Netflix has acquired its first original animated series from Africa, as part of its growing acquisition of content from the continent.
Mama K’s Team 4 follows four teenage girls, living in a futuristic version of Lusaka, Zambia, who are recruited by a retired secret agent to save the world. The series was created by Zambian writer Malenga Mulendema and designed by the Cameroonian artist Malcolm Wopea.
According to Variety, Mulendema said she was inspired to create Mama K’s by her own experience growing up in her native Zambia and watching cartoon heroes that looked nothing like her.
“In creating a superhero show set in Lusaka, I hope to introduce the world to four strong African girls who save the day in their own fun and crazy way,” she said. “Most importantly, I want to illustrate that anyone from anywhere can be a superhero.”
Mama K’s Team 4 is produced by the award-winning South African award-winning Triggerfish Animation Studios and UK-based kids’ and family entertainment production company CAKE.
Melissa Cobb, vice president of original animation at Netflix, said in a statement: “Mama K’s Team 4 has the potential to give a whole new generation of African children the opportunity to see themselves on screen in the powerful, aspirational characters they look up to.”
A release date has yet to be announced.