Unseen premieres its second season today on Netflix. The series plunges viewers back into the perilous world of Zenzi Mwale. Powerfully portrayed by Gail Mabalane, Zenzi began as a seemingly ordinary cleaning lady whose desperate search for her missing husband, Max, dragged her into Cape Town’s dark criminal underworld, setting her on an unexpected path of violence and startling self-discovery. Season 2 kicks off in prison, with our pregnant protagonist looking for a way out. Will she succeed?
Where Season 1 Left Off
The first season of Unseen introduced Zenzi Mwale at her most vulnerable. Her husband, Max (Vuyo Dabula), vanished immediately after being released from a two-year prison sentence. This inexplicable disappearance triggered Zenzi’s frantic search, a quest that quickly entangled her with dangerous figures from Max’s past and the criminal syndicate he was involved with. A central theme emerged as Zenzi navigated this treacherous landscape. Often dismissed and overlooked as just a cleaner by the wealthy employers whose homes she maintained and even by the criminals she encountered, Zenzi weaponized her perceived invisibility. This allowed her to move through dangerous situations unnoticed, but it also led her down a dark path as circumstances forced her to commit a series of murders to survive and continue her search. Key figures like the gangster Jackson and Max’s associate Joseph fell victim to Zenzi’s desperate actions as she sought answers. Beneath the surface of Zenzi’s personal tragedy lay a complex conspiracy. It was revealed that Max had taken the fall for a murder committed by others within a criminal organization involved in money laundering through a corrupt bank, orchestrated by powerful figures like Blessing and the ultimate mastermind, Andrew Harting. The promise that Zenzi and their son, Esulu, would be cared for during Max’s imprisonment was brutally broken; instead, the gangsters killed Esulu, a devastating loss that fueled Zenzi’s subsequent actions. She eventually uncovered the horrifying truth that Raymond (Brendon Daniels) and Joseph, men connected to Max, were responsible for her son’s death. Season 1 concluded on a knife’s edge, leaving Zenzi’s fate deliberately ambiguous. Having lost her son, witnessed her husband’s death in a police shootout, and finding herself hunted by both the authorities and the remnants of the criminal syndicate, Zenzi stood on the edge of a building, seemingly contemplating suicide as her estranged sister Naledi pleaded with her.
What to Expect from Season 2
In the aftermath of tragedy, Zenzi is forced to rely on those who put her behind bars. Will her newfound desire for freedom finally bring an end to her pain? This new season shows us a more complete Zenzi, taking more risks and involved in new plots, with more supporting characters and a storyline that dives almost entirely into the crime thriller genre: shootings, attacks, and the criminal plot of a bank deliberately stealing its clients’ money. Unseen is a classic suspense and action thriller, and even more so in this second season. We already know the characters and their stories, and now the plot tends to feature more action and more high-tension sequences.
Returning Stars and New Faces
At the heart of Unseen is Gail Mabalane’s portrayal of Zenzi Mwale. Her performance in the first season garnered praise for capturing Zenzi’s complex journey from unassuming cleaner to reluctant killer, and she remains central to the ongoing narrative. Several key figures from the first season return alongside Mabalane. Dineo Langa reprises her role as Naledi, Zenzi’s estranged sister whose relationship with Zenzi faced immense strain in season 1. Ilse Klink also returns as Detective Lyners, one of the officers investigating the string of murders connected to Zenzi. The season 1 cast also included actors like Colin Moss, Shamilla Miller, Vuyo Dabula, Brendon Daniels, and Mothusi Magano, whose characters played significant roles in Zenzi’s entanglement with the criminal world. Season 2 introduces several prominent South African actors to the cast, promising to inject fresh intrigue and tension into the already complex narrative. Notable additions include the late Sello Motloung (playing Zenzi and Naledi’s father), Siv Ngesi, Sindi Dlathu, Zolisa Xaluva (as Naledi’s husband, John), and Eric Davids.
From the Creators of ‘Blood & Water’: Behind the Production
Unseen is produced by Gambit Films, a prominent South African production company. Gambit Films is also the creative force behind Blood & Water, another highly successful South African series for Netflix that garnered both local acclaim, including SAFTA awards, and international popularity. This track record establishes a level of quality and audience appeal associated with their productions. The series was created by Daryne Joshua and Travis Taute, key figures at Gambit Films who were also involved in Blood & Water. Travis Taute is credited as a director for episodes in both seasons, alongside other directors like Rea Rangaka and Brett Michael Innes for season 2. The writing team includes contributions from Tristram Atkins, Meesha Aboo, and Sean Drummond. Benjamin Overmeyer and Bradley Joshua are producers from Gambit Films associated with the series. The production of Unseen is part of a broader multi-title partnership between Netflix and Gambit Films. It’s worth remembering that Unseen is an adaptation of the 2021 Turkish Netflix series Fatma. While adapting a proven story provides a solid narrative foundation, it inevitably invites comparisons.
Where to Watch “Unseen” Season 2
