Netflix's The Polygamist has viewers hooked, but some may find the series too outlandish to be based on reality. However, it draws inspiration from real events.
A Soap Opera Sensation
Fans of soap operas have become utterly engrossed in the South African production since its debut on 12 June. Currently sitting at number six amongst the most-watched programmes by British audiences, it appears set to continue climbing the rankings.
Created by Akin Omotoso, the 22-episode series opens at the funeral of business tycoon Jonasi Gomora, played by Sdumo Mtshali. Audiences quickly discover that Jonasi's spouse of two decades isn't the sole woman grieving: his clandestine second wife, lover, and partner are also present.
What ensues is a compelling tale exploring "how one man's greed and lust led to his downfall," as described in the synopsis, reports the Mirror. The programme has achieved viral status across social media platforms, with some watchers insisting it's too extraordinary to reflect genuine events.
Is The Polygamist Based on a True Story?
No, The Polygamist is not based on a true story, but it does have some grounding in reality. The original plot is based on Zimbabwean writer Sue Nyathi's 2012 novel sharing the same title. Nyathi has previously acknowledged that the storyline was partly influenced by tales she'd heard about her grandfather, who was married to five women.
"I was interested in examining the version of polygamy that I was increasingly seeing around me, which often felt very different from the traditional structures I had grown up hearing about," she told Glamour ahead of the series premiere. The author continued by revealing she had observed situations where women were coerced into accepting polygamous relationships they hadn't initially consented to after years of marriage, mirroring her characters' experiences.
Family Influence
Discussing how her own family influenced the narrative, Nyathi said: "I also come from a family with a history of polygamy. My maternal grandfather had five wives and my grandmother was the first wife. Hearing those stories made me curious about how modern women navigate these relationships, especially when they have more education, independence and choices than previous generations. That curiosity became the foundation of the novel."
The Polygamist is streaming now on Netflix.
