Johannesburg, 18 August 2026: Adventure, magic and history collide with time-travelling chaos when Tad and The Magic Lamp arrives in South African cinemas on Friday, 28 August 2026.

The fourth film in the popular Tad the Lost Explorer franchise sees Tad facing a very different challenge. He and Sara are now parents to fearless two-year-old Oli, who has inherited her parents’ appetite for archaeology and adventure. Tad, however, has become an overprotective dad, while his old friend Mummy is struggling with no longer being the centre of attention.

Things take a spectacular turn when the gang discovers the Magic Lamp in Buckingham Palace, and Mummy uses it to travel back to Paititi, Peru, in 1502. Tad, Sara, and their friends must follow him into the past before his actions change history forever. What follows is a globe-spanning race through time, taking them from Peru across the Atlantic to Greece and deep into the Middle East, all the way to the legendary cave of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.

At its heart, the new film combines the franchise’s trademark archaeology, fantasy, comedy, and action with a story about family, friendship, and parenthood. Screenwriters Josep Gatell and Manuel Burque describe the adventure as a quest packed with mysteries, chases, ancient traps, and iconic locations, with the Magic Lamp introducing time travel into Tad’s world for the first time. Director Enrique Gato returns to the character he first brought to the screen in a short film two decades ago. The franchise has since become an international animation success, with the first feature released in more than 35 countries and later instalments setting new records for Spanish animation.

Tad and The Magic Lamp is directed by Enrique Gato, written by Josep Gatell and Manuel Burque, and produced by Ghislain Barrois, Álvaro Augustin, Nico Matji, Edmon Roch, Marc Sabé, and Javier Ugarte.

The post Tad and The Magic Lamp Brings a New Adventure To Cinemas appeared first on Alt News Network.

Johannesburg, 18 August 2026: National Geographic’s new three-part docuseries 9/11 Reunited will premiere on National Geographic (DStv 181, StarTimes 220), on Tuesday 25 August at 20:30, with a triple bill of three episodes airing back-to-back. The series will also be available on Disney+ in South Africa.

Created in collaboration with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and from the Emmy ^® Award-winning team at 72 Films, the series revisits the deadliest terrorist attacks in U.S. history through the extraordinary human connections formed amid the chaos, courage, and heartbreak of that day. Across the episodes, survivors, first responders, and witnesses reunite with the strangers, rescuers, and everyday heroes who changed, and in many cases saved, their lives on September 11. Many of these emotional reunions take place for the first time in 25 years, providing a rare opportunity to ask long-held questions, express gratitude, and reflect on how those moments have stayed with them for decades.

9/11 Reunited is executive produced by David Glover and Mark Raphael of 72 Films, along with Academy Award ^® winners Dan Lindsay and TJ Martin. Louis Lee Ray produces, and Julian Jones directs the series for 72 Films. For National Geographic, Cate Hall and Carolyn Payne serve as executive producers.

Extending the storytelling beyond the docuseries, National Geographic will debut a groundbreaking digital experience in early September featuring an expansive video archive of never-before-seen footage, exclusive interviews, and original source material drawn from its acclaimed catalog of 9/11 documentaries. Available on NatGeo.com, the searchable archive invites audiences to explore eyewitness testimony and the lasting aftermath of September 11 through an immersive, multi-perspective experience that brings together firsthand accounts and historical context. Complementing the interactive archive, National Geographic will also publish a companion digital feature by 9/11 historian Garrett M. Graff examining the pivotal 17 minutes between the first and second plane impacts at the World Trade Center. Through a detailed, minute-by-minute narrative, the feature provides additional context and insight, enriching the broader interactive experience.

Rounding out the digital experience, National Geographic, in conjunction with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, will publish an original reportage on the annual “Tribute in Light” public art installation on September 11. The feature will include exclusive photography of this year’s installation by renowned architectural photographer Christopher Payne.

The post National Geographic Revisits The Human Stories Of September 11 appeared first on Alt News Network.

LION Airs on National Geographic and National Geographic Wild from Sunday 23 August 2026, as well as being available on Disney+ in South Africa

Johannesburg, 12 August 2026: National Geographic has given audiences their first look at LION, an ambitious four-year wildlife story centred on Kio, a young lion whose journey from vulnerable cub to king is captured on camera. Behind the series are The Lion King live-action director Jon Favreau and BBC Studios Natural History Unit Creative Director Mike Gunton, while the soundtrack features the work of Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer, Niccolò Pacella and George Huston Warren of Bleeding Fingers Music.

The four-part event series debuts on National Geographic (DStv 181 and StarTimes 220) and National Geographic Wild (DStv 182, StarTimes 221), on Sundays at 18:00 from Sunday 23 August, across Africa, with a double bill each week, and will also be available on Disney+ in South Africa.

With narration by O.J. Lynch (Mufasa, “The Lion King” stage production), LION brings to life the extraordinary true story of the Maasai Mara’s lion kings, queens, and a new hero named Kio. Blending Favreau’s distinctive storytelling and passion with Gunton’s world-class natural history expertise, the ambitious series goes beyond traditional wildlife documentaries to deliver a gripping, blockbuster drama rooted in documentary truth.

Zimmer leads the score alongside Bleeding Fingers Music’s Niccolò Pacella and George Hutson Warren, with additional vocals from the Nairobi Chamber Chorus. Drawing on recordings captured in the Maasai Mara, including local singers, instruments, and even lion roars, the music blends the scale of a cinematic adventure with the emotional texture of the wild, while subtly weaving in rerecorded musical nods to “The Lion King.” The original series soundtrack will be released through Hollywood Records on 21 August and will be available wherever music is streamed.

Four years in the making and filmed in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, this is the first natural history production to document a lion’s complete journey from vulnerable cub to king. The crew, including local Kenyan filmmakers, logged nearly 1,400 filming days across 52 shoots, the most time ever spent in the field exclusively following a single pride.

“After tracking the lions in the field for four years, the pride never ceased to surprise us – what Kio endures and eventually becomes is extraordinary. Watching the hero’s journey against the backdrop of nature was incredible to witness,” says Favreau.

Echoing the themes that made the beloved animated film a classic, the series is a sweeping coming-of-age saga of family, hope, and courage that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Filled with drama, heart, and high-stakes adventure, it offers a powerful co-viewing experience for animal lovers, families, and anyone drawn to epic storytelling.

In celebration of National Geographic’s LION, Disney is continuing the “Protect the Pride” campaign, supporting the Wildlife Conservation Network’s Lion Recovery Fund (LRF) and its partners working across Africa. The campaign shares the LRF’s vision of doubling the number of lions in the wild by 2050. Since the launch of “Protect the Pride” in 2019, Disney has invested more than $5 million in LRF, whose network has helped support more than 400 conservation projects across 26 countries focused on stabilizing and recovering lion populations through locally led solutions.

LION is produced by BBC Studios Natural History Unit for National Geographic. Jon Favreau and Mike Gunton executive produce the series. Jane Atkins is a series producer, and Simon Blakeney is a co-executive producer. For National Geographic, Janet Han Vissering and Tom McDonald executive produce.

The post Meet Kio, the Lion Cub at the Heart of National Geographic’s LION appeared first on Alt News Network.

Johannesburg, 12 August 2026: The PAW Patrol pups are back in cinemas, and this time they’re facing an adventure of prehistoric proportions. PAW PATROL: THE DINO MOVIE hit the big screen this past weekend, bringing dinosaurs, daring rescues and plenty of action for fans of the beloved franchise.

In the new movie, the pups find themselves far from Adventure Bay after their ship is caught in a mysterious storm and crash-lands on an uncharted tropical island filled with dinosaurs. There they meet Rex, a pup who has lived on the island for years and knows everything there is to know about its prehistoric inhabitants.

But adventure quickly turns to danger when Mayor Humdinger begins recklessly mining the island in search of its natural resources, inadvertently causing a huge dormant volcano to erupt. It is then up to the PAW Patrol and their new friend Rex to tackle a series of dino-sized rescues and save the island and its inhabitants from disaster.

The Adventure Comes to Malls Across SA

To celebrate the cinema release, PAW PATROL: THE DINO MOVIE activations are bringing Adventure Bay to shopping centres across South Africa. Young fans can enjoy hands-on toy demonstrations with Prima Toys, shop the latest PAW Patrol toys from Toy Kingdom, discover paw-some character clothing from Woolworths, and treat their furry friends with goodies from Montego. Packed with fun activities and exciting products, the activations offer families the perfect way to celebrate the arrival of the film in cinemas.

Of course, no Paw Patrol experience would be complete without one of its best-known pups. Chase will make special appearances for meet-and-greets, giving fans the chance to meet the police pup in person and snap a photo with him.

Chase will be at Mall of Africa from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 August, with appearances between 11:00 and 16:30 each day. He will then move to Menlyn Park Shopping Centre from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 August, where he will also be appearing from 11:00 to 16:30 daily, before heading to The Pavilion in Durban from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 August, from 11:00 to 16:30 each day.

PAW PATROL: THE DINO MOVIE is now showing in cinemas nationwide.

The post PAW Patrol Pups Face Dinosaurs In Their Biggest Adventure Yet appeared first on Alt News Network.

Cape Ballet Africa (CBA), in association with Global Star Events, brings the world’s most beloved classical ballet, Swan Lake, to the Teatro at Montecasino now on stage only until Sunday, 23 August. Ballet lovers can enjoy savings of up to 40% on selected performances and ticket categories for a limited time. Tickets are on sale at webtickets.co.za.

The production is choreographed by London-based Georgian Elena Glurjidze, while Paris-born Béjart Ballet Lausanne Principal Dancer Aubin Le Marchand and Austrian principal, Solomon Osazuva, join the company in the principal role of Prince Siegfried as guest artists. The season also sees several of CBA’s own artists in the principal roles, including Gabriel Ravenscroft, Joshua Williams, Gabriel Fernandes Da Silva as Prince Siegfried, and Leanè Theunissen, Paige McElligott, Maryana Pobuta and Savannah Ireland as Odette/Odile.

Glurjidze, who will also provide stage direction for the Montecasino run, is a former Lead Principal Ballerina with the English National Ballet (ENB). She has a long personal history with Swan Lake, first dancing as Odette/Odile for the ENB in 2002 and closing out Derek Deane’s Swan Lake at the London Coliseum on 18 January 2015 in the same role. Her repertoire also included principal roles in Giselle, Don Quixote, The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Romeo & Juliet, Cinderella, Coppélia, Manon, The Snow Queen, Chopiniana, Etudes and Schéhérazade. Glurjidze owns and directs the Masters of Ballet Academy in London, sending students onwards to the Royal Ballet Upper School (London), Vaganova Academy (St Petersburg) – her own alma mater, Bolshoi Academy (Moscow), Dutch National Ballet School (Amsterdam), Berlin State Ballet School (Berlin) and others. Glurjidze is described as an empathetic motivator, which will stand her in good stead with the 50-strong CBA company.

CBA’s Gabriel Fernandes Da Silva is a native of Brazil and, having danced in South Africa for almost seven years, joined Cape Ballet Africa in February 2026. Making his debut as Prince Siegfried at the Teatro, he partners Savannah Ireland for this season of Swan Lake. The role has a special meaning for Da Silva, who says, “Siegfried isn’t just a fairytale prince; he’s a mirror of my own youth and resilience. At 21, cornered by the pressure of the throne, Prince Siegfried represents the weight of responsibility – it represents an echo of the demands life laid on me from a young age. On stage, I find my refuge in dance, the same freedom I chase when shedding the weight of the everyday grind.”

Born and trained in Pretoria, Leanè Theunissen has previously danced the role of Odile, but she will make her debut in the dual roles of Odette/Odile at the Teatro. The role represents and demands the epitome of technical prowess and skilled storytelling from the ballerina embodying it. Theunissen is partnered by Gabriel Ravenscroft for this season and is enthralled by Swan Lake’s complexity. “I love the duality of light and dark,” she says. “In dancing both Odette and Odile, the challenge is to bring forth a whole range of emotions within the span of two hours. Mistrust, fear, grief, pain, sensuality, guile and strength. These are passions that reside within all of us. The joy of being a performer is presenting the audience with a feeling that awakens their own reality and emotion.”

Guest artist Aubin Le Marchand (who will play Prince Siegfried) trained at the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet School, beginning his professional career with the Croatian National Theatre in Split, where he performed leading roles in Onegin, The Great Gatsby, Romeo and Juliet, Don Quixote and La Esmeralda before joining Tulsa Ballet in the United States. His artistry and technical prowess saw him rise rapidly to the rank of Principal Dancer. He has worked with internationally renowned choreographers including Derek Deane, Angelin Preljocaj, Thierry Malandain, Kenneth Tindall, Leo Mujić and Vasily Medvedev. In 2025, Le Marchand joined Béjart Ballet Lausanne, one of Europe’s foremost contemporary ballet companies, where he continues to expand his international repertoire.

Fellow guest Solomon Osazuva – who previously worked with CBA for the company’s production of Giselle in November 2025 – graduated from the Ballet Academy of the Vienna State Opera. After graduation, he joined the National Theatre Brno, where he quickly rose to perform solo and leading roles. As a freelancer, Osazuva has expanded his repertoire and artistic voice across Europe, appearing as a guest artist with several prominent institutions, including the Bosnian National Theatre and the Slovenian National Theatre.

Cape Ballet Africa’s Swan Lake brings dramatic intensity and elegance from a company celebrated for artistic excellence and expressive storytelling. Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece is bolstered by opulent sets by Michael Mitchell and sumptuous costumes by Marcel Meyer, the team who designed CBA’s double Naledi Award-nominated production of The Nutcracker.

Debbie Turner, CEO and Artistic Director of Cape Ballet Africa, says, “Collaborating with exceptional artists from around the world is an incredible experience for everyone in the company. We inspire one another, learn from each other’s unique talents, and continually challenge each other to reach new heights.”

Simon Bryce, CEO of Global Star Events, can’t wait for the run to begin: “The season extension came early, reflecting the tremendous excitement surrounding Swan Lake in Johannesburg. Audiences can expect a spectacular celebration of the artistry, passion and enduring magic of classical ballet.”

Cape Ballet Africa and Global Star Events’ Swan Lake brings the classical ballet’s intoxicating intrigue and mesmerising elegance back to the stage in Johannesburg. Book now to avoid disappointment! The show is recommended for all ages over five years. Ticket prices range from R220 to R720.  Take advantage; book now at webtickets.co.za and save up to 40% for select seats and performances for a limited time only.

Contact showgroupbookings@gmail.com for discounted student and group ticketing offers on 20+ tickets for select performances and price categories.  Cape Town season details to be announced soon.

The post Cape Ballet Africa Brings Swan Lake To Montecasino In 2026 appeared first on Alt News Network.

Johannesburg, 30 July 2026: Murder in a Small Town is back on Universal TV (DStv 117), bringing another season packed with mystery, suspense and hidden truths. Season 2 premieres on 5 August at 8 p.m., with fresh episodes arriving every Wednesday before concluding on 7 October 2026.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the coastal town of Gibsons, Season 2 sees Detective Karl Alberg tackling a fresh wave of perplexing cases while navigating the complexities of his personal life. Alongside his brilliant protégé Edwina Yen, old-hand Sid Sokolowski, and roguish rookie Andy Kendrick, Alberg faces an array of unexpected challenges as secrets stir just beneath the beauty of the small town’s surface. As each new investigation unfolds, the line between friend and suspect becomes increasingly blurred.

Away from the police station, Alberg’s life is equally complicated. Recently divorced and adjusting to life in a new community, he finds himself falling for Cassandra Lee, a librarian whose deep ties in the community complicate both his role as Chief of Police and his relationship with his teenage daughter, who has followed him across the country. Despite these challenges, Alberg and Cassandra embark on a quirky and heartfelt mid-life love story that forms the heart of the series.

The cast includes Aaron Douglas (The Bridge, My Christmas Hero), Bethany Brown (The 100, A Safe Distance), Marcia Gay Harden (Into the Wild, Margo’s Got Money Troubles), Savonna Spracklin (Wildhood, Hold the Dark), Fiona Vroom (Altered Carbon, Three Wise Men and a Baby), Marci T. House (Godzilla, Lou), Joshua Close (Wayward, Fargo).

Murder in a Small Town is produced by Sepia Films in association with Fox Entertainment and Future Shack Entertainment. Ian Weir, Amanda Tapping, Morris Ruskin and Sharon Wisnia (Mojo Global Arts), Tina Pehme and Kim Roberts (Sepia Films) and Jeff Wachtel and Jared Berenholz (Future Shack Entertainment) are executive producers. Nick Orchard of Soapbox Productions also serves as producer.

Murder in a Small Town Season 2 premieres on Universal TV on 5 August at 8 PM, with new episodes every Wednesday until the series finale on 7 October 2026.

The post Murder in a Small Town Returns With New Mysteries This August appeared first on Alt News Network.

Johannesburg, 29 July 2026: The trailer for the much-anticipated movie Children of Blood and Bone was launched at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York this week. The trailer features new original songs by Grammy Award® winning artists Tems and Burna Boy. Tems has been announced as executive music producer of the upcoming soundtrack while Burna Boy serves as the film’s executive music consultant.

In the film, in the epic fantasy world of Orïsha, a young woman goes on a quest to reclaim the magic that was violently stolen from her people. She and her brother ally with the daughter and son of the king to fight back against his brutal rule. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE features a stellar cast including Thuso Mbedu, Damson Idris, Amandla Stenberg, Tosin Cole, featuring Academy Award® nominee Cynthia Erivo, Lashana Lynch, Zackary Momoh, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Academy Award® nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor, Academy Award® winner Regina King, with Idris Elba and Academy Award® winner Viola Davis.

Children of Blood and Bone releases in cinemas on 15 January 2027.

The post Children of Blood and Bone Trailer Debuts With Epic Fantasy Action appeared first on Alt News Network.

Johannesburg, 28 July 2026: Telemundo (DStv 118) has announced the premiere of its highly anticipated new telenovela, The Casillas Dynasty, arriving on 10 August. New episodes will air every evening at 9 PM, continuing through to the season finale on 9 November 2026. Featuring an acclaimed ensemble cast and cinematic production values, the series promises an intense story filled with betrayal, shifting alliances and fierce battles for power.

Leading the cast is Iván Arana (El Señor de los Cielos, La Jefa), delivering a riveting performance as the infamous Ismael Casillas, and María Fernanda Yepes (Sin Senos No Hay Paraíso, Rosario Tijeras) as Elizabeth, a formidable woman drawn back into the shadows of the underworld. Icons Raúl Méndez (Narcos, Sense8) and Isabella Castillo (The Lord of Skies, Vikki RPM) star alongside a commanding lineup of acclaimed talent.

In the aftermath of Aurelio Casillas’s mysterious disappearance, The Casillas Dynasty trembles on the edge. As Ismael Casillas steps into the unforgiving spotlight, he’s thrust into a relentless war for legacy and the one bond that holds them together – family. In a ruthless world fueled by ambition and fear, loyalty becomes a weapon, and protecting blood comes at any cost.

This new chapter begins as Diana and Ismael Casillas embark on a mission to liberate Aurelio and Rutila, when a series of unexpected events force them to rethink their strategies and alliances.  They must fight for control of the cartel in a world where enemies lurk around every corner. As old ghosts return and new conflicts emerge, their path leads them to an explosive confrontation against El Gancho’s cartel. For leverage in this battle, they seek the support of Elizabeth, Chema’s ex-wife, who sees the opportunity to leave her life in Milan and return to the underworld, fight for territories, gain power, and finally create an alliance with the Casillas. Will they manage to survive and reinvent themselves, or will their entire empire fall?

The Casillas Dynasty features a standout cast, including Roberto Sosa, Robinson Díaz, Plutarco Haza, Ianis Guerrero, Karen Sandoval, David Palacio, Ximena González Rubio, Gonzalo Vega Jr., Ana González Bello, Alan Slim, Wendy de los Cobos, Carlos Corona, Leonardo Álvarez, Alejandro Aguilar, Christian Gnecco, Alexis Juárez, Luciana Silveyra, Vanessa Acosta, David Ponce, Florencia Ríos, Ana Sofía Gatica, Jesusa Ochoa and Sandra Quiroz.

Produced by Telemundo Studios, The Casillas Dynasty was written by Juan Camilo Ferrand and directed by Javier Fox Patrón, Mauricio Corredor, and Laura Marco Lavilla. Cinematography is led by Juan Carlos Lazo, Ricardo Garfias, and Alejandro Tellez, with production design by Marisa Pecanins. Mónica Vizzi serves as executive producer, with Mabel Vargas as general producer.

The Casillas Dynasty premieres exclusively on Telemundo on 10 August, with new episodes every night at 9 PM until the season finale on 9 November 2026.

The post The Casillas Dynasty Premieres on Telemundo This August appeared first on Alt News Network.

Johannesburg, 24 July 2026: For the first time, South African sports fans can watch the world’s leading professional padel tour live from home as ESPN (DStv Channel 218 and StarTimes 248) broadcasts the historic Premier Padel P1 Pretoria tournament from 27 July to 2 August. Hosted at SunBet Arena at Time Square as part of the global Qatar Airways Premier Padel Tour, the event marks a significant step in the international growth of one of the world’s fastest-rising sports.

In addition to showcasing the sport’s biggest international stars, the tournament will also provide South African players with the opportunity to compete locally through wildcard entries and qualification pathways.

Fans can follow the action live on ESPN as the tournament reaches its decisive stages:

• Monday 27 July: Opening rounds (from 17:00)
• Tuesday 28 & Wednesday 29 July: First Round, Men’s & Women’s (from 9:00 onwards)
• Thursday 30 July: Round of 16 (from 10:00 onwards)
• Friday 31 July: Quarter-finals (from 10:00 onwards)
• Saturday 1 August: Women’s Semi-final (13:00) and Men’s Semi-final (17:00)
• Sunday 2 August: Women’s Final (13:00) and Men’s Final (15:00)

With live coverage from Pretoria complemented by social media content and updates, the Premier Padel promises to treat fans to one of the world’s fastest-growing sports while placing South Africa firmly on the international padel calendar.

For updates regarding the Premier Padel and other sports, fans can connect to @ESPNAfrica on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit espn.com.

The post ESPN to Broadcast Historic Premier Padel Pretoria P1 Live appeared first on Alt News Network.

Johannesburg, 23 July 2026: Starting 9 August at 7 p.m., Next Gen NYC Season 1 arrives on Bravo Africa (DStv Channel 124), airing two episodes every Sunday until the finale on 30 August. The series follows an ambitious group of young New Yorkers as they pursue success, build relationships and discover what it really takes to make it in the city that never sleeps.

The series will follow Ariana Biermann, Riley Burruss, Ava Dash, Emira D’Spain, Shai Fruchter, Gia Giudice, Brooks Marks, Georgia McCann, Hudson McLeroy and Charlie Zakkour as they establish their identity and shape the cultural zeitgeist, all while diving headfirst into the chaos that is NYC living.

Next Gen NYC follows a tangled web of friends raised in the spotlight – or at least close enough for good lighting – as they stumble into adulthood one brunch, breakup and spontaneous decision at a time. Whether stepping out of their parents’ shadows or creating their own legacies from scratch, these twenty-somethings are determined to conquer Manhattan – if they can figure out how to adult first. Together, they’ll navigate friendships, careers and romance, proving that trouble runs on espresso martinis and questionable decisions.

The series also features The Real Housewives personalities, Kandi Burruss, Teresa Guidice, Meredith and Seth Marks and Kim Zolciak-Biermann, as their children embark on their next chapter in the Big Apple. Chole Marks also appears alongside her brother Brooks, shaking up the group dynamic.

About the cast:

Ariana Biermann is the first in her family to leave Atlanta and step out on her own – no safety net, no family backup, just high-school sweetheart Hudson, a dream of launching a streetwear line, and a one-way ticket to New York City. Growing up with mum Kim Zolciak-Biermann on The Real Housewives of Atlanta taught her how to navigate chaos, keep her circle tight and always stand up for what’s right. Can she build a life on her own terms or is she about to learn that Southern loyalty doesn’t always translate in the big city?

Riley Burruss may have music legend and The Real Housewives of Atlanta veteran Kandi Burruss as a mum, but she’s determined to make her mark on her own terms. Riley hustled through her NYU years, snagging every high-profile internship in sight. Level-headed and totally unfazed, she says exactly what she’s thinking, which makes her the go-to for people who can handle the truth. Now she has one year to discover her true passion (or it’s off to law school and a 9-to-5 life) and with childhood friend Ariana Biermann suddenly back in her orbit, things are about to get a lot more dramatic. Can Riley figure it all out or is growing up about to serve her a major reality check?

Ava Dash has always had that it factor. The daughter of music mogul Damon Dash and fashion icon Rachel Roy, Ava was surrounded by legends from day one, but she’s never needed a famous last name to turn heads. Cool, calm and effortlessly collected, Ava is the girl every guy wants to date and every girl wants to be. She grew up in Tribeca and after years in L.A., is now back in the city, pursuing modelling full-time. With a new guy in the picture and fresh faces entering the circle, Ava’s effortless reign as the group’s most-wanted might not be so effortless after all.

Emira D’Spain has hustle in her DNA. Born in Dubai and raised in Dallas, she turned her NYU degree and a killer internship into a coveted role as Paper magazine’s beauty director, and now she’s thriving as one of New York’s most successful content creators. Ambitious, driven and always two steps ahead, Emira lives life on her own terms and never apologizes for her success. She usually stays above the fray when drama unfolds, but this summer, balancing romance and friendship loyalties might disrupt her perfectly planned hustle.

Shai Fruchter has spent his whole life adapting – from growing up between Israel and China to transplanting into a suburban New Jersey high school. Now after a year in Manhattan’s eclectic East Village, he’s finally free to explore creativity, romance and the endless pursuit of authenticity, but joining this circle of bold, connected, and ambitious friends might be more than he bargained for.

Gia Giudice might be Jersey royalty thanks to her mum, The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Teresa Giudice, but she’s determined to build a legacy all her own. Fresh out of college and with law school on pause, Gia is juggling schedules to see her long-term boyfriend and hustling nonstop between New Jersey and Manhattan. Gia’s survived a lifetime of family drama in the public eye, making her fiercely protective of family and friendships. But while Gia has plenty of drive, the actual drive into the city might just push her over the edge. Despite Gia’s ambitious and loyal nature, the pull of Manhattan might shift her priorities.  

Brooks Marks wasn’t born into the spotlight – he walked right into it (in a perfectly tailored tracksuit) when his mum, Meredith Marks, made her debut on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City while he was in college at NYU. Now a fashion entrepreneur, Brooks has big dreams — but his real talent is finding himself in the middle of drama, despite claiming he hates conflict. As he turns 25, Brooks faces a major crossroads: step out from under his mum’s shadow, or keep playing referee between family demands, messy friendships and a never-ending to-do list. Can he finally put himself first or will his signature poker face crack under the pressure?

Georgia McCann is New York’s ultimate Gen Z it-girl – bold, brilliant and unapologetically original. A fourth-generation New Yorker, Georgia fiercely defends the city’s artistic soul from developers and finance bros alike. As a brand and events creative strategist, Georgia rules the downtown scene. The city has always been her first love, but this summer a surprising romance and shifting friendships might shake things up, threatening to leave Georgia’s carefully curated world in turmoil.

Hudson McLeroy comes from an Atlanta family known for massive self-made success, and he’s already had early success on his own as an investor. Now he’s heading straight into the hustle of New York City, all in the name of love. He and Ariana Biermann have been on-again, off-again sweethearts since junior high, and while they might seem like a match made in heaven, navigating Manhattan’s social scene can be taxing on any relationship. Hudson’s got charm, ambition and a Southern gentleman’s manners, but can he handle this circle of friends (and frenemies) or is fitting in about to become his riskiest investment yet?

Charlie Zakkour is a crypto trader and private investor who’s been ruling NYC’s club scene since he was 14, and he knows everyone (and their secrets). Charming but blunt, Charlie says exactly what’s on his mind, and sometimes what others wish he wouldn’t. Beneath his tough exterior, he’s fiercely loyal, especially to close confidants like Ava Dash. For the first summer in years, Charlie finds himself basking in his autonomy, but he might find being unattached creates more drama than ever.

Next Gen NYC Season 1 is produced by 9th Degree Productions. Michaline Babich, Shari Levine, David O’Connell, Chaz Morgan, Michelle Schiefen, Lauren Nathan and Ariel Algus executive produce. 

Next Gen NYC Season 1 premieres on Bravo Africa (DStv 124) on 9 August at 7 PM, with back-to-back episodes every Sunday until the season finale on 30 August 2026.

The post Meet New York’s Rising Stars in Next Gen NYC Season 1 appeared first on Alt News Network.