According to Deadline, Alta Global Media is set to produce a South African version of Jane The Virgin. Propagate International holds the rights to the format, and has recently authorized Alta Global Media the rights to develop a South African adaptation of the hit format.
The U.S. version of Jane The Virgin was created off of the format of the original Venezuelan telenovela Juana La Virgen, created by Perla Farías Lombardini (My 3 Sisters). Ben Silverman (The Office, Ugly Betty) first acquired the rights to the format from the Venezuelan network RCTV International; the series premiered October 13, 2014. CW’s version of Jane The Virgin ran for five seasons, proving to be a hit.
The South African version of the romantic comedy drama will run for 12 episodes, and will be filmed in the local language, targeting Sub-Saharan African territories.
The South African version follows a 22-year-old virgin Zulu woman after she is accidentally artificially inseminated by her gynecologist and must then deal with the reality of her unplanned pregnancy and the love triangle she gets tangled up in.
South African director Mandlakayise Dube of Netflix’s Silverton Siege will be directing the adaptation. Jafta Mamabolo of Johnanesberg is set to write the series.
“We are very pleased to partner with Alta Global Media to bring Jane the Virgin to South Africa,” said Dan Thunell, Co-Head of Propagate International, via Deadline. “Alta is assembling a top-tier local team and we look forward to kicking off production in the near future. Jane the Virgin has resonated with viewers around the world because it tackles relatable, universal themes and we are confident the series will succeed in South Africa.”
The South African adaptation is the most recent for the format. Propagate International has also licensed the format to South Korea, India, China, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Israel, and Serbia.
From Deadline, Alta Global Media Founding Partner Steven Adams said: “This format has such a strong proven global resonance and we are thrilled for the opportunity to work with Propagate and our talented clients Mandla Dube and Jafta Mamabolo on adapting Jane the Virgin for South Africa.”