The new South African series ‘Bad Influencer’ is now streaming on Netflix, marking another milestone for local productions on the global platform.
Blending crime, drama, and social commentary, the show has quickly captured the attention of viewers for its sharp writing and layered performances.
‘Bad Influencer’ follows the story of a struggling single mother, Bk, who teams up with a popular social media personality known as Qween Pinks to sell counterfeit designer handbags.
Their business starts as a quick way to escape financial troubles but soon spirals into a dangerous underworld of criminal syndicates and police investigations.
As the two women navigate betrayal, greed, and survival, the series explores how desperation and online fame collide in a digital age obsessed with luxury and appearance.
Created by Kudakwashe “Kudi” Maradzika, ‘Bad Influencer’ stars Lerato Nxumalo, Cindy Mahlangu, and Thapelo Mokoena.
The supporting cast includes Brendon Daniels, Jo-Anne Reyneke, Zozibini Tunzi, and Hamilton Dlamini — names familiar to many South African viewers from hit shows like The Queen, The River, and Blood & Water.
The six-part miniseries was produced by Gambit Films and Lincoln Green Media, the same companies behind several acclaimed South African productions.
The story is set in Johannesburg, using the city’s fast-paced energy and urban tension as a backdrop to the moral conflicts faced by its characters.
While the show’s storyline feels grounded in reality, ‘Bad Influencer’ is not based on true events.
The show draws on real-world social media culture and the growing market for counterfeit luxury goods in cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town.
The series also casts a spotlight on influence and morality, who gets to shape trends online and at what cost.
It cuts deep into how many young people, driven by financial hardship, turn to risky ventures to maintain appearances on social media.
Through its tense storytelling and complex female leads, ‘Bad Influencer’ sheds light on how easily the line between survival and exploitation can blur.
Since its release on Halloween, 31 October 2025, ‘Bad Influencer’ has trended among South African viewers and earned strong reviews for its production quality and performances.
Critics have praised it as a smart, socially aware thriller that uses the influencer world to comment on deeper issues of class, inequality, and image obsession.
With its fast-paced plot and distinctly South African setting, ‘Bad Influencer’ joins the growing list of local productions finding success on Netflix, showcasing how homegrown stories continue to resonate with audiences both locally and internationally.
