Paradys is a South African telenovela and a multi-generational family drama about a once promised "Coloured paradise" that never materialised — and the two families trapped in the remnants of that dream: the Booysen family and the Malgas family.
In the series premiere we are introduced to the character of Rochelle Booysen, played by Lorcia Cooper.
Rochelle fled Paradys 16 years ago after running away with the baby she carried as a surrogate for her sister, Natasha Malgas (Chantal Stanfield).
Now, forced back home by her father, Reverend Clive Booysen's murder, in a role played by Roderick Jafta.
Rochelle must confront the ghosts she left behind, the town that cast her out, and her father's former friend, Vinny Malgas (Elton Landrew) – a powerful businessman determined to bury the truth about Clive's murder.
When Clive is murdered on his 60th birthday, Rochelle returns to Paradys with 15-year-old Kim (Sharne Coetzee), opening old wounds.
The series explores legacy, faith, betrayal and family expectations, as well as the battle between morality and greed.
Paradys lives where religion meets crime, where the holy word and the hustle coexist sometimes in the same heart.
The town breathes with dust, sweat, worship, money and whispered sins.
It is spiritual but not soft, dangerous but deeply emotional.
A world where family wars feel biblical and every character is carrying both a bible verse and a secret that could undo them.
Other cast members include Ilse Klink as Elizabeth, Vaughn Lucas as Quinton, Reginald Hufkie as Zyf, Cindy Jantjies as Fareeda, Keenan Sherman as Boitjie, Zane Meas as Rev. Frankie Noble, Dillan Park as Richie, Vuyo Ngcukana as Nkateko, Obed Baloyi as Patrick, Sasha-Lee Kelly as Wanita and Johny Klein as Voete.
Paradys is an SABC Original Series, created by Mandla N and Mpumelelo Nhlapo and produced by Black Brain, with Mandla N, Mpumelelo Nhlapo and Annelie van Rooyen serving as executive producers.
The series producer is Zikona Anam Debese and the directors are Mandla N, Natalie Haarhoff, Kenna Mahlangu and Rohan Horn.
The head writers are Eddie Thaba and Piet Matipa, with a writing team including Sihle Mthembu, Ricardo Arendse, Rami Zakany, Shemane Harris, Chinaka Iwunze, Nombulelo Mcwerah, Zinhle Bobi, Lynn Kekana, Mamello Ngoepe, Jurgen Hellberg, Glenrose Ndlovu-Udeh, Martina Theunissen, Philbeth Diaho, Lauren Scholtz, Ashlynne Kelly Jones and Kuntha Ndimande.
Music is by JR Bogopa, Craig Palm, Keegan Jay Martin and Rahim du Plessis.