Lookout Point and Expanded Media start filming major new South African crime series, Devil’s Peak

Devil’s Peak, written and created for television by Matthew Orton, has begun filming in Cape Town. The five-part crime thriller series, which stars a cast of celebrated South African actors, is produced by Lookout Point and Expanded Media Productions for BBC Studios and MultiChoice Studios.

Based on Deon Meyer’s acclaimed 2004 bestseller, which is the first in the series of novels centered on Detective Benny Griessel, Devil’s Peak is a multi-layered crime thriller set within one of the most beautiful yet divided cities on earth: Cape Town.

It follows talented but broken Detective Benny Griessel, tasked with tracking down a righteous vigilante killer whose crimes are capturing the imagination of the city. Benny is played by Hilton Pelser (Moffie, Glasshouse, Kissing Booth). Meanwhile award-winning Sisanda Henna (Trackers, Rogue) plays grieving father Thobela Mpayipheli desperately seeking justice after the untimely murder of his son.

Benny and Thobela are brought into the orbit of trapped mother Christine, played by Tarryn Wyngaard (Raised By Wolves, Stam, The Watch), who is willing to do anything to achieve a better life for herself and her daughter. The fates of these three characters become inextricably linked as the series builds to its explosive climax. Combining gripping tension with uncompromising authenticity, Devil’s Peak offers an original South African take on the investigative thriller for today.

The series will be directed by multi-award-winning director Jozua Malherbe (Griekwastad, Justice Served). Rounding off the lead cast are Shamilla Miller (Blood & Water, Troy: Fall of a City), who plays Benny’s wife, Anna Griessel, and Masasa Mbangeni (The Republic, Scandal), who plays Mbali Kaleni, Benny’s detective colleague.

The series is written and created for television by Matthew Orton (Operation Finale, Moon Knight), with award-winning Amy Jephta (Skemerdans, Barakat) joining as writer and Associate Producer. Orton, Laura Lankester from Lookout Point and Francis Hopkinson from Expanded Media are Executive Producers; while while M-Net’s Executive Producers are Yolisa Phahle, Allan Sperling and Jan du Plessis. Johann Knobel (Bad Sisters, The Shadow Line) is the Producer.

The 5 x 50 minute episodes will deliver in 2023 with Multichoice premiering on M-Net in South Africa, and distributing in Sub-Saharan Africa while BBC Studios, Lookout Point’s parent company, will distribute in the rest of the world. South African Production Services are provided by Film Afrika.

Deon Meyer says: “Benny Griessel started his fictitious life as a humble once-off cameo character, and never in my wildest dreams did I think he would one day be part of an international TV series. I am absolutely thrilled that this brilliant team of cast and crew will bring him and his story to life.”

Francis Hopkinson, Executive Producer Expanded Media Productions, says: “I am delighted that Expanded Media are collaborating with Lookout Point on this production and bringing Deon Meyer’s iconic character to life.”

Laura Lankester, Executive Producer Lookout Point, says: “Matthew Orton has created an exhilarating, propulsive, contemporary adaptation of Deon Meyer’s work, alongside Amy Jephta, one of South Africa’s foremost screen talents. With Jozua Malherbe directing and a brilliant South African cast onboard, we are excited to bring the world of Benny Griessel to international audiences.”

Yolisa Phahle, CEO: General Entertainment and Connected Video at MultiChoice Group, says: “With the addition of Devil’s Peak, we’re proud to continue investing in the very best, well-produced premium local content. Not only is this an authentically South African story starring a South African cast, it is also filmed in our own backyard – benefiting several industries and economies beyond the television industry. Our most recent collaboration with Deon Meyer was Trackers, which was a huge hit with viewers and critics. We have no doubt that Devil’s Peak will resonate with audiences just as strongly,”