Good news about Netflix show made in South Africa – MyBroadband

Breaking: One piece Live-Action Renewed for Season 3 Ahead of season 2 Debut

Netflix has greenlit a third season of its live-action One Piece series just weeks before the premiere of Season 2, slated for March 10, 2026. The renewal signals the streamerS continued faith in Eiichiro Oda’s international hit as production expands across Africa and beyond.

Launched as one of Netflix’s most-watched series in 2023, One Piece quickly established itself as a global phenomenon. The show leveraged Cape Town’s specialist facilities and a local crew to bring the beloved manga to life, earning praise for its ambitious scale and narrative sensitivity.

Season 2 wrapped filming on December 15 of the previous year, with production completing on February 4.Principal photography for Season 3 started on November 24, 2025, signaling a continued production cadence for the adaptation.

In its initial Week, the first season amassed more than 280 million hours streamed from 37.8 million viewers, underscoring the series’ strong appeal across diverse audiences. The project is rooted in Japan’s long-running manga, which has sold over 500 million copies since 1997, and the original anime has chronicled 1,152 episodes across 20 seasons since 1999.

Critics have noted that live-action adaptations frequently enough stumble, but One Piece has defied that trend. Rotten Tomatoes recorded an 86% approval from critics (based on 63 reviews) and a 95% audience score from more than 10,000 ratings, reflecting broad fan and critic enthusiasm.

Netflix has highlighted the production’s regional impact, describing One Piece as the largest-ever African production for the platform. The company reported spending over $48.7 million (R897 million) with local suppliers during Season 1’s shoot, according to a socio-economic impact report covering South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. The project engaged 625 local suppliers, primarily SMEs, and it generated approximately 1,000 full-time equivalent jobs in South Africa, with women constituting 27% of those roles.

South African Talent Onboarded

A thorough look at the series credits reveals a robust South african involvement, with numerous actors, stunt performers, and post-production services contributing to the first season. Recurring cast members included Aidan Scott, Langley Kirkwood, Kathleen Stephens, Armand Aucamp, Ntlanhla Morgan Kutu, Laudo Liebenberg, Celeste Loots, and Alexander Maniatis. Additional recurring performers included Bianca Oosthuizen,Albert Pretorius,Jandre le Roux,Brett Williams,Steven John Ward,Len-Barry Simons,Chioma Antoinette Umeala,Kylie Ashfield,Grant Ross,and Rory Acton Burnell. Alex Reed roles featured Ben Kgosimore, Nicole Fortuin, Chanté Grainger, Nathan Castle, Milton Schorr, Litha bam, and Genna Galloway.

Season 2: Expanding the Cast

Season 2 introduces dozens more actors, including at least seven South Africans and one Zimbabwean, with 23 new cast members announced by Netflix on November 25. The South African actors named were Yonda Thomas, Mark Penwill, Anton David Jeftha, Jazzara Jaslyn, Werner Coester, Brendan Murray, and Ty Keough, while Zimbabwean talent Daniel Lasker joined the roster. Among the international additions, Joe Manganiello joined the ensemble as the menacing mr. 0.

Behind The Scenes And Creative Approach

Eiichiro Oda played a hands-on role in shaping the live-action adaptation,a collaboration that Netflix described as a true cross‑border endeavor. The arrangement balanced the Japanese team’s fidelity to character arcs with a U.S. team’s emphasis on storytelling. Oda reportedly influenced the decision to present the series in English,marking a pivotal pivot in how the IP is brought to a global audience.

Looking ahead, Netflix has announced Xolo Maridueña-known for Blue Beetle and the Karate Kid series-will portray Portgas D. Ace in Season 3, signaling a bold expansion of the cast as the story deepens.

Season 3: What To Expect

The renewal confirms an ongoing commitment to a multi-season arc, with Season 3 beginning production amid a broader strategy to fund and source talent locally. This approach underscores Netflix’s emphasis on regional production ecosystems, audience localization, and IP longevity.

Key Facts At A Glance

Fact	Detail
Renewal	Season 3 confirmed ahead of Season 2 premiere (March 10, 2026)
Season 2 Filming	Wrapped December 15; production completed February 4
Season 3 Filming Start	Begins November 24, 2025
Season 1 Viewership	Over 280 million hours watched by 37.8 million viewers in two weeks
UK/US Involvement	Global collaboration with US and japan teams; English language production
African Production Impact	Over $48.7 million spent on local suppliers; 625 local suppliers; ~1,000 FTE jobs; 27% women
Season 3 Casting	xolo Maridueña as Portgas D. Ace; Joe Manganiello as Mr. 0; 23 new cast members; 7 South Africans; 1 Zimbabwean

Why This Matters For Fans And The Industry

The One Piece live-action project has become a benchmark for how to adapt beloved source material responsibly while cultivating a broad, cross-cultural audience. By integrating a diverse, local talent pool and aligning international production forces, the series demonstrates a scalable model for future high-profile IP adaptations.

Engagement And what Comes Next

What are your thoughts on Season 3 expanding the cast with new faces, including Ace’s introduction? Do you believe Netflix’s cross-continental collaboration sets a new standard for global IP adaptations?

share your reactions in the comments, and tell us which Season 3 moment you’re most looking forward to. do you expect the live-action version to surpass the original in impact?

Netflix’s Latest South African Success Story – MyBroadband Coverage

What MyBroadband Highlighted

• MyBroadband confirmed that Netflix has officially renewed “Blood & Water” for a fifth season, marking the longest‑running South African original series on the platform.
• The proclamation was accompanied by a 45 % increase in South african‑originated content on Netflix’s catalog, now exceeding 30 titles.
• Netflix announced a R150 million production fund dedicated to upcoming South African projects, the largest single‑year commitment since the 2022 partnership with the Department of arts and Culture.

Production Highlights & Technical Innovations

Aspect	Details
Location scouting	filmed across Cape Town, Durban, and the Vaal Triangle, showcasing diverse South African landscapes.
Cinematography	First South African Netflix series shot entirely in 4K HDR, utilizing locally‑sourced RED‑Komodo cameras.
Post‑production	Editing and VFX performed at Cape Town’s golden Reel Studios, leveraging a 10‑Gbit fiber link for real‑time collaboration with Netflix’s Los Gatos hub.
Sound design	Mixed in Dolby Atmos at Murray Hill studios, making it the first Netflix South African title with immersive audio.
Local crew	Over 250 South African crew members hired, including 30 women in senior technical roles, aligning with Netflix’s gender‑balance goals.

Economic Impact: Job Creation & Investment

1. Direct employment – The production generated ~350 full‑time jobs and ~800 short‑term contracts across cinematography, set design, costume, and logistics.
2. Skills progress – 12 % of crew participants completed netflix‑certified training modules in VFX, color grading, and streaming workflow.
3. Ancillary spending – Local vendors reported a combined R85 million in spend on catering, transport, and accommodation.
4. Tax incentives – the project made full use of South Africa’s Film and Television Production Incentive (FTPI), qualifying for a 35 % rebate on qualified expenditures.

Audience Reception & Viewership Data in South Africa

• Streaming metrics – MyBroadband cited Netflix’s internal analytics: 2.8 million South African households tuned in to the new season within the first week, a 22 % uplift from season 4.
• Social buzz – Hashtag #BloodAndWaterSA trended for 48 hours on twitter South Africa, generating ≈1.3 million impressions.
• Subscriber growth – Netflix added ≈300 000 new south african subscribers during the launch window, according to MyBroadband’s subscriber‑trend report.

Benefits for Local Creators & Future Projects

• Creative autonomy – Netflix’s “creator‑first” model grants South African showrunners full editorial control, encouraging authentic storytelling.
• International exposure – All South African titles are now promoted across Netflix’s global UI, boosting potential for overseas licensing and festival runs.
• funding pipeline – The announced R150 million fund will be allocated through a transparent bid process, prioritising projects with clear local talent pipelines.

Practical Tips for Aspiring South African Filmmakers

1. Leverage the FTPI – Register early with the Department of Trade and Industry to maximize rebate eligibility.
2. Build a robust demo reel – Highlight any experience with 4K HDR or Dolby Atmos to meet Netflix’s technical standards.
3. Network through local festivals – Events such as capetown Film Festival and Durban International Film Festival are scouting grounds for Netflix acquisition teams.
4. Partner with established houses – Collaboration with companies like Quizzical Pictures or Rogue Star Studios can provide credibility and access to existing Netflix pipelines.
5. Focus on diverse narratives – Stories that reflect south Africa’s multicultural reality are currently a priority for Netflix’s African content strategy.

Case Study: “The Woman Who Loved the moon” – A Prototype for Future Success

• Concept – A sci‑fi dramedy set in a post‑apartheid Johannesburg, co‑produced by MyBroadband studios and Netflix Africa.
• Outcome – Pilot screened to a test audience of 10 000 viewers, yielding a 93 % positive rating and securing a two‑season order.
• Impact – Created 120 new jobs, and the production team reported a 30 % increase in technical skill proficiency after completing Netflix’s online masterclass series.

Key Takeaways for Industry Stakeholders

• Netflix’s continued investment signals a lasting growth trajectory for south African streaming content.
• The synergy between MyBroadband’s reporting and Netflix’s data transparency enhances market confidence for local investors.
• Adoption of high‑end production standards positions South African series competitively on the global stage, attracting both talent and ancillary business opportunities.