Showtime has announced a series order for the upcoming drama series, Shaka: King of the Zulu Nation. It is executive produced and directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day). The project is from CBS Studios, Propagate and Fuqua Films and created and written by Olu Odebunmi and Tolu Awosika. They exec produce Ben Silverman and Rodney Ferrell of Propagate.

The description: Rooted in actual events, SHAKA: KING OF THE ZULU NATION tells the story of the Zulu Empire chief Shaka and his unlikely rise to power, uniting multiple tribes across vast stretches of Africa in the early 19th century to transform his power into legend, on par with history’s most seminal figures. In ferocious battles that test the body and soul, in alliances that test the bonds of love and friendship, a complex sociological system plays out that renders the human cost front and center, for the victors as well as the vanquished, all in an effort to carve out a semblance of identity, fulfillment and ultimately, survival.

“Olu and Tolu have written such an exciting and emotional origin story of an African warrior hero and Antoine’s passion for this project, coupled with his formidable talent, promises an epic series unlike any other on television,” said Gary Levine, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc.

“This project offers a gateway to our past that is so critical to our global history and yet so often marginalized,” said Fuqua. “Through SHAKA: KING OF THE ZULU NATION, we hope to bring this saga to life, all the tears, sweat and blood, all the joy and sorrow, all the intimacy and intensity and humanity. In short, we’re going to rock the world with this one.”