White Lies (miniseries)

Last updated

White Lies
Created bySean Steinberg
Screenplay byDarrel Bristow-Bovey
Directed by
  • John Trengove
  • Thati Pele
  • Catharine Cooke
  • Christiaan Olwagen
Starring
Country of originSouth Africa
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
Producer
  • Harriet Gavshon

Nimrod Geva

Production companies

White Lies is a 2024 South African crime thriller miniseries created by Sean Steinberg and written by Darrel Bristow-Bovey. Developed by Quizzical Pictures and Fremantle for M-Net, it stars Natalie Dormer and Brendon Daniels.

Contents

Synopsis

In Bishopscourt, Cape Town, South Africa, investigative journalist Edie Hansen finds herself at loggerheads with veteran detective Forty Bell, after her estranged brother is murdered in his luxury home, with his teenage children the prime suspects for the crime. [1]

Cast

Production

In March 2023, it was announced that Brendon Daniels and Natalie Dormer would star in White Lies. [2] The series is produced by Harriet Gavshon and Nimrod Geva for Quizzical Pictures, with Natalie Dormer and Bristow-Bovey executive producers. Julie Hodge is executive producing on behalf of Fremantle, which is also distributing the series internationally. The lead director is John Trengove, alongside Thati Pele, Catharine Cooke and Christiaan Olwagen. [3] [4]

Principal photography began in South Africa on 6 March 2023. [5] Filming lasted for three months, with locations including Cape Town. [6] [7]

Genre and themes

Dormer describes it as "a wonderful, fun, whodunit" with "universal themes" such as "the identity of politics, and inequality". [8] She said “For Brits, Americans, Australians watching the show, there are huge universal themes of identity, the chasm between the haves and the have nots, and social commentary, corruption commentary,.. We know all that from our own countries, but seen through South African eyes it’s different.” [9]

Broadcast

A first trailer for the series was released in February 2024. [10]

White Lies had its world premiere in Israel, streaming on VOD from 26 February 2024. [11] It premiered in South Africa on M-Net, DStv channel 101 on 7 March 2024. [12] Episodes were aired weekly. [13]

In Australia, it was shown on the streaming service Stan in April 2024. [9]

Reception

The Sydney Morning Herald called the series a "sharp crime thriller". [9]

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References

  1. ↑ "Game Of Thrones' Star Natalie Dormer To Lead South African Thriller Series 'White Lies'". Deadline. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  2. ↑ "Brendon Daniels cast alongside British actress Natalie Dormer in upcoming crime thriller, 'White Lies'". iol.co.za. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  3. ↑ Goldberg, Matty. "Natalie Dormer to Star in Thriller Series 'White Lies'". Collider. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  4. ↑ "Natalie Dormer on White Lies and her new production company". c21media.net. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  5. ↑ "Natalie Dormer to Lead South African Crime Thriller Series 'White Lies' (Exclusive)". Hollywood Reporter. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  6. ↑ Ontong, Joe (14 March 2024). "'Curious to come to Cape Town': Natalie Dormer on role in crime series White Lies". news24.com. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  7. ↑ Lesemane, Lineo (24 March 2024). "Natalie Dormer on 'White Lies' filming experience in Cape Town: On-screen chemistry and more". Citizen.co.za. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  8. ↑ Thangevelo, Debashine (15 March 2024). "'Game of Thrones' actress Natalie Dormer sheds light on helming the local crime thriller, 'White Lies'". iol.co.za. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  9. 1 2 3 Mathieson, Craig (17 April 2024). "Natalie Dormer is a different type of warrior in this sharp crime thriller" . The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  10. ↑ Ontong, Joel (20 February 2024). "M-Net releases trailer for White Lies, starring Brendon Daniels and GOT's Natalie Dormer". News24. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  11. ↑ Izikovich, Gili (26 February 2024). "White Lies' setting saves it from cliche". Haaretz (in Hebrew).
  12. ↑ Naidoo, Alicia (6 March 2024). "'White Lies': When and where to watch new SA murder mystery series". sapeople. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  13. ↑ Hassiem, Aa-isha (11 March 2024). "M-Net's White Lies: A thrilling exploration of wealth, privilege and murder". Biz Community. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
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