Die Spreeus (The Starlings) is a South Africa, Afrikaans-language supernatural crime procedural series which tells the story of two fearless detectives - Bas Koorts and Beatrice Mack - who investigate a new phenomenon each week and try to solve crimes... even in worlds that are not our own.
Well-known South African tales of the unexpected were used as a basis for the series, including the ghost woman of Uniondale, the Tokoloshe and CJ Langenhoven's classic short story "Die Bouval op Wilgerdal".
Chris Vorster, Sandi Schultz and Monique Rockman lead a cast that includes supporting roles played by Ludwig Binge, Tarryn Wyngaardt, Jacques Bessenger, Amalia Uys, De Klerk Oelofse and Lida Botha, among others.
The Team
Sebastian 'Bas' Koorts
played by Chris Vorster
Detective Bas Koorts was once a razor-sharp policeman, but behind his friendly personality lies a tragic secret. When he is brought back to set up Die Spreeus, his past is dragged up again.
We see flashes of his brilliant detective power, his sixth sense and original thinking - but also disturbing signs of unprocessed trauma.
Beatrice Mack
played by Monique Rockman
After studying the sciences Beatrice Mack joins the police, much to her father's dismay. She is a loner struggles to hide her distaste for chancers and nonsense.
Sometimes her hard-nosed stance is exactly what is needed to solve a case, but sometimes haste trips her up. She amazes everyone, including herself, when Die Spreeus becomes her new calling.
Rosa Scheffers
played by Sandi Schultz
Rosa Scheffers is a brigadier in the SAPS and head of Die Spreeus. As a successful divorced woman she focuses everything on her career, but when she is diagnosed with a unique genetic condition at the start of the series, she begins to think differently about life and death.
Rosa is constantly struggling to justify the existence of Die Spreeus.
With their background in psychology and science, Sebastian and Beatrice always try to solve the ghostly phenomenon by rational methods. Sometimes they are successful; other times not.
Each week brings a new mystery that promises to leave the hair standing up on the back of your neck.
Die Spreeus was created by Tertius Kapp and Jaco Bouwer and is an M-Net Original Production produced by kykNET and Marche Media. Jaco Bouwer is the director and Tertius Kapp is the writer. Music is by Pierre-Henri Wicomb.
The executive producers are Jaco Smit, Herman Binge, Roelof Storm, Louis Botha, Albert Geldenhuys and Sonja Roux. The producer is Kate Schalk and the supervising producers for kykNET are Wikus du Toit and Tina Kruger.