Rogan Productions Launches South Africa Office, Revamps Management to Free Nelson Mandela!

EXCLUSIVE: Just after their successful production of Channel 4’s Free Nelson Mandela, Rogan Productions is expanding its footprint by setting up a new office in South Africa.

Named Rogan South Africa, this new branch will operate from Johannesburg and maintain strong connections to Cape Town. This venture represents the first overseas establishment for the 13-year-old company originally based in London.

Concurrently, Rogan is adjusting its leadership structure. Founders James and Soleta Rogan are now stepping into the roles of co-CEOs and will oversee the operations of Rogan SA as they seek a local lead producer. Previously, Soleta Rogan served as Managing Director while James Rogan was the Creative Director. Meanwhile, Mark Hedgecoe, who heads Rogan Scotland in Glasgow, will transition to STV in October, prompting a search for his successor.

Both Soleta and James Rogan have a deep connection with South Africa. Their recent three-part documentary series Free Nelson Mandela critically examined the life of the iconic anti-apartheid leader and South Africa’s first Black president in 1992. The series is now being offered to international markets by BBC Studios.

Rogan has also produced Original Sin: My Son the Killer for the now-defunct South African streaming service Showmax. This documentary, a collaboration with the UK’s Electric Shadow Company and others from Brazil and South Africa, follows Thea Pretorius, whose son, Gerhard Jansen van Vuuren, shockingly murdered his girlfriend in 2011 and fled just before his trial in 2013.

“South Africa’s vibrant creativity and compelling narratives have always fascinated us, making it a long-standing dream to establish a base here,” stated James Rogan. “This region is home to world-class talent in both drama and documentary filmmaking. With Rogan SA, we’re tapping into a rich tradition of storytelling that’s both potent and promising, marking an exciting phase in our creative and business journey.”

Rogan’s body of work includes notable productions such as Boom Box: Beats and Betrayal for HBO Max, Bowie: The Final Act for Film4/Channel 4, as well as the BAFTA-winning Grenfell: Uncovered for Netflix and Uprising for the BBC.

“Expanding our operations allows us to tell more stories across various formats and reach broader audiences,” added Soleta Rogan. “We have been strategically planning this expansion for years and establishing a presence in a region that we personally cherish is truly a milestone worth celebrating. We are excited about the future projects that will come from our expanded portfolio.”