A thrilling mix of grit, glamour, and audacious hustle, Netflix’s latest South African original series “Bad Influencer”brings viewers into the wild, high-stakes world of counterfeit fashion—and the women daring enough to survive it.
At the heart of this sharp new crime dramedy is BK, played by the powerhouse Jo-Anne Reyneke, a small-time con artist and fiercely devoted single mother. With her son’s special needs weighing heavily on her conscience and finances, BK is determined to secure a better future—even if it means bending the law. Enter Pinky, portrayed by rising star Cindy Mahlangu—a wannabe luxury influencer with big dreams and an even bigger appetite for the high life. Together, the unlikely duo launches a bold (and illegal) online business selling fake luxury handbags, turning their hustle into a booming underground operation.
But what starts as a desperate attempt to make ends meet quickly spirals into a dangerous game. Their counterfeit scheme draws the attention of Bra Alex (Vincent Mahlape), a fearsome player in a powerful counterfeiting syndicate. As law enforcement closes in from one side and criminals encroach from the other, BK and Pinky find themselves walking a razor-thin line between survival and self-destruction.
Caught between criminals and cops, their only way out is to outsmart them all. But in a world where trust is scarce and danger lurks behind every “designer” label, will their hustle be their saving grace—or their ultimate downfall?
Developed by Lincoln Green Media and produced in collaboration with the award-winning Gambit Films, this series is helmed by some of South Africa’s brightest creative minds:
- Created by: Kudi Maradzika & Lincoln Green Media
- Creative Producer: Nosipho Ngoasheng-Dumisa
- Executive Producers: Kudi Maradzika, Nosipho Ngoasheng-Dumisa, Bradley Joshua, Benjamin Overmeyer, Simon Beesley, Travis Taute, and Daryne Joshua
- Co-Executive Producer: Daniel Zimbler
- Directors: Keitumetse Qhali & Ari Kruger
- Head Writers: Kudi Maradzika & Daniel Zimbler
- Writers: Kudi Maradzika, Sydney Dire, Daniel Zimbler
While it delivers on suspense, style, and sharp-tongued wit, this series also explores deeper themes—motherhood, survival, and the invisible economies that keep communities afloat. BK and Pinky’s story is one of resilience and rebellion, challenging the traditional lines between right and wrong in a world where opportunity often comes dressed in deception.
Don’t miss the premiere on 31 October, only on Netflix—a slick, fast-paced ride through the high-stakes world of counterfeit couture, loyalty, and the hustle for a better life.