The concept and starring cast of Isibaya's replacement have been confirmed by Mzansi Magic and they've wisely avoided the
Curse of the I's by titling it with a D.
It's working name was Diepsloot but it's been changed to DiepCity and it premieres on Monday 5 April at 20h30.
It centres round the trials, tribulations and exploits of Nokuthula "Nox" Jele, a small time burglar and hustler played by Nozuko Ncayiyane (Skeem Saam, Scandal!), who was known earlier in her career as Pretty Ncayiyane.
She's joined by Mduduzi Mabaso, who says goodbye to his long-time alter ego Suffocate on
the cancelled Rhythm City and hello to Elliot, a rogue security guard and low-level gangster who was involved in a robbery with Nox which went tragically wrong.
Nox's bright straight-A student younger brother Sibusiso (Tshiamo Molobi) was fatally shot during a house robbery he was not supposed to be part of and Nox was arrested and spent time behind bars.
The story begins after her release as she returns to find her family.
What does she discover?
Her alcoholic father Bonga, played by Hamilton Dlamini, has lost his job, her family are still in a shack and her mother Thandiwe continues to be a domestic worker.
The one big change between Nox's past and present: Thandiwe's inability to forgive her for Sibusiso's death.
The role of Thandiwe is played by Dawn Thandeka King, who took the Exit door at Uzalo for this show. Her final appearances as MaNgcobo are coming up in April.
In addition to Nox's story, the show also explores the lives of three other young women who are interwined with Nox, all connected by the fact that they committed crimes in high school in order to make ends meet.
This is who they are and who's playing them:
Lerato Theledi
Played by Kgaogelo Monama (Thandeka's Diary, Lockdown)
Lerato's main focus is to get out of Diepsloot and to gain independence from Elliot.
Lerato is the great beauty of the group. The smart slay queen who had to grow up very quickly and become a mother to her younger brother when her mother died when she was 14-years-old.
When Elliot wanted to take her and her little brother in, she resisted. She only let her brother move into Elliot’s house when a boyfriend wanted her to live with him in Sandton.
Asanda Ndungane
Played by Zikhona Bali (Mfolozi Street, Is'thunzi)
Asanda is the one with book smarts in the group, she is great with numbers. All she ever wanted is to stay away from a life of crime so that she could be a worthy mate for her pastor boyfriend.
Asanda was raised by a deeply religious grandmother who did her best to provide and raise Asanda and her many cousins well.
Snenhlanhla ‘’Sne’’
Played by Nompumelelo Vilakazi (Television newcomer)
Sne has tried to find the strength within herself to get out of her tough life, she has the resources within but she has given up her power.
She's the gossip of the group. The one who knows everything that’s going on in the streets. Her bubbly, open and friendly disposition makes her easily approachable. She’s friendly with most people.
And more about Nox, Thandiwe and Elliot...
Nox has always been a smart, funny and resourceful young woman, a hustler who works hard to take care of her family. She has a knack for fixing things, easily understands mechanical and electrical things.
She never intended to get into crime much less housebreaking, but Elliot painted it as such an easy operation with high financial returns.
Thandiwe is a strict, uncompromising mother who rules her household with an iron-fist. She doesn’t believe in sparing the rod and is determined to make sure that none of her children end up failures.
Elliot is a man who has learnt that no matter how good of a person you are, if you never cross the line between legal and illegal, you will always end up being a loser.
He is respected as a grootman but also feared by many, and his criminal dealings are not public knowledge but everyone knows to never mess with his wife or any of his family.
The series is produced by Mandla N for Black Brain Pictures (Lockdown, Abo Mzala, eHostela).
Here's a trailer...