Rooted in actual events, the drama tells the story of the Zulu Empire chief Shaka and his unlikely rise to power, uniting multiple tribes across vast stretches of Africa in the early 19th century to transform his power into legend, on par with history's most seminal figures. In ferocious battles that test the body and soul, in alliances that test the bonds of love and friendship, a complex sociological system plays out that renders the human cost front and center, for the victors as well as the vanquished, all in an effort to carve out a semblance of identity, fulfillment and ultimately, survival.
Olu Odebunmi and Tolu Awosika created the drama, with Fuqua directing. They will executive produce with Ben Silverman, Howard T. Owens, Gregory Lipstone, Rodney Ferrell, Spencer Medof, Scott Greenberg and Michael Callas. CBS Studios, Propagate and Fuqua Films will produce.
"Olu and Tolu have written such an exciting and emotional origin story of an African warrior hero," said Gary Levine, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks. "Antoine's passion for this project, coupled with his formidable talent, promises an epic series unlike any other on television."
"This project offers a gateway to our past that is so critical to our global history and yet so often marginalized," added Fuqua. "Through Shaka: King of the Zulu Nation, we hope to bring this saga to life, all the tears, sweat and blood, all the joy and sorrow, all the intimacy and intensity and humanity. In short, we're going to rock the world with this one."
