The Queen, Durban Gen, Imbewu, Lingashoni, DiepCity and now the curtain's dropping on The River too.
M-Net has announced that the Tshedza Pictures-produced 1Magic series will end after
Season 6, which premieres this Monday (6 February).
Unlike some of the other series e.g. The Queen, Durban Gen and Getroud Met Rugby last year, The River's final season will end with a full 260 episodes, which takes it to February 2024.
The news isn't surprising considering the current cancellation craze and the exodus of three of the series' original cast who won't be in Season 6.
As we told you
here, Hlomla Dandala, Lawrence Maleka and Tango Ncetezo aren't reprising their roles as Zweli, Zolani and Paulina in the new season.
Their star power will be replaced by Scandal!, Isibaya and Generations star Siyabonga Thwala who's
stepping in as Lindiwe's lurve interest.
This from series creator Phathu Makwarela, Executive Producer at Tshedza Pictures:
“When we created The River seven years ago, we knew that we wanted to tell a story that will have a definite ending.
"Now on its sixth season, we feel the time is right to bring the story of these beloved characters to an end, on our own terms and when viewers still treasure the show.
"As the saying goes, 'a good dancer always knows when to leave the stage', and now it’s that time for The River."
----
And this from Shirley Adonisi, Director of Local Entertainment Channels at M-Net:
“At M-Net Local Entertainment Channels we would like to extend our most sincere gratitude to the cast and crew of The River for a memorable five years.
"Their hard work, dedication and brilliance have led to the telenovela’s success. The final season is going to be the show’s most epic one yet. The drama will be bigger and better, setting the stage for the ultimate finale.”
-----
Food for thought: does this mark the end of 1Magic too?
It's one of the only shows on 1Magic that M-Net promotes when it comes to publicity and once it's gone, what then?
Local shows often premiere on 1Magic first but they're roundly ignored in favour of their run on Mzansi Magic, which happens days later.
Also, TVSA Members have been
questioning the relevance of 1Magic for years so will this be IT?
Ponder that while playing this trailer for The River's final season: