The Nigerian movie ‘The Real Housewives of Lagos’ is set to debut in early 2022 as a Showmax Original, Candice Fangueiro, Showmax’s head of content, has revealed.

In a statement on Friday, Ms Fangueiro said the leading African streaming service had also renewed ‘The Real Housewives of Durban’ for Season 2 after the show broke Showmax records earlier in the year in South Africa.

Following its success in 50 countries across Africa, she said, “The Real Housewives of Durban Season 1” had launched in numerous international territories.

“We have seen what The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Jersey, Durban and Melbourne get up to. Now it’s time to take a peek inside the opulent lives of some of the most affluent women in Lagos.

“The Real Housewives of Lagos (RHOL) will be the first Nigerian instalment of the award-winning franchise, which is distributed internationally by NBCUniversal Formats, a division of Universal Studio Group.

“This also marks the 16th international version of The Real Housewives format and the third to be adapted in Africa.

RHOL will build on the success of the first two African editions,” she said.

According to her, The Real Housewives of Johannesburg was one of the ten most-streamed local series on Showmax in 2019, while The Real Housewives of Durban (RHOD) broke records when it launched on the African streaming service in January 2021.

Ms Fangueiro said RHOD had since launched with success in 50 countries across Africa and on hayu in 27 territories internationally, including Canada, UK, Ireland, Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Singapore and the Philippines.

“Season 2 of the hit show will return to Showmax early 2022. We have seen audiences across Africa devour The Real Housewives of Johannesburg and The Real Housewives of Durban.

“The Real Housewives franchise lends itself to localisation, and we know our audience is going to love seeing the show reinvented in Naija-style.

“We can’t wait to show the continent – and the world – another side of Lagos, with all the drama, high fashion and luxury you’d expect from The Real Housewives franchise,” she said.

Ana Langenberg, SVP, Format Sales & Production, NBCUniversal International Formats, said, “We are so proud to build on the international success of The Real Housewives of Johannesburg and Durban with our partner Showmax.

“The vibrancy of Lagos and its rich culture, fashion and opulence make for the perfect setting for the show. We also can’t wait to see the second season of Durban come to life and deliver fans all over the world, with more extravagance and entertainment,” she said.

RHOL is produced by Livespot 360. RHOD is produced by Let It Rain Films, with Thumeka Hlotshana attached to direct Season 2 and Emmy winner, Lee Doig (Survivor USA) creative directing.

RHOL and RHOD Season 2 will be available first on Showmax in more than 40 African countries in early 2022.

RHOL will be the second Showmax Original reality series in Nigeria, following on from the success of I Am LAYCON, starring Big Brother Naija Season Five winner, Lekan Agbeleshe, which set a Nigerian first-day record for Showmax when it launched in February 2021.