The Queen was a South African telenovela that premiered on Mzansi Magic on 1 August 2016 and on Canal Plus in April 2020. It is produced by Ferguson Films, owned by acting veterans Connie Ferguson and her late husband Shona Ferguson. The Queen ran for 260 episodes per season and aired every Monday to Friday at 21h00 on Mzansi Magic.
The Queen concluded season 4 with a one-hour finale on Friday 24 July 2020, season 5 premiered on Monday 27 July 2020. The Queen had a crossover episode with The River, featuring Sindi Dlathu as Lindiwe Dlamini -Dikana who is Harriet's friend.
Longtime series star Loyiso Macdonald (who had been part of the cast since the show's inception) exited the show in June 2021. Zandile Msutwana suffered an injury on set and she was temporarily replaced by Thembisa Mdoda-Nxumalo while she recovered at home.
The channel cancelled the show in March 2022 when The Queen was renewed for a shortened seventh and final season, with only 125 episodes instead of the usual 260-episode season order. Season 7 premiered in July 2022 and ran until a series finale on 13 January 2023 following seven successful seasons. The telenovela was replaced by a Xhosa's first and exclusive telenovela titled Gqeberha: The Empire which was produced by Tshedza Pictures.
Episodes
Plot The show revolves around the Khoza family, drug lords who hide their dealings behind their logistics company, and their conflicts with their competitors and the Tembisa Police Service. Harriet Khoza known as "The Queen" takes over the reins of the Khoza dynasty after her husband passes and does everything to protect herself as well as her family from Jerry Maake a police captain who believes Harriet killed his son and is determined to bring her and her criminal organisation down. As the series progresses Harriet Khoza then takes on Gracious Mabuza and her daughter Goodness Mabuza in their war against each other. The Khoza's world is turned upside down by the arrival of a new lethal and ambitious enemy Thando Sebata (Jessica Nkosi) a powerful drug lord heiress, trained assassin and sniper who runs her families drug empire with an iron fist and takes the throne right from under Harriet and becomes the new drug queen-pin of Midrand (Connie Ferguson) and (Themba Ndaba) are the only actors who appeared in the premiere and are scheduled to appear in the series finale.
Main characters Harriet Khoza (Played by Connie Ferguson)
Harriet Khoza is the female protagonist and matriarch of the criminal Khoza family. As a drug queenpin, she takes over the business after her husband's death and works with her brother-in-law, Brutus. She is fiercely protective of her children, Kea and Kagiso, and hires a hitman to kill her husband. In a long-running plotline, she is haunted by her traumatic past when she is forced to confront her abusive father, Tiro, who is later disowned by the family and commits suicide. Harriet eventually partners with Hector Sebata and later marries him, but has him killed after discovering his affair with Vuyiswa.
Captain Jeremiah "Jerry" Maake (Played by Shona Ferguson)
Captain Jerry Maake is a tough police officer determined to bring down the Khoza family's drug operation. His mission is intensely personal, as he believes Harriet was responsible for his son's death. He is married to Vuyiswa and is the father of Amo, Mogapi, and Bakang. Jerry is killed after jumping in front of a helicopter shooter's bullets to save Harriet's life.
Keabetswe "Kea" Esmarelda Khoza (Played by Dineo Langa)
The daughter of Harriet and Mzi, Kea has a series of tragic romantic relationships, including one with an abusive man who is eventually killed by her family. She later elopes with a new boyfriend, Eric, but is tragically killed in an explosion on her way to Jerry Maake's funeral.
Uncle Brutus Mfanafuthi Khoza (Played by Themba Ndaba)
Brutus is the male protagonist of the series and the Khoza family patriarch, alongside his sister-in-law, Harriet. He is the brother of Mzi and has many children. He and Harriet lead the drug syndicate and survive various attacks. He and Harriet eventually leave the drug business.
Kagiso "Muscle Man" Melusi Khoza (Played by Loyiso MacDonald)
The youngest son of Harriet, Kagiso is a former army pilot who has complex romantic relationships, notably with Goodness Mabuza. He initially holds his mother responsible for Kea's death. He and Goodness later move away to start a new life but return to honor Kea's memory. He later seeks vengeance in season 7.
Shaka Khoza (Played by Sthembiso Khoza)
Shaka is the oldest son of Mzi and a close associate of his uncle, Brutus. He was killed by his brother, Kagiso, but later returned from the dead, inciting a revenge plot. He had multiple failed relationships, including with Mmabatho and Goodness. He later leaves to avoid the police but returns to take over his father's business in season 7.
Lieutenant Vuyiswa "Sis Vee" Maake-Sebata (Played by Zandile Msutwana)
A dedicated detective, Vuyiswa is initially Jerry's partner and later his wife. After Jerry is killed, Vuyiswa seeks justice and uncovers Hector Sebata's involvement in his murder. She later marries Hector, but they divorce, and she leaves town with their son after being threatened by Harriet.
Cast members Connie Ferguson as Harriet Khoza Shona Ferguson as Jerry Maake Themba Ndaba as Brutus Khoza Loyiso MacDonald as Kagiso Khoza Sthembiso Khoza as Shaka Khoza Dineo Moeketsi as Kea Khoza Sello Maake Ka-Ncube as Kgosi Mathapelo Zandile Msutwana as Vuyiswa Jola Marah Louw as Boitswarelo Maake Zenzo Ngqobe as Mogapi Maake Natasha Thahane as Amo Maake Kabelo Moalusi as Roy Maake
Season 2 Connie Ferguson as Harriet Khoza Shona Ferguson as Jerry Maake Rami Chuene as Gracious Mabuza Themba Ndaba as Brutus Khoza Loyiso Macdonald as Kagiso Khoza Sthembiso Khoza as Shaka Khoza Dineo Moeketsi as Kea Khoza Zandile Msutwana as Vuyiswa Jola Zenande Mfenyana as Goodness Mabuza Marah Louw as Boitswarelo Maake Motsoaledi Setumo as Dr. Mabatho Mabuza Natasha Thahane as Amo Maake Khayakazi Kula as Martha Ndlovu Mlamli Mangcala as Sthembiso Radebe Thabang Molaba as Gift Mabuza Kabelo Moalusi as Roy Maake Thato Molamo as Bakang Maake Thandy Matlaila as Cleo
Season 3 Connie Ferguson as Harriet Khoza Shona Ferguson as Jerry Maake Rami Chuene as Gracious Mabuza Themba Ndaba as Brutus Khoza Loyiso Macdonald as Kagiso Khoza Sthembiso Khoza as Shaka Khoza Dineo Moeketsi as Kea Khoza Zandile Msutwana as Vuyiswa Jola - Maake Zenande Mfenyana as Goodness Mabuza Zolisa Xaluva as Diamond Mabuza Motsoaledi Setumo as Mmabatho Khoza Vuyo Ngcukana as Lumko Shumacher Toto Sipho Manzini as Jabulani "Mjekejeke" Zulu Thembsie Matu as Petronella Zulu Xolani Mayekiso as Thato Maake Nay Maps as Dingane Khoza Mlamli Mangcala as Sthembiso Radebe Moshe Ndiki as Prince Kayakazi Kula as Martha Ndlovu Sindi Dlathu as Lindiwe Dikana (Special Guest Crossover)
Season 4 Connie Ferguson as Harriet Khoza Shona Ferguson as Jerry Maake Rami Chuene as Gracious Mabuza Themba Ndaba as Brutus Khoza Loyiso Macdonald as Kagiso Khoza Sthembiso Khoza as Shaka Khoza Dineo Langa as Keabetswe Khoza Nay Maps Maphalala as Dingane Khoza Zandile Msutwana as Vuyiswa Jola - Maake Zenande Mfenyana as Goodness Mabuza Motsoaledi Setumo as Mmabatho Khoza Brenda Mhlongo as Ntombizodwa Khoza Vuyolwethu Ngcukana as Shumacher Toto Sipho Manzini as Jabulani "Mjekejeke" Zulu Thembsie Matu as Petronella Zulu Xolani Mayekiso as Thato Maake Mlamli Mangcala as Sthembiso Radebe Sibusisiwe Jili as Georgina Zulu Cindy Mahlangu as Siyanda Dlamini
Season 5 Connie Ferguson as Harriet Khoza Rapulana Seiphemo as Hector Sebata Themba Ndaba as Brutus Khoza Loyiso MacDonald as Kagiso Khoza Sthembiso Khoza as Shaka Khoza Rapulana Seiphemo as Hector Sebata Jessica Nkosi as Thando Sebata Zandile Msutwana as Vuyiswa Jola - Sebata Zenande Mfenyana as Goodness Mabuza - Khoza Vuyolwethu Ngcukana as Schumacher Toto Sipho Manzini as Jabulani "Mjekejeke" Zulu Thembsie Matu as Petronella Zulu Brenda Ngxoli NomaPrincess Matshikiza Ntando Duma as Mpho Sebata Kenneth Nkosi as Detective Jaros Motale Xolani Mayekiso as Thato Maake Sibusisiwe Jili as Georgina Zulu Cindy Mahlangu as Siyanda Dlamini
Season 6 Connie Ferguson as Harriet Khoza – Sebata Rapulana Seiphemo as Hector Sebata Themba Ndaba as Brutus Khoza Sthembiso Khoza as Shaka Khoza Jessica Nkosi as Thando Sebata Zandile Msutwana as Vuyiswa Maake Zenande Mfenyana as Goodness Mabuza - Khoza Vuyolwethu Ngcukana as Schumacher Toto Sipho Manzini as Jabulani "Mjekejeke" Zulu Thembsie Matu as Petronella Zulu Brenda Ngxoli as NomaPrincess Matshikiza Sibusisiwe Jili as Georgina Zulu Lorraine Moropa as Olerato Mathapelo Cindy Mahlangu as Siyanda Dlamini Khumbuza Meytwa as Bhambatha Khoza Siphesihle Vazi as Mlungisi Khoza Ntobeko Mathebula as Cebo'elihle Khoza Craig Nobela as Nkosiyabo Khoza Nomsa Buthelezi as Majali Khoza Sindi Dlathu as Lindiwe Dikana (Special Guest Crossover)
Season 7 Connie Ferguson as Harriet Khoza Themba Ndaba as Brutus Khoza Sithandile Nkosi as Londiwe Jama Lorraine Moropa as Olerato Mathapelo Siphesihle Vazi as Mlungisi Khoza Thembsie Matu as Petronella Zulu Kagiso Rathebe as Mncedisi Sipho Manzini as Jabulani "Mjekejeke" Zulu Vuyo Ngcukana as Shumacher Toto Mbulelo Katise as Duma Jama Khumbuza Meytwa as Bhambatha Khoza Ntobeko Mathebula as Cebo'elihle Khoza Craig Nobela as Nkosiyabo Khoza
Former cast ActorRoleSeasonsShona FergusonJerry Maake1-4Rapulana SeiphemoHector Sebata4-6Zandile MsutwanaVuyiswa Jola - Maake 1-6Jessica NkosiThando Sebata5-6Nomsa BhutheleziMaJali Khoza6Dineo LangaKea Khoza1-4Loyiso MacDonaldKagiso Khoza1-7Rami ChueneGracious Mabuza2-4Paballo KozaKhaya Khoza 1 - 6Thembisa MdodaVuyiswa Jola - Maake5Zenande MfenyaneGoodness Mabuza1-7Sthembiso KhozaShaka Khoza1-7Sibusisiwe JiliDetective Georgina Zulu4-6Nay MapsDingane Khoza4Motsoaledi SetumoMmabatho Khoza2-4Zolisa XaluvaDiamond Mabuza2-3Mlamli MangcalaSthembiso Radebe1-4Sello MaakeKgosi Mathapelo 1; 5Marah LouwBoi Maake1-2Natasha ThahaneAmo Maake1-4Thato MolamoBaking Nkwe2Xolani MayekisoThato Maake2-5Ntando DumaMpho Sebata5Brenda NgxoliNomaPrincess Matshikiza5-6Kabelo MoalusiRoy Maake1-2Thabang MolabaGift Mabuza2Thandy MatlailaCleo1-3Zenzo NgcobeMohapi Maake1Joe KazadiThabiso Ngcobo3Cindy MahlanguSiyanda Dlamini3-6Khanya MkangisaAkhona Jola3-6Lunathi MampofuBenni3Khayakazi KulaMartha Ndlovu1-3Unathi MatuSipho5Pabee MoganediMamiki2Jesse SunteleOfficer Bar1Kay SibiyaKwanele2Magic HlatshwayoAlfios2Moshe NdikiPrince2-4Angela SitholeOnica1-4Robert MpisiBhekumuzi Khoza2-3Unathi GumaBabalwa2Thalitha NdimaPrudence3Sana MchunuTryphina4Tisetso ThokaAyihlome7Vusi ThandaMziwoxolo Mabuza1-5
Awards and nominations
| 2017 | "Sello Maake Ka-Ncube" | Favourite Actor
|2017 |"Themba Ndaba" |Favourite Actor
| 2018 | "Thembsie Matu" | rowspan="2"|Favourite Actress
| 2018 | "Rami Chuene"
| 2018 | Joe Assaizky | Best Achievement In Original Music/Score-TV Soap/Telenovela
|2018 | "Leon kriel" | Best Achievement in Cinematography-TV Soap/Telenovel
|2018 | "Odette Earle" | Best Achievement in Art/ Production Design - TV Soap/Telenovela
| 2018 | "Ferguson Films" | Most Popular TV Soap/Telenovela
| 2020 |"Loyiso MacDonald" | Best Supporting Actor - Telenovela
| 2020 | The Queen | Outstanding Lighting
| 2020 | The Queen | Outstanding Wardrobe
| 2020 | Sthembiso "Sk" Khoza | Outstanding Supporting Actor
| 2021 | The Queen | Outstanding Daily TV Drama
| 2021 | Themba Ndaba | Outstanding Lead Actor
| 2021 | Jessica Nkosi | Outstanding Female Villain
| 2021 | The Directing Team | Outstanding Direction Team
| 2021 | The Queen | Outstanding Cinematography
| 2021 | The Queen | Outstanding Editing Team
| 2021 | The Queen | Outstanding Wardrobe
References