'Equalizer' Director Antoine Fuqua Set To Helm & Produce 'Shaka: King Of The Zulu Nation' Series For Showtime

A series based on the life of Zulu King Shaka is in the works at Showtime.

The network announced today that Shaka: King of the Zulu Nation has been ordered for a 10 episode series based on the warrior king.

Antoine Fuqua, known for his directing work on The Equalizer films and Training Day, is set to direct and executive produce the show. Childhood friends Olu Odebunmi and Tolu Awosika created and wrote the scripts. They will also be executive producers.

Rooted in actual events, Shaka: King of the Zulu Nation tells the story of the Zulu Empire chief Shaka and his unlikely rise to power, uniting multiple tribes across vast stretches of Africa in the early 19th century to transform his power into legend, on par with history’s most seminal figures.

In ferocious battles that test the body and soul, in alliances that test the bonds of love and friendship, a complex sociological system plays out that renders the human cost front and center, for the victors as well as the vanquished, all in an effort to carve out a semblance of identity, fulfillment and ultimately, survival.

“This project offers a gateway to our past that is so critical to our global history and yet so often marginalized,” Antoine shared in a statement. “Through Shaka: King of the Zulu Nation, we hope to bring this saga to life, all the tears, sweat and blood, all the joy and sorrow, all the intimacy and intensity and humanity. In short, we’re going to rock the world with this one.”

There’s also a director named Shaka King that’s gained a lot of prominence in the Oscar race this season. See which film he directed here!