*Cue the Makro voiceover*
"S'UHmeone's in a paying mooood."
After months of financial crisis and the resulting shutdown, someone's been very busy with EFTs and Queendom is back.
If you missed the memo on what transpired you'll find the 411 here:
From royalty to poverty: the inside scoop on Queendom's downfall on BET
Paramount Africa has announced that it's returning to BET on Monday 23 September at the same times: Mondays to Thursdays at 18h30, with repeats at 21h30.
They haven't said who coughed up but it's obvious that Paramount recognises how important South African content is for BET because they're launching a new local drama in the same week as Queendom's return.
It's a 13-episode boxing drama titled Pound 4 Pound and it follows an all-woman amateur boxing team who must learn the tricks of the trade after they enter an international tournament in Lagos with little to no experience.
It premieres on Sunday 29 September at 18h30 and stars Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa and Mduduzi Mabaso who's become an apparition. One minute you see him here and the next he's over there, on e.tv's House of Zwide right now.
And before that he was in Queendom and debuted on HoZ in the wake of the troubles. Same thing with Themba Ndaba and Sindi Dlathu who are on e.tv's Isiphetho.
We've asked BET what's happening with them and they tell us that all of the cast will be returning to Queendom but as you'll see, it might not be for long.
This from Monde Twala - SVP and GM for Paramount Africa and Lead for BET International:
All our cast are returning to the Queendom set. As part of the storyline of love, power and betrayal, some of our characters will die before the end of the season, but we don’t want to give away any spoilers.
Many of our cast work on more than one production at a time. This is not uncommon in the industry. For example, Mduduzi has just joined the cast of Pound 4 Pound, while also acting on Queendom and House of Zwide.
Viewers will have to tune in to see how the drama unfolds. We are thrilled to bring this well loved daily drama back to BET viewers.
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Clive Morris Productions is still producing it.
What to expect when it resumes? Here's a tease:
The show returns with a royal showdown as Prince Andile finally confronts his brother, King Banzi, about the throne.
Tholakele faces a life-changing decision, while Ntando, now aware of her royal bloodline, grapples with some tough choices - especially regarding her brewing love triangle.