Subterranea (TV series)

Last updated

Subterranea
Subterranea S01 2024 KV Branded 01.jpg
GenreSci-Fi Psychological Drama
Created by Brian Munene
Written by Brian Munene, Likarion Wainaina, Martin Kigondu and Arnold Mwanjila
Directed by Likarion Wainaina
Starring
Country of origin Kenya
Original languagesEnglish
Swahili
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Producer Brian Munene
Running time40-60 minutes
Production company Kibanda Pictures
Original release
Network Showmax
Release26 September (2024-09-26) –
14 November 2024 (2024-11-14)

Subterranea (stylized in all-caps) is a 2024 Kenyan sci-fi psychological drama series created by Brian Munene [1] and co-produced and director by the award-winning filmmaker Likarion Wainaina [2] under Kibanda Pictures. The show premiered on Showmax on September 26, 2024 and features an ensemble cast including Foi Wambui, Nice Githinji, Peter Kawa and more. [3]

Contents

Plot

Subterranea follows eight participants of a psychological experiment who are placed in an underground bunker to test the effects of close-quarter secluded relationships on humans. In a twist of irony, the world ends and the eight are now trapped in the bunker with nowhere to go. [4]

Cast

Episode

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
1 8September 26, 2024 (2024-09-26)November 14, 2024 (2024-11-14)

Season 1 (2024)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Rapture"Likarion WainainaVarious26 September 2024 (2024-09-26)
The bunker team loses power, panics, and breaks protocol to restore it. Sick guards arrive via elevator, triggering an AI purge sequence. Trapped, they learn via radio that World War Three has started. They are Trapped.
2"Genesis"Likarion WainainaVarious3 October 2024 (2024-10-03)
The team struggles to understand their situation, with Black determined to escape. The AI system reboots but doesn’t recognize them, requiring verbal reentry of their data, revealing hidden secrets.
3"Pestilence"Likarion WainainaVarious10 October 2024 (2024-10-10)
Disease starts spreading, the bunker members start weighing their options of what to do Orange is hell bent on killing the infected so as not to infect the rest but black is reluctant One by one each member of the bunker gets sick with the exception of one.
4"Famine"Likarion WainainaVarious17 October 2024 (2024-10-17)
A fire breaks out in the bunker's food store, diminishing their supplies. Amidst chaos, someone steals the remaining food, causing tensions to rise until Pink makes a surprising discovery, potentially resolving the situation.
5"Pale Horse"Likarion WainainaVarious24 October 2024 (2024-10-24)
The power and life support systems to Subterranea mysteriously shut down. The bunker members try to restart systems at the bunker but nothing works. They slowly lose themselves to hallucinations caused by oxygen deprivation. Bunker members are haunted by their past. Unfortunately, one member dies before the team can restore basic bunker functions.
6"Toharani"Likarion WainainaVarious31 October 2024 (2024-10-31)
The bunker members mourn the loss of one of their own and hold a ceremony to honour the departed. As they go through the motions, they discover an unauthorized device in the bunker that seems to be connected to the outside world.
7"Revelations"Likarion WainainaVarious7 November 2024 (2024-11-07)
Chaos descends in the bunker, signs of a mole who has been communicating with the outside world surface and an all-out hunt erupts. Ass seems to be going south when the bunker member makes an unexplainable discovery.
8"Memento Mori"Likarion WainainaVarious14 November 2024 (2024-11-14)
A purge sequence is initiated in the bunker. The bunker members, with the help of an unlikely source, fight tooth and nail to stop it, but they are cornered and under-equipped to combat the sequence. Four members die in the process.

Production

Development

Series creator Brian Munene described that the concept of Subterranea "started as a space odyssey", inspired by Star Wars and Star Trek ." [5]

In an interview with OkayAfrica, show co-producer and director Likarion Wainaina added: “Sci-fi, at its core, is about how imagined and real science affects human behavior. It doesn’t have to be futuristic. We wanted to show that there’s more to sci-fi than the usual tropes.” [6]

Casting

The cast was revealed in an announcement in early September 2024 which highlighted the ensemble cast. [7]

Release

The first episode of the show debuted on Showmax on 26 September 2024.[ citation needed ]

Reception

Critical and audience response

The show received positive feedback. In his review, Business Daily Africa 's Stanlaus Manthi described the show as an 'ambitious yet contained concept that is a step forward in Kenya's TV landscape.' [8] Kelvin Kariuki from Sinema Focus added: "Rough Around the Edges, Kenya’s First Sci-Fi Series Breaks New Ground." [9]

Awards and nominations

AwardYearCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards 2025Best Indigenous M-Net OriginalSubterraneaNominated [10]
Zanzibar International Film Festival 2025Best TV Drama Series in East Africa Likarion Wainaina and Brian MuneneWon [11]

References

  1. ↑ Milimo, Dennis (10 October 2024). "Brian Munene narrates how idea for sci-fi series 'Subterranea' was born". Mpasho. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  2. ↑ Opondo, Agnes (2 October 2024). "Likarion Wainaina: Breaking New Ground with Kenya's First Sci-Fi Series, "Subterranea"". Kenyan Vibe. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  3. ↑ "DIRECTOR: Likarion Wainaina, Kenya". Variety. 2 September 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  4. ↑ Ramachandran, Naman (2 September 2024). "Kenyan Sci-Fi Series 'Subterranea' Set at Showmax, Trailer Unveiled (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  5. ↑ Milimo, Dennis (30 October 2024). "Brian Munene narrates how idea for sci-fi series 'Subterranea' was born". Mpasho. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  6. ↑ Adhis, Paula (26 September 2024). "For Likarion Wainaina, Creating Kenya's First Sci-Fi Series is About Pushing Boundaries in African Filmmaking". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  7. ↑ Ngigi, Elizabeth (2 September 2024). "Foi Wamboi, Melvin Alusa star in Kenyan sci-fi series 'Subterranea'". NairobiNews. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  8. ↑ Manthi, Stanlaus (30 September 2024). "Subterranea Season 1: Ambitious sci-fi drama features Kenyan talent". Business Daily Africa. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  9. ↑ Kariuki, Kelvin (9 September 2024). "'Subterranea' Review: Rough Around the Edges, Kenya's First Sci-Fi Series Breaks New Ground". Sinema Focus. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  10. ↑ Ukoh, Jennifer (24 March 2025). "Showmax Originals secure nominations at 11th AMVCAs". Showmax Stories. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  11. ↑ "Showmax Originals Shines At 2025 Zanzibar International Film Festival With Multiple Wins". Broadcast Media Africa. 2 July 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
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