Season 1
Bad Influencer is a South African crime drama television series which follows small-time con artist and single mom BK, who - to provide for her special needs son - teams up with wannabe luxe influencer Pinky to sell fake luxury handbags online.
Their scheme draws the attention of Bra Alex, a notorious criminal in a counterfeiting syndicate, as well as law enforcement.
Caught between criminals and cops, the unlikely duo must outfox both to stay out of jail, survive and thrive.
The bright lights of social media collide with the shadows of desperation in Bad Influencer, which blends crime drama with social commentary as the seven-part series balances high-stakes survival with the glossy illusions of influencer culture.
The series unfolds in a world where everyone is faking it until they're found out.
In a city that thrives on appearances, two women are pulled into a dangerous double life – one lived online, the other in the underworld.
At its heart is BK (Jo-anne Reyneke), a street-smart single mom whose greatest hustle is protecting her son.
Destiny puts her in the path of Pinky (Cindy Mahlangu), a rising influencer with flair and chaos to spare.
Both broken in their own ways, they spark a combustible partnership that thrives on ambition and risk.
Together, BK and Pinky descend into Jo'burg's counterfeit economy, selling fake luxury handbags.
Fame and fraud become indistinguishable, likes and lies trade places, and instinct demands they walk the knife-edge between heart and hustle.
In the shadows, darker forces stir; Bra Alex (Vincent Mahlape) and Jobs 'Flames' Jiyane (Hamilton Dlamini) rule the city's underbelly with ruthless authority.
Their presence is a constant reminder that in Jo'burg's relentless grind, there is always a bigger predator.
The cast includes former Miss South Africa, Zozibini Tunzi, in her first major acting role alongside Emmanuel Castis, Nat Ramabulana, Julia Anastasopoulos, Kamohelo Pule, Aubrey Poo, Modise Motaung, Brendon Daniels, Thapelo Mokoena and Lerato Nxumalo.
The series also features Relebogile Mabotja, Masasa Mbangeni, Zikhona Sodlaka and Tina Jaxa, along with cameo appearances from various influencers, including Mihlali Ndamase, Sarah Langa and Mohale Motaung.
Bad Influencer was created by Kudi Maradzika, developed by Lincoln Green Media and produced by Gambit Films.
The executive producers are Kudi Maradzika, Nosipho Dumisa, Bradley Joshua, Benjamin Overmeyer, Simon Beesley, Travis Taute and Daryne Joshua.
The directors are Keitumetse Qhali and Ari Kruger.
The head writers are Kudi Maradzika and Daniel Zimbler; Sydney Dire is also a writer.
Original music is by Tatenda Terence Kamera for The Seed Sessions.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Jo-anne Reyneke ... BK
Cindy Mahlangu ... Pinky
Recurring / Guests
Thapelo Mokoena ... Themba
Mandisa Nduna ... Joyce
Emmanuel Castis ... Babi Barlos
Nat Ramabulana ... Dingane
Aubrey Poo ... Mandla
Dee Rasedile ... Mimi (as Dineo Rasedile)
Zenokuhle Maseko ... Thulz
Andy Mnguni ... Fan Lady
Zikhona Sodlaka ... Thandz
Masasa Mbangeni ... Gorata
Mpilo Shabalala ... Leo
Modise Motaung ... Bheki
Kamohelo Pule ... Lelz
Zozibini Tunzi ... Naomi
Julia Anastasopoulos ... Dunia Barlos
Lerato Nxumalo ... Barbie
Akhenime Mfenyana ... Lindiwe
Lubabalo Tala ... Bully Kid
Azande Mkhungo ... Deluxe Sales Assistant 1
Ari Kruger ... Deluxe Manager
Sakhile Khumalo ... John
Alicia Joni ... Zinzi's Friend
Aphiwe Vezi ... Zinzi
Ntomboxolo Khubheka ... Lillian
Olwethu Mackay ... Lower End Influencer
Leddi Radebe ... Yummy Mummy
Blue Mbombo ... Herself
Liyema Pantsi ... Herself
Yolanda Monyai ... Herself
Pumla Dineo ... Herself
Mohale Motaung ... Himself
Ntokozo Nkomo ... Posh Sandton Boy
Sophie Gaotlhape ... Posh Sandton Lady
Nkululeko Xaba ... Deluxe Store Security
Emmanuel Mkhatshwa ... Felix
Akim Geteyema ... Andile
Vincent Mahlape-Sekuba ... Bra Alex
Elizardo Banikina ... Kofi
Musanete Sakupwanya ... Fungai
Lihle Ngubo ... Female Officer
Onyinye Ndubuisi ... Poppi
Kagiso Latane ... Bobo
Daryl Botha ... Principal of Leo's School
Paballo Landu ... Teen Pinky
Skhumbuzo Mvudla ... Tall Man
Enzokuhle Zuma ... Young Pinky (5)
Sthandile Nkosi ... Young Doreen
Zusiphe Garane ... Doreen's Lover
Azola Mona ... Herself
Tino Chinyani ... Himself
Thando Mfundisi ... Herself
Sarah Langa ... Herself
Sandra Pearl Zwane ... Stall Keeper
Matome Louis Setabole ... Hotel Porter
Tina Jaxa ... Doreen
Chumani Pan ... Tayo
Khayakazi Kula ... Miss Nkomo (as Khaya Kula)
Mayuri Naidu ... Hotel Manager
Andrian Mazive ... Mover
Hamilton Dlamini ... Jobs 'Flames' Jiyane (as Hamilton Dhlamini)
Charlie Bouguenon ... Jacques
Brendon Daniels ... Brigadier Booysens
Kudi Maradzika ... French Executive
Kirstin Erasmus ... News Reporter
Carlo Radebe ... Kgosi
Karabo Monomo ... Jazz Band Saxophonist
Bongani Dube ... Jazz Band Drummer
Nontobeko Masiye ... Jazz Band Guitar
Clement Kyanye ... Jazz Band Pianist and Band Leader
King B ... Lady V Co-Host
Lurdes Maswanganye ... Refilwe
Hallie Haller ... Crystal Chakra Hun Influencer
Alex West ... Teeny Bopper Influencer
Mich Mazibuko ... Moose
Relebogile Mabotja ... Lady V
Fiona Ramsay ... Mrs Leggett
Ebenhaezer Dibakwane ... Rasta Boyfriend
Tshego Koke ... Gym Jock #1
Tadeus Mbatha ... Gym Jock #2
Mihlali Ndamase ... Herself
Richard Mofokeng ... Workman 1
Philippus Boshoff ... Police Officer
Sihle Nontshokweni-Bikitsha Nurse
Lungi Pinda ... Doctor
Sima Mangolwane ... Sam
Yanda Mhlalukwana ... McJ
Nomfundo Kambule ... Salon Worker
David Konrad ... Mandla's Lawyer (as David Konrad Nilson)
Anton Dekker ... Magistrate
Christopher Jaftha ... Colin (as Chris Jaftha)
Tkay Kaula ... Tattooed Woman
Thato Rikhotso ... Bug Eyed Teen / Nyaope Boy
Viola Matjeke ... Sakes Assistant
Nombulelo Mhlongo ... Folu Influencer
Charmaine Mandlazi ... Porperty Officer Jail
Hlumela Qabo ... Khabonina
Patricia Kemmey ... Seamstress
Raylene Patrick ... Policewoman
Waldemar Coetsee ... Undercover Officer
Sphesihle Sikakane ... Police Officer
Tsholo Tema ... Police Officer
Hlanga Bukula ... Police Officer
Mpumelelo Mashego ... Himself
Happy Dondolo ... Prison Shower Girl
Lebogang Nkutha ... Prison Shower Girl
Adelaide Sibisi ... Prison Shower Girl
Londiwe Moyane ... Prison Shower Girl
Kamogelo Seepamere ... Prison Shower Girl
Kamohelo Letsie ... Prison Shower Girl