Wikus du Toit currently serves as a commissioning editor at M-Net and kykNET in South Africa.
As well as overseeing the production of local films, dramas and comedies, Wikus also oversees international co-productions, including series such as Recipes for Love and Murder, Spinners, Devil's Peak, and Reyka.
He is an executive producer of over 15 Afrikaans films, including Toorbos, Barakat, Gaia, Fiela se Kind, and Griekwastad. In addition, Wikus holds a Master's degree in Drama, as well as a postgraduate Diploma in Tertiary Education and a second Master's degree in Education, focusing specifically on promoting critical thinking and facilitating creativity in Film, TV, and Drama students.
1. What is the best thing about being a scripted content CE?
The opportunity to shape and bring to life captivating stories that resonate with audiences. It's incredibly fulfilling to work with talented writers, directors, and production teams to create compelling and high-quality content that entertains and engages viewers.
2. What kind of content does your audience love the most?
Our audience has diverse preferences, but they tend to love content that combines strong storytelling with relatable characters. Authenticity, fresh perspectives, and culturally relevant narratives also tend to resonate well with our audience.
3. When you read a script, what excites you when you’re considering a commission?
A unique and fresh perspective, strong character development, and a compelling story that keeps me engaged from beginning to end. I look for originality, emotional depth, and a clear understanding of the target audience. Memorable dialogue, well-paced narratives, and the potential for innovative storytelling techniques also capture my attention.
4. Which script immediately caught your attention and why?
Reyka as well as Spinners. These concepts were original, and the scripts showcased richly layered characters facing complex moral dilemmas. The stories explored universal themes of survival, humanity, and hope, and it had the potential for stunning visual storytelling. These were two projects that stood out for their creativity, depth, and strong emotional impact.
5. Hypothetically, if you could go back and change anything about a show you have worked on, what would it be?
Hypothetically, it would be to ensure a more seamless and organic integration of a diverse range of perspectives and voices in the creative process. Inclusivity and representation are vital, and I believe that by embracing a broader range of experiences, we can create even more impactful and resonant storytelling.
6. What is the most important thing about having a commissioning editor involved in a production?
Our ability to provide creative guidance and support. We bring a comprehensive understanding of the target audience, market trends, and the channel’s programming strategy. Our input helps shape the project from the earliest stages, ensuring that it meets creative and commercial objectives, and aligns with the overall vision of the channel or platform.
7. What advice do you have for anyone thinking about going in your direction?
It is unique due to its rich cultural diversity and vibrant storytelling traditions. It offers a wide range of narratives that reflect the country's complex history, contemporary social issues, and diverse communities. As a commissioning editor, this unique landscape influences my work by inspiring me to seek out stories that authentically represent South African voices, cultures, and experiences. It provides an opportunity to showcase narratives that resonate not only with local audiences but also have the potential to captivate global viewers.
8. What would you say makes the South African content landscape unique and how does that influence what you do?
It is unique due to its rich cultural diversity and vibrant storytelling traditions. It offers a wide range of narratives that reflect the country's complex history, contemporary social issues, and diverse communities. As a Commissioning Editor, this unique landscape influences my work by inspiring me to seek out stories that authentically represent South African voices, cultures, and experiences. It provides an opportunity to showcase narratives that resonate not only with local audiences but also have the potential to captivate global viewers.
9. What exciting projects can audiences be on the lookout for in the near future?
We have a gripping thriller series set in the heart of Cape Town called Devil’s Peak, based on the novel by Deon Meyer, as well as an Afrikaans medical procedure called Hartklop and a dark gripping historical biopic called Catch Me A Killer.
