The Africa Channel Studios has launched development on an untitled drama series exploring the true story of legendary African rock band Wells Fargo.
David Straiton (House, M.D., Narcos) and Nora Lonergan (MacGyver) will produce, with writer and musician Daisy Martey penning the pilot.
Narendra Reddy and Brendan Gabriel are set to executive produce for The Africa Channel Studios.Wells Fargo is a rock group from mid-’70s Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) that was prominent in the “Zimrock” scene that popularized hippie-inspired counterculture in Africa.
The series will follow drummer Ebba Chitambo and his bandmates’ rise to national fame as they find themselves on the pointy end of a revolution—impossible underdogs in the fight to liberate a segregated and white-controlled Rhodesia.“After hearing Wells Fargo’s music and story, we were so inspired and intrigued that we dove into the band’s astonishing true story and tracked down the life rights,” said Straiton. “We approached The Africa Channel, who shared our vision and saw the opportunity to executive produce an untold and timely African story.”“We were very inspired by the Wells Fargo story and although it is a period piece, it felt extremely relevant to the times and apropos to our mission of telling stories about Africa and the Diaspora,” added Reddy, who serves as The Africa Channel’s Executive Vice President and General Manager. “We are thrilled to be working with David, Nora and Daisy to bring this story to the world stage.”Straiton is a director and producer who has helped bring to life more than 150 hours of primetime drama, by way of series including Emmy and Golden Globe winner House, M.D.
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