pictures, and Out of Africa Entertainment Production in association with Cinema Gypsy Productions and executive produced by Blue Ice Pictures’ president, Lance Samuels. The film is directed by Kevin Hooks (Prison Break, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D). Hooks will be the first African-American director to helm a story about Mandela’s life and legacy. Madiba is written by Paul Webb (Selma), Jane Maggs (The Offering, To the Teeth) Janine Eser, Avie Luthra (Lucky) and Kathleen McGhee-Anderson (The Fosters, Lincoln Heights, Touched by an Angel).
###
About Blue Ice Pics:
Blue Ice Pictures is a film and television production, development and finance company based in Toronto with offices in London. The company acquired Daniel Iron’s Foundry Films to bolster its Canadian division. Blue Ice Group also bought Out of Africa Entertainment to establish a production base in South Africa.
About Out of Africa Entertainment:
Out of Africa Entertainment believes in the enormous contribution that Africa can offer the world’s film industry. Led by Adam Friedlander, Samantha Putter, and Kweku Mandela, Out of Africa produces quality content that not only is of the highest international standards, but is also commercially viable for both the local and international market. While continuing South Africa’s tradition as a cost-effective location for television and motion picture productions, Out of Africa simultaneously raises the bar on production quality in South Africa. As facilitators for visiting producers, Out of Africa offers a full range of services, including but not limited to financing and co-production advice, cost containment, budgeting and scheduling, and the pinpointing of the most advantageous locations and the best local cast and crew for each project.