The scenarios were written by actor and dancer Malik Mohammed (Dertigers) and screenwriter Kristof Hoefkens (Geldwolven). The direction is in the hands of the Dutchman Safi Graauw (Koeriers) and the Flemish talent Michael Abay (Baptiste), who are realizing their first major fiction series. Flemish Minister of Media Benjamin Dalle visited the set this week.
In the comedy-drama series Kameleon, four childhood friends try to escape from the neighborhood in Antwerp where they grew up; a neighborhood where opportunities are few and where many young people opt for the 'get rich fast' option of drug crime. Escaping this is not so easy. The flamboyant daydreamer Chris (Noa Tambwe Kabati) wants a career as an actor, but he just can't break through. Is it because of his skin color, a lack of opportunities, his commitment or is he just worthless? No matter how many setbacks he faces, Chris does not give up, just like his childhood friends Kofi (Namzoya Abdulwahid) - who wants to become a musician -, Blackson (Tama Theophore Kabeya) and Tina (Britt Hellinx). The four ironically call themselves 'the Chameleons', an animal that can adapt effortlessly to its environment and therefore easily switches skin color.
In addition to this impressive main cast, we also see Joffrey Anane (FOMO), Ayana Doucouré (FOMO), Sinay Bavurhe (Match), Frank Lammers (Undercover), Marijke Pinoy (De Dag), Ikram Aoulad (Blackout) and Camilia Blereau (Ghent -West) star in the series.
Malik Mohammed (co-writer): 'We don't call Kameleon a crime series, but a stay out of crime series. Because the latter, among other things, is a challenge for guys like Chris, Kofi and Blackson. We wanted to make an authentic, witty and cutting funny series. No sad drama.'
Pieter Van Huyck (Head of Fiction De Mensen) says: 'We are very proud of the entire cast and crew. In addition, there are many talents that we have not yet or not often seen on a Flemish set. It is a special group of young professionals who we believe are creating something unique. Many of them have a feeling for what the characters are going through, and that is reflected in the imagery, the costumes, the sets and of course the scenarios.'
That is why Flemish Minister of Media Benjamin Dalle wanted to see all this young talent at work with his own eyes during a visit to the set. The minister attended the shooting of several scenes at Kiel in Antwerp, and talked to the directors, actors and crew.
Benjamin Dalle (Flemish Minister of Media): 'It is fantastic to see how fresh this series is and how the makers are fully committed to diversity in front of and behind the scenes. I'm looking forward to seeing all those talents at work on screen.'
Kameleon is a fiction series by production house De Mensen in co-production with Streamz. With the support of the Screen Flanders economic fund and thanks to the Tax Shelter measure of the Federal Government. Kameleon was created with the support of the VAF/Mediafonds of Flemish Minister of Media Benjamin Dalle.
The recordings will end on June 30, 2023 and mainly took place in Antwerp. The series will first be seen exclusively on Streamz in 2024. In the Netherlands, the series can be viewed later on Videoland. Global Screen (a Telepool brand) is responsible for international distribution.
Check out four more photos of Kameleon's protagonists below: Noa Tambwe Kabati, Britt Hellinx, Tama Theophore Kabeya, and Namzoya Abdulwahid.
