Record Run on the Charts
The Polygamist launched on Netflix on 12 June and quickly became one of the platform’s biggest African successes. The series reached number one in 21 countries and entered the top 10 in 62 more, gathering 27.6 million views so far. It has now spent seven consecutive weeks on the Global Top 10 Non-English Shows list, the longest stay for any title from South Africa.
Author Sees Career Boost
Zimbabwean writer Sue Nyathi watched her 2012 novel triple in sales after the adaptation aired. “It feels great and it is an affirmation of my work,” Nyathi said. “Of all my books, The Polygamist was dismissed as fluff. … To hear people call it a masterpiece and being able to draw so many life lessons from it is incredible.” Her 2020 novel A Family Affair also climbed the South African bestseller list, while her 2024 title sold out its first print run.
Made in South Africa, Watched Worldwide
Filmed over nearly 100 days with roughly 150 cast and crew and more than 70 extras, the production supported over 45 local vendors. Executive producer Gugu Zuma-Ncube at Stained Glass Productions said the team stayed true to the story’s polygamy setting. “Polygamy may not be the most common framework for a global audience, but the themes that the show covers - love, adultery, betrayal, struggling with feelings of self-worth, kids feeling they aren’t being met emotionally by their parents, coming‑of‑age - they definitely have universal appeal.”
Stream It Now
The Polygamist is available to watch on Netflix. For the latest on new and returning shows, see our TV hub.
