Deadline is reporting that Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Mustafa Shakir, Terry Pheto and Lerato Mvelase are the latest names to join the cast of epic drama series King Shaka at Showtime.

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King Shaka (formerly known as Shaka: King of the Zulu Nation) will centre around one man’s personal journey from stigmatised childhood to warrior king. Rooted in actual events, the series tells the story of Shaka, the founder of the Zulu Empire and his unlikely rise to power, uniting multiple tribes across vast stretches of southern Africa in the early 19th century to transform his power into legend. The outcast son of a Zulu Chief, Shaka is a visionary who is prophesied to become a king like none before him.

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The report states that Adewale Akinnuoye-Agabaje and Mustafa Shakir have been cast as lead roles in the series, whilst Terry Pheto and Lerato Mvelase have been cast in recurring roles.

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Adewale Akinnuoye-Agabaje (whose credits include Oz and LOST) will be playing the role of Zwide, the sadistic Chief of Ndwandwe who, although a loving family man, employs ruthless fighting methods and terrifying brutal strength.

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Mustafa Shakir (whose credits include Luke Cage and Cowboy Bebop) will be playing the role of Dingiswayo, an ousted prince who becomes Shaka’s mentor and de facto father figure.

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Terry Pheto (whose credits include Tsotsi and A United Kingdom) will be playing the role of Juma, Zwide’s devotedly pious yet conspiring wife.

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Lerato Mvelase (whose credits include Justice Served and For Love and Broken Bones) will be playing the role of Mkabayi, elder sister to Shaka’s father and the most influential voice in the royal court.

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The series is written and created by Olu Odebunmi and Tolu Awosika, who also serve as executive producers alongside Antoine Fuqua, Bridget Carpenter, Propagate’s Ben Silverman, Howard T. Owens and Rodney Ferrell. King Shaka is set to commence production next month in the historic KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) South Africa province, the birthplace of King Shaka, and will be completely shot in South Africa. King Shaka is set to debut on Showtime in 2023.

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The new additions will join a cast that includes Charles Babalola, Aïssa Maïga, Thando Dlomo, Thapelo Mokoena and Warren Masemola.