The Queen stole our hearts when it hit our television screens and we've been addicted to the drama on our screens and the drama surrounding the show since.
The Queen is a South African drama that premiered on Mzansi Magic, available on DSTV, and premiered the first episode four years ago, on August 1, 2016.
Produced by Botswana's very own moguls, the Ferguson family, and owned by acting veterans Connie Ferguson and her husband Shona Ferguson, the two also star as the main roles in the series.
Plot
At its inception, the plot of the series initially revolved around the Khoza family, drug lords who hide their dealings behind their logistics company, and their conflicts with their competitors and the local police service in Tembisa.
Connie Ferguson plays the role of Harriet Khoza, the widow of a drug lord who then takes the reigns of the company, while Shona Ferguson plays the police officer Jerry Maake, who is determined to take down the family at any cost.
Fast forward to the most recent episodes and of course, Shona's character, Detective Jerry Maake is still on a mission to take down the Khozas, but there is a new family that has come into the picture known as the Therons, and they cause havoc in the Khoza household by stealing their merchandise from the Colombians- which means war between the families is on the horizon.
Cast
From the start of the series, Connie Ferguson, Shona Ferguson, Themba Ndaba, Sello Maake ka-Ncube, Mara Louw, Zandile Msutwana, Dineo Moeketsi, Loyiso MacDonald, Sthembiso Khoza and Natasha Thahane received star billing and were credited as the main cast. However, over the years the cast has changed around a lot - but not without its own set of drama.
There has been a cloud of controversy when it comes to the actor roster on the set of The Queen and not just that set, but also on other Ferguson Film production sets.
To date, seven actors have come and gone from the set of The Queen. Most of which were major characters or fan favorites of the television drama.
Most recently, actress Rami Chuene who was otherwise known as Gracious 'T-Gom' Mabuza, took the latest firing bullet from the Fergusons.
She played a fiery, religious and gun-toting woman who would do anything to save her family and friends.
Chuene would often trend on social media as viewers discussed her portrayal of the character which was passionate and inspired by a personal challenge to take on a unique character, different from previous roles.
Controversy
During a debacle in October 2019 which involved veteran actress Vatiswa Ndara who exposed the founders of Ferguson Films, Connie and Shona Ferguson, for allegedly paying low salaries in their productions, Chuene sided with Ndara and this is said to be the reason why she was fired from the show. But nothing was officially confirmed as the dismissal is still being investigated.
Before Rami's unexpected exit, Setumo Motsoaledi’s character, Mmabatho Khoza centred around SK Khoza and Gracious' was also set to make her exit. Reports have revealed that she too is set to depart together with Chuene. It is not yet clear how Motsoaledi will leave. She is yet to comment and Ferguson Films have declined to comment on her departure.
In September 2019, head of PR and Publicity at Mzansi Magic, Philly Kubheka released a statement on SK Khoza (aka Shaka Khoza)’s exit, saying it was because of his character, Shaka was no longer necessary to the show’s plot.
“With the storyline having evolved, the character Shaka does not form a part of it currently. SK Khoza is a very talented and passionate actor who remains an integral part of Mzansi Magic’s authentic storytelling,” she said.
With Shaka's departure, fans have tried to bring Khoza’s character back by starting an online petition, but it appears that hasn’t swayed the Fergusons who opted to bring in new actors instead.
Khayakhazi Kula's character Martha, played a pivotal role as a supporting actress — often having dynamic dialogues and emotionally dense scenes with Zenande Mfenyane and Rami Chuene who play Goodness and Gracious Mabuza. She surprisingly left the drama in June 2019 after her contract was not renewed.
As Prince, Moshe Ndiki's was a flamboyant assistant to the main character, Harriet Khoza. Moshe Ndiki brought an entertaining twist to the show. From love triangles to getting shot by the partner of his lover, his character brought a quirky essence to the series.
Despite this, he left the drama under dubious circumstances at the end of 2019 with rumours that his contract was not renewed and he was effectively fired as several of his fellow castmates were.
Khanya Mkangisa's role as Akhona on the show didn’t last long as she was axed for an embarrassing drunk-driving incident in May 2019 which saw a video of her intoxicated and getting arrested going viral on social media. While Mkangisa apologised for the faux pas, it wasn’t enough to save her from being cut from the show.
This was all in a space of a year, but actors such as Sello Maake Ka-Ncube who played Harriet's (Connie) brother alongside Mara Louw who played Jerry Maake's (Shona) sister were also chopped.
Another fan-favorite within the series, actor Themba Ndaba, who portrays the character of Brutus on the show, had joined the cast of another Mzansi Magic telenovela, which is set to hit our television screens soon.
This got the rumour mill churning that Brutus was next to get axed from The Queen.
But the fans are still a little shakey from last year's drama surrounding the comings and goings of the cast.
The Fergusons
The Fergusons are a creative and business-minded power couple, who create, produce and direct some of the country's most loved soapies and dramas. The Queen is only one of the many productions under the Ferguson Films resume.
The Throne, The Queen, Kings of Jo'burg, Rockville, & The River are all a part of the Ferguson Films umbrella and there will most definitely be more to follow in the future.
Fan Fatigue
In recent times, viewers of the show have become increasingly bored with its dull storyline. Some even took to Twitter to express their displeasure with the show and went as far as to ask for a break on production if no changes are made.
Here are some of the reactions from Twitter users:
