Blood & Water is a South African teencrime drama television series developed by Gambit Films for Netflix starring Ama Qamata, Khosi Ngema and Gail Mabalane. Set in Cape Town, the series follows a girl who transfers to an elite school when she suspects one of the students may be her sister, who was abducted as a baby.
The initial season, comprising six episodes, premiered on Netflix on May 20, 2020. Following its release, Netflix announced the renewal of the series for a second season in June 2020, which debuted on September 24, 2021. A third season, announced in April 2022, premiered on 25 November 2022. A fourth season premiered on 1 March 2024. The series won Best TV Drama at the 2021 South African Film and Television Awards as well as awards for cinematography and sound design.[3]
Plot
The series revolves around Puleng a high school girl whose sister Phume was kidnapped as part of a human trafficking network shortly after birth.[4][5] On the same day of Phume's birthday Puleng was invited to a party of Fikile Bhele a popular athlete studying at Parkhurst College, a prestigious school in Cape Town.[6] After Wade a new acquaintance points out their resemblance, Puleng starts to suspect that Frikkie is Phume. She has lived in the shadow of her sister all her life so she decides to get to the bottom of things. She transfers to the elite school to investigate.[7] While solving the puzzle, Puleng discovers that the mystery of her missing sister is not the only secret that her friends and family keep.[8]
Khosi Ngema as Fikile "Fiks" Bhele (née Phumelele Khumalo), Puleng's newfound half-sister who was kidnapped by a human trafficking syndicate as a baby.
Thabang Molaba as Karabo "KB" Molapo, an aspiring rapper in Fikile's friend group and Puleng's ex-boyfriend
Dillon Windvogel as Wade Daniels, the first student at Parkhurst to befriend Puleng and later became his girlfriend and also the son of the headmistress
Arno Greeff as Christopher "Chris" Ackerman, a pansexual swimmer in Fikile's friend group and later Wendy's boyfriend.
Ryle de Morny as Chad Morgan (season 1), the swim coach at Parkhurst
Greteli Fincham as Reece van Rensburg, a girl in Fikile's friend group who deals drugs and is having financial troubles
As another year passes since her sister's disappearance, Puleng shoulders her parents’ complex grief and escapes for a taste of joy... with a twist.
2
2
"The Interview"
Nosipho Dumisa
Travis Taute
20 May 2020 (2020-05-20)
Puleng combines secrecy and strategy as she continues her quest for answers, and a special project leads to a closer bond with Fiks and her classmates.
3
3
"Propaganda"
Travis Taute
Nosipho Dumisa
20 May 2020 (2020-05-20)
Fiks faces backlash while campaigning for Head Girl. Meanwhile, Puleng considers a pivotal decision: Share her mission with Wade or abandon the search?
4
4
"Payback's a Bitch"
Daryne Joshua
Travis Taute
20 May 2020 (2020-05-20)
The tables turn as Puleng experiences her own school scandal. Later, she and Wade chase a new lead. Fiks struggles with the pitfalls of romance.
5
5
"Frenemy No. 1"
Daryne Joshua
Daryne Joshua
20 May 2020 (2020-05-20)
After Wendy goes on record, Puleng grapples with regret ... and grows closer to KB. Fiks hosts a poolside gathering and deals with a devastating blow.
6
6
"Trippin'"
Nosipho Dumisa
Nosipho Dumisa
20 May 2020 (2020-05-20)
Tensions mount at a party with KB's family and friends. Puleng prepares for her father's trial and examines a series of life-changing revelations.
Season 2 (2021)
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7
1
"New Kid Syndrome"
Nosipho Dumisa-Ngoasheng
Nosipho Dumisa-Ngoasheng
24 September 2021 (2021-09-24)
A painful past meets an uncertain present as Fiks struggles with her identity. Meanwhile, a shocking request threatens to hamper Puleng's progress.
8
2
"Mayday"
Thati Pele
Nosipho Dumisa-Ngoasheng
24 September 2021 (2021-09-24)
As Fiks grapples with a personal decision, Reece weighs the risk and reward of a new side hustle. Puleng plans a party with the help of a loyal friend.
9
3
"The Source"
Travis Taute
Daryne Joshua
24 September 2021 (2021-09-24)
Dealing with a setback, Puleng asks for a favor. KB receives big news and faces a tough critic. A school assignment sparks entrepreneurial interest.
10
4
"Spiyoyo"
Daryne Joshua
Mmabatho Montsho
24 September 2021 (2021-09-24)
Tension mounts between Puleng and Wade, a lavish tea party takes shape, Reece raises the stakes of her game, and Fiks encounters a sweet surprise.
11
5
"Puleng vs. The World"
Daryne Joshua
Nelisa Ngcobo
24 September 2021 (2021-09-24)
Fiks and Puleng chase a new lead ... and deal with the consequences. Reece agrees to a new responsibility, and KB prepares for a performance.
12
6
"Dark Times"
Nosipho Dumisa-Ngoasheng
Chinaka Iwunze
24 September 2021 (2021-09-24)
An outburst reshapes Puleng's and Fikile's next steps. Elsewhere, KB faces the music after a rogue decision, and Reece reaches her breaking point.
13
7
"Family Matters"
Travis Taute
Daryne Joshua
24 September 2021 (2021-09-24)
After a string of shake-ups, Fiks receives more news, Puleng reconsiders her love life, and the case takes a shocking turn during a pivotal party.
Season 3 (2022)
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14
1
"Re-Orientation"
Travis Taute
Chinaka Iwunze
25 November 2022 (2022-11-25)
Fiks pays an emotional visit to the Khumalo house and looks for answers with Puleng. The authorities investigate the Molapos. Siya starts at Parkhurst.
15
2
"The Recruit"
Mmabatho Montsho
Chinaka Iwunze
25 November 2022 (2022-11-25)
KB confronts a surprise arrival while Fiks also receives a visitor. At school, a bullying incident gets out of hand. Chris rents a yacht for his 18th.
16
3
"Blind Spot"
Mmabatho Montsho
Nelisa Ngcobo
25 November 2022 (2022-11-25)
Friends and loved ones rally around the Khumalos in the weeks after a terrible tragedy — but Puleng can't shake the feeling that it wasn't an accident.
17
4
"Out of the Shadows"
Thati Pele
Chinaka Iwunze
25 November 2022 (2022-11-25)
After a police raid at a rave, Wade and Fiks take drastic measures as they try to locate missing Puleng. Meanwhile, Chris receives tough news from Wendy.
18
5
"Mayfair"
Thati Pele
Nelisa Ngcobo
25 November 2022 (2022-11-25)
Puleng's situation grows more precarious. With the authorities remaining tight-lipped, Wade and the gang take matters into their own hands.
19
6
"A Tale of Two Sisters"
Nosipho Dumisa-Ngoasheng
Thati Pele, Mmabatho Montsho
25 November 2022 (2022-11-25)
A bloody showdown takes place at the Molapo house and Puleng plots another escape — but will the perpetrators of all this pain ever see justice?
Another year at Parkhurst brings fresh faces and a new threat to Puleng's doorstep. Chris sets himself up as KB's manager after his music goes viral.
21
2
"Tick Tock B****"
Nosipho Dumisa
Tristram Atkins
1 March 2024 (2024-03-01)
KB's music career is derailed by a violent encounter. Puleng enlists Wade in her search for the blackmailer and discovers she isn't the only target.
22
3
"Bad Decisions"
Zenn van Zyl
Meesha Aboo
1 March 2024 (2024-03-01)
Puleng takes matters into her own hands, driving a wedge between her and Fiks. Meanwhile, the annual summer gala provides cover for a daring heist.
23
4
"Just Act Normal"
Nozipho Nkelemba
Tristram Atkins
1 March 2024 (2024-03-01)
An exam-cheating scandal jeopardizes Tahira's future, but others see an opportunity. Puleng puts Fiks in danger as she closes in on the blackmailer.
24
5
"Too Little, Too Late"
Zenn van Zyl
Meesha Aboo
1 March 2024 (2024-03-01)
Fiks is violently confronted with her past while KB and Chris end up in a tough spot of their own. With the truth in hand, Puleng takes drastic action.
25
6
"Proceed With No Expectations"
Keitumetse Qhali "Director Ki"
Chinaka Iwunze
1 March 2024 (2024-03-01)
The gang is drawn into a tense standoff as Puleng and Fiks desperately scramble to save each other and prevent the worst from happening.
Production
Development
In February 2019, it was announced Netflix had picked up their second South African original production after Queen Sono with a new teen drama from Gambit Films directed by Nosipho Dumisa and written by Daryne Joshua and Travis Taute. Bradley Joshua and Benjamin Overmeyer would produce.[10]
In June 2020, Netflix renewed the series for a second season.[11] The writers' room was expanded for the second season, and Thati Peele was added to the directing team.[12]
On 6 April 2022, it was revealed the third season of the show was under production.[13]
Leroy Panashe Siyafa, Katishcka Chanderlal, and Alzavia Abrahams joined the cast for season 2 with Greteli Fincham promoted to a more central role.[16]
In February 2024, it was announced Wanda Banda had joined the cast of Blood & Water for its fourth season.[17]
Filming
Principal photography for the first season began on location in and around Cape Town in June 2019.[18] Parts of the University of Cape Town made up the fictional Parkhurst College, such as Smuts Hall and Sarah Baartman Hall. Other filming locations included Cape Town City Hall, the Bay Hotel in Camps Bay, Sea Point promenade, the Atlantic Seaboard, Durbanville, and Llandudno.[19] The swimming pool scenes were shot at Generations School in Somerset West.
Filming for the second season started 1 November 2020 and ended on 3 March 2021 in Cape Town.[20] By the third season announcement in April 2022, filming had already commenced in Cape Town.[21]
As of June 2023, production on the fourth season was underway.[22]
Release
A teaser trailer for the first season was released on 11 May 2020 followed by the official trailer on 15 May.[23] All six episodes were available on Netflix from 20 May.[4]
In August 2021, Netflix announced the season 2 release date with a teaser trailer as part of their September 2021 slate. A new official poster was also revealed.[24] Netflix dropped the full trailer on 13 September.[25] The seven episode second season was released on 24 September 2021.
In October 2022, Netflix officially announced that season 3 would be released on 25 October 2022 with a teaser trailer.[26] This was followed by the full trailer on 9 November.[27]
On 5 September 2023, it was revealed season 4 would be released in the first quarter of 2024. On 7 February 2024, Netflix released the trailer and confirmed the season would be released on 1 March 2024.
Reception
Critical and audience response
For season 1, Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 80% based on 5 reviews with an average rating of 6.5 out of 10.[28] The series received attention from celebrities such as Gabrielle Union and Lil Nas X.[29]
James Olivier, Richard West, Simon Ratcliffe, Jade Hill, Jack van Wyck, Carl Roberts, Michael Broomberg, Tamlyn Taylor, Charles Singleton, David Houston, Jaime Lopes, Craig Ormond
