Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, [email protected]
Zimbabwean author Sue Nyathi has opened up about the long and emotional journey behind the Netflix adaptation of her hit novel The Polygamist, a dream that took 13 years to become reality.
Now transformed into a gripping 22-episode telenovela, The Polygamist is set to shine a global spotlight on African storytelling, bringing themes of love, betrayal, ambition and survival to screens around the world.
The drama centres on four women whose lives become dangerously intertwined through wealthy and influential banker Jonasi Gomora, a man whose power stretches far beyond the boardroom. The series dives deep into the realities of polygamy, exposing the emotional turmoil, loyalty battles and hidden betrayals simmering beneath the surface.
Award-winning actor Sdumo Mtshali leads the cast as the formidable Jonasi Gomora, while Gugu Gumede stars as Joyce Gomora, a wife caught between love and heartbreak in a troubled marriage. The powerhouse cast also includes Kwanele Mthethwa, Sthandiwe Kgoroge, Kenneth Nkosi, comedian Celeste Ntuli, as well as rising stars Luyanda Zwane and Vuyo Biyela. Production is being handled by Stained Glass Productions, the creative force behind hit productions such as Uzalo, Durban Gen and The Wife.
But behind the glamour lies a story of persistence and patience. Nyathi, who hails from Bulawayo, revealed that talks of adapting The Polygamist began shortly after the novel’s release in March 2012. By 2013, there were already plans to turn the story into a film.
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub caught up with Nyathi from her base in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she reflected on the adaptation of her book into a Netflix series. Below is the interview.
Q: How did the idea of your book, The Polygamist, being adapted by Netflix come about?
A. The idea for an adaptation actually started years ago. The Polygamist came out in March 2012, and by 2013, there was already talk about turning it into a film. Nthati Moshesh and Xolile Tshabalala were among the first to show interest, and we even teamed up, pure girl power, to draft a proposal and set up a production company. We spent time pitching to people in the industry, but the funding never materialised and eventually, we let it go. Still, I believed the seed had been planted, and what’s planted will eventually bear fruit. Later, a friend I met on Twitter, Lawrence Zidyana, wrote his own screenplay, but that project didn’t move forward either. About a year later, I met Rolie Nikiwe, an accomplished film director who had read the book and loved it. He convinced me the story deserved to be adapted and encouraged me to try writing the screenplay myself. At the time, I knew nothing about screenwriting, so he bought me Final Draft and said, “I’ll teach you”. We ended up co-writing the first draft together, though in the end, we felt it still wasn’t strong enough and decided to put it aside.
In 2015, when Rolie and his wife, Khobile Ledwaba, launched Branded Souls, they revived the project. I optioned the film rights to them in 2017, and although I was no longer involved in the writing, they brought in another writer to continue developing it. That option eventually lapsed before production could begin, and I shelved the project once again. The story finally came full circle in 2022, when Stained Glass Productions approached me and we optioned the rights again. I suppose it really was all about timing. The idea was born 13 years ago, but only now, in 2026, is the series finally coming to life.
Q: How do you feel that, from a number of writers, your book was chosen for this project?
A: I feel honoured that The Polygamist was chosen for this “super novela” project. It really comes down to timing and alignment. I truly believe that God makes everything beautiful in His time. Novel adaptations aren’t new for Netflix, but what’s changing now is the space being made for African stories. For a long time, only books published in Western markets received that kind of global spotlight. Seeing more African titles being adapted now is a significant shift for the continent. It’s opening doors and showing the world that there are powerful stories coming out of Africa that deserve to be seen. For context, The Polygamist isn’t the first African book to make it to screen on Netflix, and it certainly won’t be the last. Dazzling Mirage (2014), based on Olayinka Abimbola Egbokhare’s novel and directed by Tunde Kelani, was one of the early examples. Then came The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019), adapted from the memoir by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, and directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor. More recently, we’ve seen Swallow (2021), adapted from Sefi Atta’s novel and directed by Kunle Afolayan; Love, Sex and 30 Candles (2023), adapted from Angela Makholwa’s The 30th Candle by Stephina Zwane; and Heart of a Hunter (2024), based on Deon Meyer’s work and directed by Mandla Dube. And that’s just Netflix. Other networks have also been adapting African books, so the momentum is really building. It’s an exciting time for African storytelling on screen.
Q: Were you consulted during the shooting of scenes for the series?
A: I wasn’t directly involved in the day-to-day production of the series. I do not have producer credentials yet! Netflix commissioned Stained Glass Productions, with Gugu Zuma-Ncube, Thuli Zuma and Pepsi Pokane serving as executive producers. The series was directed by Akin Omotoso, Rolie Nikiwe and Nthabi Tau. I did visit the set while they were filming, although I didn’t spend much time with the cast. Stained Glass also set up a dedicated writers’ room featuring Nontuthuzelo Magoxo, Lorato Phefo and Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, while Busisiwe Zwane served as head writer.
Q: From your perspective, did the production do justice to your book?
A: I had the chance to read the script before filming started, and I really liked it. It doesn’t follow the book word for word, but the changes made sense within the new context. One of the biggest shifts is that the story has been adapted to a South African setting, and the timeline has been moved from the early 2000s to the present day. Those adjustments were necessary to make the narrative feel relevant to modern audiences. The production quality is outstanding. At its core, the story is about money, power and sex, and the team really brought their A-game in terms of gloss and glamour. The book will always be the book, but the production has elevated the story, and I’m genuinely happy with how they’ve handled it.
Q: What does this Netflix deal mean for your future as a writer?
A: This deal has certainly shifted everything for me as a writer. Having the series stream across all Netflix territories means my story will reach audiences worldwide, and that kind of visibility is rare for writers published from Africa. This will elevate my brand as a writer. I see this as more than just a personal opportunity; it’s also a chance to show that Zimbabwean stories have a place on the global stage.
Q: As a writer from Bulawayo, what does this achievement mean for creatives from the region?
A: This is a win for Bulawayo. The city has a long history of producing creative talent, and moments like this remind every young person here that their dreams are valid. Growing up, writers weren’t celebrated and the arts weren’t seen as a real career path. People were encouraged to pursue accounting, engineering or medicine instead. As female creatives, we’re now writing a new narrative, showing the next generation that it’s possible to pursue art and still build a meaningful, respected career. Every creative dream deserves to be taken seriously and supported. I’m proud to stand alongside Bulawayo artists who have already put this city on the map: NoViolet Bulawayo, Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu, Bryony Rheam, Nyasha Kadandara, Chioniso Tsikisayi and Mbonisi Mahonondo, to name just a few. We are rebranding Bulawayo as the “City of Queens”. I think Queen Lozikeyi Dlodlo would be proud of the talent this city continues to produce. And every door we open with our wins, we leave for the next person to walk through.
Q: Apart from this project, what are you working on?
A: I’m still very much in my writer era. I’m deep into my next novel at the moment. I can’t give too much away yet, but readers should keep their eyes peeled for 2027. In the meantime, I’ve just wrapped up editing an anthology for Kwela Books called Manhood: Confessions from the Heart. It will be released in June 2026, and it’s an important contribution to the non-fiction genre.
