Why The Polygamist is so much more than trash TV and a guilty pleasure streaming hit

The South African Netflix drama 'The Polygamist' has become a global streaming success, breaking viewership records and transcending cultural barriers. The show is praised for its nuanced exploration of tradition and modernity within the African middle class.
Why it matters
The show's success highlights the growing global appetite for non-English content and the increasing influence of African storytelling in the streaming era.
A catfight … Jonasi creates bespoke worlds of attention for his women. Photograph: Netflix A catfight … Jonasi creates bespoke worlds of attention for his women. Photograph: Netflix The Long Wave Television Why The Polygamist is so much more than trash TV and a guilty pleasure streaming hit Deemed Africa’s first Netflix success, the show’s appeal is rooted in a universal story: what people tolerate for love and money
Don’t already get The Long Wave in your inbox? Sign up here
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in