Malay crime thriller Operandi Gerhana breaks new ground as Mediacorp’s first title to premiere simultaneously on Netflix and mewatch
The drama series will premiere on both streaming platforms simultaneously on 25 September.
Singapore, 20 September 2023 – Singapore’s largest content creator Mediacorp and international over-the-top streaming service Netflix have partnered to premiere the Malay crime-themed drama Operandi Gerhana (Phantom Squad) on both companies’ respective streaming platforms simultaneously on 25 September. This collaboration marks the first Mediacorp title to simulcast to Netflix viewers in Southeast Asia alongside Mediacorp’s mewatch prime subscribers.
Operandi Gerhana, written and directed by Infinite Studios’ creative showrunner and director Mike Wiluan, underscores Mediacorp’s commitment to creating quality content that appeals to audiences both in Singapore and beyond. Produced by integrated media entertainment and creative services company Infinite Studios, the drama is inspired by true events and tells the story of Omar and Yusof, two police constables assigned to investigate the kidnapping of one of their own senior officers in gangland crime-ridden Singapore in 1955. The duo received intel on a mysterious gang vying for dominance in the triad wars, and put together an unconventional motley crew of constables who must work undercover to solve the case.
Viewers can look forward to a stellar cast hailing from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia comprising artistes such as Fir Rahman, Kamal Adli, Jamie Aditya, Carmen Soo, Cassandra Spykerman and Michael Wahr. Shot in Batam, Indonesia, Operandi Gerhana is Infinite Studios’ first commissioned drama produced for Mediacorp, and originated from a concept pitched at the inaugural Creatives Assembly in 2021, Mediacorp’s annual call for ideas exercise to seek the best concepts for commissioning across languages and platforms.
Mike Wiluan, Chief Executive Officer of Infinite Studios, and writer and director of Operandi Gerhana, said, "The collaboration with Mediacorp on Operandi Gerhana has been a truly rewarding experience. Mediacorp took bold steps to select a unique genre and embraced the creative process wholeheartedly. As a writer and director, I am grateful to be given the creative freedoms to express a stylistic portrayal of a dark era in Singapore's unique history that has not often been explored. I am excited that the story will simulcast on mewatch and Netflix, and hope that audiences both in Singapore and abroad will enjoy the world of Operandi Gerhana."
Sabanitha Shanmugasundram, Head of Commissioning, Commercial and Community Engagement, Mediacorp, said, “We are thrilled to have worked with Mike and his team at Infinite Studios on Operandi Gerhana, bringing to life a winning concept pitched at our Creatives Assembly in 2021. Having a drama premiere simultaneously on Netflix and mewatch for the first time is a feather in the cap for everyone involved in the production. It stands as a fitting testimony to Mediacorp’s efforts to engage audiences both at home and abroad with fresh, innovative content across languages and platforms. We hope viewers make a date with Operandi Gerhana and enjoy the show!”
Operandi Gerhana will premiere on mewatch, for prime subscribers, and Netflix, starting 25 September. The series will also be available for free for mewatch viewers in Singapore, and on Suria every Monday to Thursday, 10.30pm – 11.30pm, starting 2 October.
