Showtime cancels much-anticipated new series just before filming wraps after restructuring with Paramount+
Showtime has cancelled a much-anticipated new series just 12 days before filming was set to wrap following the streamers restructuring with Paramount+.
The network has opted to no longer air the upcoming drama King Shaka, which chronicles the rise of of Zulu chief Shaka, according to Deadline.
Actor Charles Babalola, 32, was set to take on the role of the titular character but filming in the historic South African province, KwaZulu-Natal, has been shut down.
It comes after the consolidation that will see the service renamed Paramount+ with Showtime for both the television channel and the streaming service.
The restructuring with Paramount+ has also led to the cancellation of three other Showtimes series, Three Women, the vampire drama Let The Right One In and the American Gigolo reboot starring Jon Bernthal.
Bad news: Showtime has opted to no longer air the upcoming series King Shaka, which chronicles the rise of of Zulu chief Shaka (Lead actor Charles Babalola pictured)
Production for the series kicked off in September, with Charles being cast as the titular character the month before.
It was set to tell the real life story of Zulu Empire founder Shaka and the rise to power in the early 19th century.
Writer Olu Odebunmi told Deadline: 'The powerful story of King Shaka and the Zulu Nation speaks to the very heart of everything we identify with as Africans.
'It’s a blessing and honor to share the greatness of the Zulu people’s history with a full and nuanced approach that serves as a microcosm for African history across the continent.
'We couldn’t be more excited to reintroduce this narrative from the perspective of its own people and share it with the world.'
The publication also reported that over 300 locals were hired for the production which was set to debut on Showtime later this year.
It comes after Shailene Woodley and Betty Gilpin's Showtime series Three Women was also cancelled.
Despite releasing a teaser trailer for the series, Showtime has opted to drop it, leaving another entity the chance to pick it up.
Dropped: Actor Charles Babalola, 32, was set to take on the role of the titular character but filming in the historic South African province, KwaZulu-Natal, has been shut down
Canceled in advance: It comes after Shailene Woodley and Betty Gilpin's Showtime series Three Women was also cancelled; Woodley see in April 2022
It is also reportedly shopping around Let The Right One In and American Gigolo in the hopes that another network would buy the properties.
Three Women is executive produced by the author Taddeo, along with showrunner Laura Eason, Kathy Ciric and the actress Emmy Rossum, who is not part of the cast.
The first two episodes had been directed by Louise Friedberg, who is also executive producing.
Showtime seems to be following in the footsteps of Warner Bros. Discovery, which canceled a bevy of new shows to cut costs for its streaming service HBO Max, along with removing several preexisting shows and films from the streamer for tax write-offs.
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