Put ‘Queen Sono’ At The Top Of Your Quarantine & Chill Watch List
Since I’ve been at home self-quarantining, I’ve had the chance to dive into a few great Netflix shows. One series that I avidly binge-watched in just a day was the first African script-to-screen Netflix Original series called Queen Sono. It is an action-packed thrill ride centered on the humorous and fearless heroine, Queen (portrayed by fabulous Pearl Thusi). She’s the daughter of freedom fighter, Safiya Sono, who is beloved in the eyes of many Black and conscious South Africans for her post-Apartheid activism. Queen is such a stand out character in her own right since she works as an intelligent, beautiful, ass-kicking spy.
Inside Africa’s First Original Netflix Series
Queen Sono doesn’t strictly follow spy tropes of defeating an evil genius hellbent on destroying the whole world or stopping nuclear codes from dispatching. For one, the big baddie is a fierce businesswoman determined to avenge the death of her brother. Queen Sono herself is on a mission to understand what led to her mother’s assassination when a few key details don’t add up. Simultaneously, she’s on the ground fighting back terrorist and totalitarian organizations.
The show includes socio-political issues relevant to the region in its dynamic narrative. Ultimately, this is a breath of fresh air! The aftermath of Apartheid in South Africa is explored. The show also takes a look at the continued ripple effects of colonialism and imperialism on most of the continent. Needless to say, focusing on a Black female spy other than a white, often wealthy, male is welcomed nuance to the spy-genre in my eyes. I especially love when Queen flashes her natural hair in a fight-scene or wears beautiful headscarves. The settings and costumes are so well-thought-out.
Queen Sono’s Pan Africanism
As a spy, we get to see Queen go to places like Tanzania and Kenya. “Queen Sono was in production for over eight weeks and was shot in 37 different locations across Africa, including the Johannesburg CBD, Sandton, Park Station, Soweto, Lagos, Kenya, and Zanzibar,” (BGN). I could sense there was a strong purpose in showing the beauty of these places. I loved how the show stayed rooted in Africa since so many spy flicks are set in Europe, America, etc. Queen is definitely devoted to protecting the people of Africa.
Other characters also visit places like the Congo, further offering a Pan-African feel to the show. Since many of our characters, Queen specifically, speak multiple languages like English, Zulu, Tswana, and Swahili, the show also feels so authentic and inclusive. I was left in awe at how easily characters switched languages at the drop of a dime without skipping a beat!
If you are looking for something to binge-watch and come across Queen Sono, you will not be disappointed if you click on it. In fact, you’ll be on the edge of your seating hoping season 2 will start as soon as you finish the last episode! Check Netflix South Africa’s between the scene moments to know how Queen Sono was so excitingly developed. I was not expecting to become so enthralled by the story, the atmosphere and culture as much as I was. The show is so very well done from its cinematography, subject matter, and most importantly to its well-crafted female characters. #Quarantine&Chill with Queen Sono!
Watch The Official ‘Queen Sono’ Trailer:
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Kai 😀
