"The Office" Gets South African Adaptation

African streamer Showmax has secured rights to adapt the 2005 hit format “The Office” for South African audiences, in partnership with BBC Studios. 

The new version will debut on both Showmax and kykNET, DStv’s Afrikaans channel. Rapid Blue, part of BBC Studios’ international production network, is set to begin production in 2025. 

The South African edition, which remains untitled, will be filmed primarily in the Afrikaans language.

This marks the 14th international adaptation of “The Office,” following versions in Australia, France, Canada, Chile, Israel, India, the Middle East, and Poland, among others. 

The original British version of “The Office,” created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, premiered over 20 years ago and remains highly acclaimed. The American adaptation won five Emmy Awards and was the most streamed show globally in 2020.

The South African adaptation comes after Showmax’s February relaunch in partnership with Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Sky. 

The platform, now powered by Peacock, recently included all nine seasons of the American version of “The Office” in its offerings.

“The relaunch slate included all nine seasons of the American version of ‘The Office,’ which went straight into our top five international series on the platform for the month,” says Nicola van Niekerk, Showmax’s acting head of content. “So we know our audience is going to be as excited to see our hyperlocal version as we are to make it.”

Showmax has earned international recognition for recent scripted originals including “Spinners,” “Wyfie,” “Catch Me A Killer,” “Donkerbos,” “Koek” and “Adulting.” 

Rapid Blue’s credits include “Is’thunzi,” which earned Thuso Mbedu two International Emmy nominations, as well as formats like “Dancing With The Stars,” “The Bachelor,” “Family Feud,” “Got Talent,” “Shark Tank,” “Come Dine With Me” and “Homegrown Tastes South Africa.”

“Our very first Showmax Original was a mockumentary, ‘Tali’s Wedding Diary,’ so we’re delighted, just seven years later, to start reimagining the most iconic mockumentary of them all,” van Niekerk said.

“We are proud to be producing the first African version of ‘The Office’ for Showmax and kykNET,” added Rapid Blue managing director Ziyanda Ngcaba. “The format is globally recognized and adored by audiences all over the world.”