Country Queen, the first-ever Kenyan series on Netflix, has premiered. Set in contemporary Kenya, Country Queen is a family drama series that follows a Nairobi event planner who returns to her village after 10 years, where she confronts her past, and a mining company that threatens to destroy her home.
What follows is a series of events marked by love, betrayal and the ever-present battle between tradition, capitalism and modern society.
Featuring a language mix of English, Swahili and Kamba, Country Queen also explores themes like rural-urban conflict, land grabbing and exploitation, child labour, inter-family relationships, betrayal, love and commitment, as well as the intersection of tradition, leadership, culture and capitalism. A prevailing theme of the show is also the pursuit of ambition in the face of loyalty to tradition and cultural history.
Filmed in Nairobi, Machakos and Murang’a, Country Queen stars Melissa Kiplagat as Akisa, a woman from a sleepy village who now leads a comfortable but complicated life in the city. Her dark past and complex relationship with the powerful and ruthless Sibala family sets in motion a string of events with rippling consequences.
The series also stars Nini Wacera (Rafiki, Desperate Housewives Africa), Melvin Alusa (Salem, Mission to Rescue), Blessing Lung’aho (Igiza, Zora), Maina Olwenya (Nairobi Half Life, Poacher) Sheila Munyiva (Rafiki), Robert Agengo (Zora), Nice Githinji (Makutano Junction), Kael Njihia (Salem) among others.
Country Queen is directed by Vincent Mbaya (Chaguo), Tosh Gitonga (Nairobi Half Life, Disconnect) and Brian Munene (Morning After) and produced by Good Karma Fiction.
Speaking on the release of Country Queen, the producers said, “Country Queen is a unique drama series that straddles the rural and urban worlds, and the inevitable clash of modernity and tradition that follows. The series also gives a unique and dynamic perspective to Kenya and East Africa, showcasing a very unique combination of characters, cultures and perspectives from the region. Producing Country Queen was also a particularly thrilling experience, seeing as it is Netflix’s first Kenyan co-production. The show is authentically African and produced to the highest of standards. We are indeed excited for Country Queen and what it means for the future of the Kenyan film and television industry.”
Nkateko Mabaso, Netflix’s Director of Licensing in Africa said, “We’re excited to bring this authentic Kenyan story to our viewers around the world. More than 222 million entertainment fans will get the opportunity to experience Kenya’s talent and creativity with Country Queen. The MOU we signed with the Kenyan government in April signaled our intention to meaningfully contribute to Kenya’s creative community and through this title, we want to show – not just tell – how committed we are to making sure Kenyan stories find a place to shine on a global stage.”
Watch Country Queen trailer:
