There's a frenzy of new local programming on TV at the moment and it isn't stopping anytime soon.
e.tv wraps April with a new action series called The Alliance which premieres on Wednesday, 27 April at 21h30.
Even though it's in the same genre as Heist, it has the unique quality of being a limited series. It only has eight episodes which means no-one has to commit to the show for months on end - a big drawcard considering how much there is to watch. It also creates a situation whereby audiences will be left hungry for more if it's good.
It's a co-production between Thata Isithombe Productions, Ochre Media and ANTS Multimedia and follows the life of Bra Jay, played by stage actor and scriptwriter Sifiso Simamane.
Bra Jay is a kingpin involved with organised crime who goes by the nickname of the Reserve Bank Governor of Soweto.
He's described as streetwise, strong and stubborn. He's always the suspect in any situation and arouses both aversion and affection amongst his family, business partners and the community. He has unlimited access to the law and the rewards of his money laundering channels.
Through the character and events that surround him, the series puts the spotlight on the damning consequences of organised crime, blood diamonds, drug cartels and money laundering. The story includes elements of the Hawks and the Russians which tie into these themes.
According to e.tv, the question at the centre of the show is: can a man with more enemies than friends save his sinking ship?
Joining Bra Jay in the cast are:
Evelyn Baloyi (Keneilwe Matidze)
Bra Jay’s second wife and stepmother to Nandi. She oozes nubile beauty and is evidently curvaceous. Born and bred in Soweto, she is a kasi woman of note. A child of shebeen owners who were tragically gunned down in the early 1990’s. A witness to the murder of her family, she is driven to revenge.
Nandi Nkabinde (Gugulethu Zulu)
Nandi is a beautiful young lady whose upbringing afforded her access to resources that most of her peers in Soweto could only dream of. From early on in her life, Nandi knew she had to uphold the highest moral standards through merely having a popular and respected (feared) man such as Bra Jay as her father.
The boys that had been brave enough to approach Nandi with their virile pleadings have been rejected because Nandi swore to keep her most prized possession - her virginity- to honour her Zulu culture and make her father proud when she turned 21 and had her umemulo.
Frank (Denzel Edgar)
“Tsetse” as he is widely known, is street smart. He wears well-tailored suits, and accessorises himself in expensive Swiss watches and Lizard skin slip- ons that accentuate his well-manicured hands. He seeks autonomy in his businesses outside of Bra Jay.
Currently, Bra Jay serves as a great ally for him to clean his millions but he has hidden resentment towards him because he doesn’t treat Tsetse as the equal that he imagines himself to be. Tsetse’s ambition to expand his business and surpass Bra Jay, finds him making alliances with unlikely people.
Sis Dee (Cebile Mlaba)
Dimpho Mokoena is a hard-up gangster who took on the reins of her husband Ofentse’s illegitimate drug and arms business. She acted as his “proxy” when he was jailed for a botched up armed bank robbery in the early 90’s. She sleeps with a 9mm under her pillow.
Dimpho grew up a pretty girl and was wanted by most of the boys in the hood. But when she started dating only gangsters, many on the straight path strayed from her. She has dated four big gangsters and her husband is the one she settled with.
Having experienced the underground world for a long time, Dimpho’s demeanour has changed and she has grown to become a woman well-versed in brutal intimidation.
Detective Riaan Malan (Robert Hobbs)
Morally bankrupt, Riian Malan is a detective with the Directorate of Priority Crime investigation (DPCI) and will only uphold the law to protect himself and those who butter his bread. At 58, Riaan is divorced with two teenage daughters and dreads his retirement days.
He craves the affection of a loving woman and wants to feel needed. He fills up the empty spaces by over indulging in alcohol and hopes to hit the big jackpot by gambling. His command falls under Soweto North, second in command in his department.
Vladimir Gorelev (Damon Berry)
Aka “The Russian”, Born in St. Pietersburg. Slight in build, with greying hair slicked back with hair gel. He wears an off-season tan that one only gets in the South of France. He's somber and sadistic in nature.
Single, with no off spring. A luminary, he sees the bigger picture. He's the son of a former Soviet Navy Lieutenant. Rebellious as a teenager, with a penchant for gambling.