Madam & Eve is a South African television sitcom based on the comic strip Madam and Eve created by S. Francis, H. Dugmore and Rico which takes a humorous look at the unique relationship between two South African women as they reach out to each other – across the kitchen – in the new South Africa.
The series is based around the relationship between a middle-class white woman, Gwen Anderson ("Madam"), and her black maid, Eve Sisulu, coming to terms with the new South Africa as the Apartheid era draws to a close.
Like the cartoon strip, the sitcom examine the fears, prejudices and foibles of white and black South Africans alike, aiming to show South Africans the absurdities of separateness.
Madam & Eve is, more than anything else, a comedy of hope and reconciliation.
The series was produced by Penguin Films and shot in studio at Sasani Studios in Cape Town. The creative producer and director was Roberta Durrant and the executive producer for e.tv was Deva Britow. The music was composed by Bright Productions Cape Town.
Casting
The role of Eve was played by Motshabi Tyelele in Season 1. She was replaced in Season 2 by Tina Jaxa.
Patricia Sanders, who played Mother Edith Anderson, was diagnosed with cancer in June 2005 and took a break from the show. She was replaced in the role by Paddy Canavan and died a week before the series finale aired on e.tv.
Broadcast Notes
Only the first season and nine episodes of Season 2 aired on eKasi+, after which the show was cancelled and replaced by 227. The reason given by the channel for dropping Madam & Eve was "part of the eKasi+ structural change which was effective in June (2016)".
Starring
Val Donald Bell
as
Gwen "Madam" Anderson
Motshabi Tyelele
as
Eve Sisulu (Season 1)
Tina Jaxa
as
Eve Sisulu (Seasons 2-4)
Patricia Sanders
as
Mother Anderson