“A mother pushed to the limit”: Marked is Netflix’s “testing” heist drama with an "unthinkably tough" dilemma

How far would you go to save your child if they were sick? That's the premise of a testing new Netflix drama, Marked, which has an unthinkably tough dilemma at its heart. The new heist drama centers around security guard mother, Babalwa (Lerato Mvelase), who's pushed to her limit when her daughter is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and she's unable to pay the medical bills. It's a harrowing situation and it's sure to make for emotional viewing.

The six-part South African series will see Babalwa plan a desperate cash heist to save her daughter, Palesa (Ama Qamata) - but can she pull it off and could the consequences be even more devastating than the situation she's already in? If you're a fan of shows like The Stolen Girl or The Missing, it's a must-watch. Ahead of the series arriving on Netflix this summer, here’s everything you need to know about Marked, including the plot, cast and release date.

What is Marked about?

Marked focuses on Babalwa, a religious Johannesburg mother who works as a cash-in-transit security guard. But when her daughter Palesa takes a turn for the worse with a terrifying illness, Babalwa discovers that she and her husband, Lungile (Bonko Khoza), have no way to pay for the medical care to save Palesa’s life.

After exploring every avenue, she finds there's still no medical aid, no savings, and no lifeline in sight. And she soon falls foul of small loans lenders, forcing her into an “uneasy alliance” with local hustler Zweli (Sphamandla Dhludhu) and dependable colleague, Tebza (S’Dumo Mtshali), which pulls Babalwa into a high-stakes scheme that puts everything, and everyone, she loves on the line.

However, Babalwa is betrayed by the very people she trusted. With loyalty in short supply and danger closing in, she’s forced to shed any remaining illusions of mercy and is dragged deeper into a world of moral grey zones, left to decide how far she's willing to go. Cornered by circumstance, she’s fighting to protect what matters most – but it could end up costing her own life as a result.

Who's in the cast of Marked?

Joining Lerato Mvelase (The Wife, Justice Served) as Babalwa, the cast also includes:

• Sphamandla Dhludhu (The River)
• S’Dumo Mtshali (My Brother’s Keeper)
• Bonko Khoza (Ithonga)
• Mduduzi Mabaso (Queendom)
• Ama Qamata (Blood and Water)
• Natasha Thahane (Isono)
• Gaisang Noge (Adulting)
• Linda Sokhulu (Savage Beauty)
• Desmond Dube (Jewel)
• Jerry Mofokeng wa Makgetha (Blood Legacy)
• Clementine Mosimane (The River)

Is there a trailer for Marked?

Yes - and it shows a mother desperate to go to any lengths to save her daughter. You can watch the trailer below:

View full post on YouTube

How can I watch Marked?

Good news, there’s not long to wait at all! All six episodes of Marked will be available to stream on Netflix from Thursday 31st July.