From The Wife to DiepCity and The River, TV Mzansi has rounded up all the shows that have either come to the end of its run or been cancelled in 2023.
It’s never easy to say goodbye to cherished TV characters, and when a favourite television show finishes or is cancelled, it can be difficult to come to peace knowing that it’s coming to an end. Whether a show gets cancelled or ends on its own accord. Below are the shows set to air their final episodes in 2023 or have had their finale most recently:
The Wife ended with an explosive finale
After three successful seasons, the multi-award-winning, record-breaking Showmax Original telenovela has ended its run as it started almost two years ago. As Hlomu the wife, Mbalenhle Mavimbela has been hailed as “the national wife” for her breakthrough performance opposite first Bonko Khoza who bagged his first SAFTA for playing Mqhele in season 1 and season 2 then Wiseman Mncube portrayed the role in season 3.
Season 1 gave us Mqhele and Hlomu, who became Mzansi’s most loved couple in a story inspired by the novel Hlomu the Wife, a bestseller by Dudu Busani-Dube. Hlomu is an investigative journalist who also fell in love with a taxi driver, Mqhele, not realising that when you marry a man, you marry his secrets. Season 2 also set our screens alight with Nkosana (played by Mondli Makhoba) and Zandile (played by Khanyi Mbau) and gave us a love story and an in-depth history of the matriarch of the Zulu family, the glue who held the Zulu brothers together. In Season 2, Zandile came back from jail to reclaim her position, a role that Hlomu had taken over in her absence. In the 3rd and final season, Naledi and Qhawe became the two star-crossed lovers who met under unusual circumstances and fell in love. Like Hlomu and Zandile, Naledi came to understand what it’s like to love one of the Zulu brothers. In Season 3 we also got to see Sambulo (played by Sipho Eric Ndlovu) and Xoli begin their relationship, with Xoli becoming the wildcard.
Kwenzo Ngcobo became South Africa’s favourite leading man, dubbed “the Woolworths of amadoda” by fans, the KZN-born actor won the DStv Mzansi Viewers Choice Award as Favourite Rising Star in 2022 and also won The People’s Choice Award at the GQ Men Of The Year Awards. He played the character of Qhawe, opposite rising star Gaisang K. Noge.
Abdul Khoza won Best Supporting Actor at the 2022 SAFTAs for the role of Nqoba, that being his second SAFTA win to date while his on-screen partner Zikhona Sodlaka earned DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Award and SAFTA nominations that same year for her fan-favourite role as Mandisa.
You can relive the moments from this Showmax’s most popular series ever by binge-watching all three seasons of The Wife on Showmax. In addition, watch The Wife: Behind The Veil, an 8-part special that takes you behind the scenes on the hit telenovela.
The River will bow out on a high after season 6
Soon, we will be saying goodbye to the beloved citizens of Refilwe, as 1Magic’s multi-award series The River comes to an end with its sixth season. 1Magic’s flagship show which was launched with the channel in 2018, made its impact beyond our borders; being adapted in several other African countries, including Nigeria and Angola.
With several impressive milestones – from clean sweeps at prestigious awards shows to over 1200 episodes aired – the Tshedza Pictures telenovela has been a game-changer in South African television. The show has scooped 26 SAFTAs out of 31 nominations, and with one 47th International Emmy Award nomination to its name, it still remains the most-awarded telenovela in South Africa.
Hlomla Dandala held the fort as the male protagonist, while Sindi Dlathu became the ultimate leading star, winning two SAFTAs for Best Actress and becoming series co-executive producer. The award-winning production house’s other credits include the newly premiered Gqeberha: The Empire (Mzansi Magic), the first telenovela filmed in the Eastern Cape; The Republic (Mzansi Magic); Legacy (M-Net); Adulting (Showmax Original) and the upcoming Outlaws (Showmax Original).
Set in the colourful mining town of Refilwe, the acclaimed telenovela’s sixth season is currently airing on 1Magic weekdays at 20:00, express to Showmax. The River will conclude early in 2024.
Mzansi Magic bids farewell to one of the most watched and popular Telenovela: Gomora
After gripping viewers with compelling and emotionally resonant plots, M-Net announced that it will bid farewell to its beloved telenovela – Mzansi Magic’s Gomora. The series reaches its conclusion in October 2023 as M-Net strives to keep abreast of changing consumer viewership preferences.
The show, which broke viewership records just a month after it premiered on the channel almost three years ago, will air its final season to conclude its storylines – with Gomora season 4 premiering on 24 April at 19:30 and its final episode on 20 October 2023. Seriti Films’ Gomora (whose other acclaimed Mzansi Magic shows include The Herd and The Imposter) has comfortably occupied a primetime weekday slot on Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161) since its premiere in March 2020.
At the 2023 Royalty Soapie Awards, Katlego Danke was named Outstanding Lead Actress, Connie Chiume took home the Lifetime Achievement Award and Gomora picked up additional awards for Outstanding Casting and Editing. The show introduced us to new talent like award-winning Sicelo Buthelezi, Ntobeko Sishi, Siphesihle Ndaba and Ama Qamata when it premiered at the top of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020. It also revitalised the careers of screen veterans such as Zolisa Xaluva, Thembi Seete and Sannah Mchunu.
Catch the final season of Gomora on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) on weekdays at 19:30, with the final episode set to air in October.
Diep City ended with a trimpath finale
Mzansi Magic has recently bid farewell to the riveting award-winning telenovela, DiepCity. The series concluded the second season on 3 March 2023, ending the show on a triumphant 240-episode run.
As Mzansi Magic continues to keep up with the ever-evolving tastes and viewing patterns of audiences, the channel and business will maintain a working relationship with Black Brain Pictures, the production house behind DiepCity. Other past collaborations with the company include the acclaimed dramas Vula Vala and Lockdown.
Acclaimed by audiences and described by critics as heartbreaking, irreverent, and riveting, the expansive DiepCity is set in the Johannesburg township of Diepsloot. It follows the lives of residents as they walk the line between poverty and prosperity, legality and crime, and the impact the decisions they make have on them and their loved ones.
Its cast includes both celebrated names and up-and-comers: Mduduzi Mabaso, Dawn Thandeka King, Nozuko Ncayiyane, Nompumelelo Vilakazi, Hamilton Dhlamini, Vele Manenje, Obed Baloyi, Lebohang Mpyana, Zikhona Bali and Kgaogelo Monama are just some of the actors who have graced the show.
DiepCity was a massive winner at the 2021 Royalty Soapie Awards, taking home seven gongs including Outstanding Daily Drama, just months after its premiere. It got nominated for 10 South African Film and Television Awards last year, with the ceremony taking place next month. The series has also consistently earned praise for its stunning cinematography and incredible soundtrack.
Watch new episodes every Friday, with 10 episodes per week streaming on Showmax.
NOTE: This article will be updated throughout the year as we receive new information.
