Becoming The Muse

Coffee With Kudi Maradzika

If you were having coffee with me we would be, we would be having a quick chat with Kudi Maradzika, an award-winning, Zimbabwean screenwriter, director, producer, performer, and creative entrepreneur who is also the creator and executive producer of the Neflix South African crime drama series Bad Influencer.

 Coffee or tea?

Tea always. Chamomile or Hibiscus to be exact.

How would you describe yourself and the things you like to create?

I write stories about underdogs, people on the fringe of society, and unexplored worlds beneath the surface that have never been seen before. I infuse aspects of this in all stories I tell.

What inspired the idea behind Bad Influencer? Was there a real-life moment that set the story in motion?

I used to be an influencer myself, and when the Realness Episodic Lab call came out, the idea of BK, a woman trying to fit into this world of influencers while hiding a criminal life, came to mind.

What does Bad Influencer say about authenticity and ambition in today’s digital world?

Simply put. All that glitters isn’t gold, and surface-level gloss often hides grit if you look hard enough.

You created, wrote, and executive-produced the series; which of those roles challenged you the most?

Writing a show is very different from making one. Even though I have extensive experience as a producer, I had never worked on a show this size before. So, a lot of the learnings came from this process.

As a storyteller on a global platform, how do we ensure our storytelling remains rooted in African authenticity while appealing to a global audience?

Make the journey of the characters relatable and grounded. If people in South Africa can resonate with the story, then people around the world will because we all identify with the core themes: family, ambition, and love.

What do you hope global audiences will understand about Southern African hustle culture after watching Bad Influencer?

I hope they understand that there’s more that connects us than divides us. Hustle culture and the need to survive and be seen are a global theme.

 When the credits roll, what do you hope the audience’s takeaway will be, not only about the show but Kudi Maradzika?

I’m hoping people will see my name and identify it with great content.

The same way you see Shonda Rhimes or Taylor Sheridan’s names on screen and know you’re in for a good time. They’re huge household names, but a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step, and that’s what this show is for me. The first step of many.

 Without spoilers, what’s your favourite line from the series?

The line in mind is so crucial and so identifiable, I can’t say it without giving something away! I’m hoping people will make memes about it online, though, because it’s such a classic line. You’re just going to have to tune in and see for yourselves.

Looking ahead, what kinds of stories do you still dream of telling, stories that haven’t yet been given space on global platforms?

As I said, stories of underdogs and worlds unseen. There are so many of these to explore! My upcoming projects include more TV shows as well as an Afro-futuristic comic titled ‘Artemis Elixa’.

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Thank you, Kudi, for sharing your time, insights, and creative journey. Here’s to the unexplored stories that celebrate authenticity, ambition, and the beautiful complexity layered into the African narrative. Now lets see if the iconic line becomes immortalised in the viral meme culture.

Bad Influencer premiered on Netflix on 31 October 2025.

~B

PS As a fan of Afro-futurism will definitely be watching out for Artemis Elixa.