From Script to Screen: Behind Mzansi Magic’s New Drama Strings Attached
Seven questions for founder and Executive Producer Thabile Ngwato, offering more insight into the inspiration behind Strings Attached, the new drama series featuring Rosemary Zimu-Mnguni and Melusi Mbhele (Xolani).
Strings Attached airs every Monday at 8pm on Mzansi Magic (Channel 161) and tells the story of a young woman who drops out of school to support her family. Her life takes a drastic turn when she captures the attention of a wealthy and powerful man.
What prompted or attracted Ray Content Hub to producing Strings Attached, and what made this story stand out from a production perspective?
The concept for Strings Attached was developed over a couple of years and has evolved since. We felt it was important to zoom in on a story that blended intimate human drama within a culturally specific context. It was a layered and compelling piece of storytelling that seemed both creatively and commercially viable from a production standpoint.
The series tackles emotional and psychological manipulation or abuse — how did you approach producing such a sensitive and complex subject matter also seeing that it’s one of the most contentious issues in Mzansi presently?
It was very important that we approach this topic with the gravity that it deserves. Which is why our writing team worked closely with an expert to ensure we navigated this nuanced subject matter with the respect and depth it holds in our country’s context.
What would you say were some of the main production challenges in delivering a psychological thriller that relies on bringing the tension that audiences can feel and identify with?
From the perspective of an Executive Producer, my main focus was balancing both the budget needs and timelines to ensure the team could deliver the desired product in a considered and credible manner.
How did you work with the director and creative team to ensure a consistent tone and vision throughout the series?
We worked with great agility. One of the traits we always pride ourselves on as a team is the ability to pivot and re-strategise whenever needed. No bottlenecks or red-tape, just open collaborative efforts that bring anything we work on to life.
What role did casting play in achieving the emotional depth and realism needed for this story?
Securing the right faces and voices is always critical for a project like this to succeed. All the effort taken to assemble some of South Africa’s best talent was well worth it. They excelled in delivering what each of their roles required.
What can people expect from watching this story and being part of the characters’ journey?
Viewers can expect to experience a range of emotions, sometimes sitting on the edge of their seat in curiosity or quietly chuckling at a funny moment. The entire season will be a rollercoaster, and we hope they don’t get off.
Your first show was The Real City Makoti which was a reality – and now a scripted show Strings Attached why did you pitch this series?
Ray is a dynamic content hub that produces content across genres, formats and platforms. A scripted show is a natural progression, and this psychological thriller was necessary.
Ray Content Hub is the production company behind the reality series The Real City Makoti, which aired on Mzansi Wethu, and now brings this powerful and gripping Mzansi story.
Strings Attached airs every Monday at 8pm on Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161) or watch it on Catch Up.
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