The Winding Road: My Journey of Creating a TV Series
Jerome Arab
Founder & CEO at Underrated Individuals | Creative Strategist | Business & Life Coach | Award-winning African Producer
From a mere concept to a burgeoning multimedia universe, the journey of bringing "Copper Bullet" (formerly "Dos Santos Brothers" and "Alkebulan") to life has been nothing short of extraordinary. What began as a simple idea has blossomed into a sprawling creative ecosystem, connecting me with remarkable individuals and opening doors I never imagined possible.
The Creative Partnership
It all began with an unexpected conversation with Stephen Jones, my son's friend's father. During one of our casual chats, I mentioned my TV series idea, and his eyes lit up with genuine interest. Since 2022, Stephen has become an invaluable partner, helping me develop characters and scripts whenever his schedule permits. Our creative partnership has evolved into a brotherhood, though we don't always see eye-to-eye on creative decisions. We've developed a playful system where whoever writes the last draft gets to keep their ideas (which means I'll be writing the final draft before we shoot!).
Finding Our Identity
After parting ways with an executive whose vision didn't align with mine, I embarked on a funding quest that led to conversations with industry heavyweights like Roc Nation , Tyler Perry Studios , and even attempts to connect with Idris Elba's Green Door Pictures .
The name evolution reflected our journey of self-discovery. When the former executive criticised "Dos Santos Brothers" for not being "African enough," we pivoted to "Alkebulan," the oldest name for Africa, meaning "cradle of mankind" or "garden of eden." This name change represented my commitment to authentic African storytelling and reclaiming our narrative heritage.
A pivotal conversation with Judy Kibinge , the matriarch of Kenyan docufilm, encouraged me to "go for the gold." Emboldened by her words, I began connecting with old friends and industry contacts, who generously shared connections to people who had worked with legends like Tupac, Biggie, and Idris Elba...
Unexpected Connections
My research for the series led me to watch content by investigative journalist Jesús J. Esquivel on Netflix. On a whim, I reached out to him, never expecting a response. To my amazement, Esquivel not only replied but engaged in three lengthy calls, sharing invaluable insights about the complex connections between Africa and the narcotics world that would bring authenticity to our series.
While searching for someone to play my on-screen brother, I discovered Akende Munalula , an actor of Zambian descent. After reaching out online, he enthusiastically joined our project. When Stephen and I completed the pilot in 2023, we sent it to Akende and Tendaiishe Chitima , who loved it and brought evelyn Gambe on board. Evelyn then introduced us to John Njaga Demps , expanding our creative family.
Building a Community
As discussions with Roc Nation gained momentum, we held a casting call that attracted 350 talented creatives eager to join our production. This groundswell of interest led to an unexpected partnership when Lord Osei-Ofori reached out after noticing we shared a project title. Despite never meeting in person, Lord and I have become partners, developing another franchise called "Rise of The Ancients" (ROTA) alongside our "Copper Bullet" universe.
Expanding the Universe
What began as a single TV series concept has expanded into a multimedia universe:
Mikaela and The Chicken Thief: This children's book introduces young detective Mikaela, whose adventures begin on a Zambian farm before she joins the ensemble cast of "Copper Bullet." By creating this spin-off, we're developing accessible entry points for audiences of all ages into authentic African storytelling.
Rise of the Ancients (ROTA): My collaboration with Lord Osei-Ofori has birthed an ambitious multimedia franchise reimagining ancient African mythology through cutting-edge mixed-reality storytelling. The franchise encompasses a television series, graphic novels, podcasts, cultural festivals, and immersive technologies.
Borosai Tales: This book series serves as an entry point to the ROTA universe, introducing readers to the sacred mythology of the Borosai people and the continent of Alkebulan. "The Lazy Hunter's Folly" with "The Mirror of Faith" both being published this year.
The Vision Grows: Alkebulan Studios
Our ambitions have expanded beyond content creation to include Alkebulan Studios, a sustainable entertainment ecosystem inspired by The Venus Project. Based in Zambia's Copperbelt region, this initiative aims to revolutionise how entertainment is produced and consumed through:
Where We Stand Today
Though our production hasn't yet materialised in its final form, our journey has yielded remarkable accomplishments:
The road to creating a TV series has been longer and more winding than I ever anticipated, but it has led to something far more significant than I initially envisioned. What began as a simple story has evolved into a movement, a community, and a vision for the future of African storytelling.
Our journey continues, and while the destination may have changed along the way, the path itself has become the most valuable part of the experience.