The largest medical drama series and the first of its kind to come out of South Africa commenced principal photography in May in Johannesburg.

Set in a socially turbulent, violent, yet undeniably modern city, JOZI-H is a gripping medical drama about the personal struggles faced by an eclectic, international band of doctors, surgeons and nurses dedicated to saving lives at one of the world’s highest profile emergency medicine facilities – “Johannesburg Metropolitan Hospital”.

The result promises to be enthralling, compelling viewing in a series filled with complex characters and intriguing storylines, based on universal themes, yet ready to tackles hot issues. JOZI-H is a hard-hitting series that combines cutting-edge medicine with riveting drama.

The 13 x 1 hour series is a co-production between the award-winning Canadian-based Inner City Films (Ekhaya: A Family Chronicle, North/South, Survivors) and Morula Pictures, a leading South African production company headed by Mfundi Vundla, producer of the hit soap Generations and a producer of the motion picture In My Country (starring Samuel L Jackson and Juliette Binoche). JOZI H is produced in association with the SABC in South Africa and Canadian Broadcaster, CBC.

The series is exec-produced by Inner City’s Amos Adetuyi, Alfons Adetuyi and Marva Ollivierre (Under The Knife, Skin Deep), with Morula Pictures’ Mfundi Vundla and Adeelah Carrim (Magic Cellar).

Also serving as executive producers are Tony Dennis (Band of Gold, Silent Witness) and head writer Alyson Feltes (Traders, The Associates). Stephen J. Turnbull (Wilby Wonderful, The Pentagon Papers) is the series producer and Walter Ayres (Whisky Echo, Dead Easy) serves as line producer.

Among the directors are Anne Wheeler (Davinci’s Inquest Better than Chocolate), Kelly Makin (Queer As Folk, The Eleventh Hour), Alfons Adetuyi (Ekhaya: A Family Chronicle), Thabang Moleya (Portrait of a Dark Soul, Interrogation Room), Dumisani Phakathi (The Electric Workshop, An Old Wife’s Tale) and Neal Sundstrom (Homeland, Dead Easy).

The key cast includes South African talent Thami Ngubeni (Generations, Critical Assignment), Neil McCarthy (Hotel Rwanda, The Lost World), Tumisho Masha (Beyond Boarders, Drum) and Hlomla Dandala (Isidingo: The Need, Lord of War) with Canadian actors Sarah Allen (Wall of Secrets, Human Trafficking) and Vincent Walsh (Saving Private Ryan, Missing) and American talent Billoah Greene (Head of State, Everyday People).