Unseen is a South African crime drama series created by Travis Taute and Daryne Joshua. The series stars Gail Nkoane Mabalane as Zenzile “Zenzi” Mwale and Mothusi Magaro as Lufuno, alongside a strong supporting cast.
Unseen is inspired by the Turkish thriller Fatma and follows the story of Zenzile Mwale, a house cleaner whose husband goes missing shortly after being released from prison. Season 1 premiered on Netflix on March 29, 2023, followed by the release of Season 2 on May 2, 2025
Unseen quickly became one of my favorite South African series. From the moment it premiered, I was immediately drawn in, and I was thrilled to see that Netflix renewed it for a second season. The very first episode had me hooked, I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. When I discovered that the series was inspired by the Turkish thriller Fatma, I became even more curious about what motivated the creators to adapt the story into a South African context rather than continuing the original Turkish narrative. But that’s a conversation for another time.
I was already familiar with Gail Mabalane’s work and acting abilities from Blood & Water, so seeing her take on the role of “Zenzi”, a badass house cleaner with shades of John Wick or Bob Odenkirk in Nobody, felt like a perfect fit. While I could nitpick some of the acting, underdeveloped characters, or a few of the action sequences, not to mention some of the production and cinematography, I won’t dwell on those. What truly makes this series stand out is its compelling storyline.
Moreover, the series does an excellent job of highlighting the life of someone often overlooked or dismissed by society. As a house cleaner, Zenzi is the kind of person no one would expect to fight back, let alone take down an entire crime organization. Her strength lies in her invisibility, her ability to move through the world unnoticed… to remain “unseen” until it’s too late. It’s a powerful exploration of how underestimated individuals can possess extraordinary resilience and power.
Overall, the first season is a slow burn, cautiously building the foundation and pulling you into Zenzi’s world, her anguish, heartbreak, and the pain of losing not only her husband but also their only child. Then comes Season 2, which continues to build on that emotional momentum, diving even deeper into her grief. It also introduces a powerful moral and ethical conflict, as Zenzi begins to confront the people who tore her world apart.
At its core, Unseen serves as a powerful form of social criticism, questioning who gets seen, acknowledged, and validated in a world that routinely ignores them, whether due to socioeconomic status, gender, race, or more. The series challenges these dynamics by exploring what happens when the invisible finally push back, demanding to be noticed. It’s a fascinating narrative with a deeper commentary on visibility, power, and justice.
