The Polygamist's creator says women see themselves reflected in her Netflix hit

Sue Nyathi, the author of The Polygamist, says her debut novel, which was published in 2012, became a hit after she self-published it due to publishers doubting its marketability. The novel, adapted for Netflix, is now a top 10 series in over 60 countries and number two in the United States. Nyathi, a Zimbabwean author, drew inspiration from the traditional practice of polygamy in her family, but the novel focuses on the "modernised, or perverted, version" of the practice involving deception and lack of consent.

The story revolves around a woman, Joyce, who discovers her husband Jonasi has married and set up homes with three other women behind her back, leaving her with less autonomy due to age gaps and financial dependence. The novel highlights the power imbalance and lack of agency in these relationships, resonating with many women who see themselves in the characters.

Nyathi, a self-made writer, worked in finance for years before leaving her job to pursue writing full-time at 40. She believes the series sheds light on the realities of polygamy in society, moving away from stereotypes about African culture and showing the diversity among affluent black Africans.