MITTEE & SELINA
An epic 9 part TV series, set in 1890s South Africa
Two women, one white, the other mixed race, brought up as sisters, bound together by a tragic past. But in this hierarchical, male-dominated society, white Mittee is predestined to make a good marriage, while mixed race Selina, will be obliged to become her servant, until uncontrollable sexual desire breaks the bonds, leading to murder, betrayal and desperate bid for freedom against the backdrop of approaching war.
Paul: Mittee’s fiance. Attractive, arrogant, ‘mad, bad and dangerous to know’. He will commit murder to protect his reputation, not once but several times.
Jansie: Selina’s unwanted, yet persistent suitor. Shot dead by Paul after he beats Selina within an inch of her life.
Like Nora in The Doll’s House, fickle Mittee feels she has never had a chance to grow up. As she cools on her impending marriage, Selina ends up sleeping with Paul. On Mittee’s wedding day, Selina is secretly carrying Paul’s child.
Basil Castledene: British missionary. Morally compromised by his secret affair with Mittee, he resigns from the church and is wounded fighting for the British against the Boers.
The destruction of Castledene’s Mission
The two women prepare to make a desperate dash for freedom across the mountains. But a vengeful Paul is in hot pursuit .
Critical
Selling
Points
Originality: 1890's Boer Gauteng (Transvaal) never before explored on series TV.
Point of view: the story is uniquely told from the pov of Selina, the mixed-race servant.
Contemporary themes: race, masculinity, female identity, all explored through the timeless issues of love, sex, murder and war.
Powerful roles: an actor-driven story for leading actors/actresses.
Epic Television: magnificent landscapes, ox-drawn covered wagons, steam trains and stagecoaches... against the backdrop of approaching war.