The new Showmax is officially here, bringing with it more local content to watch on a streaming platform than ever before. The platform has earned its esteemed TV accolade having the best diverse lineup of any service out there.
From having two local bestsellers Angela Makholwa’s serial killer thriller Red Ink, and international co-production Catch Me A Killer, based on the memoir of Micki Pistorius, South Africa’s first serial killer profiler, to Tshedza Pictures first teen drama Youngins, not forgetting another teen drama Wyfie. Reality TV fans will be spoilt for choice, with the new reality series Widows Unveiled, and brand new seasons of the fan favourite reality series The Real Housewives of Durban and The Mommy Club.
In addition to local show, there’s Showmax Originals from Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya, a revamped international content slate, and the continent’s first standalone Premier League mobile streaming plan. There’s plenty of excellent content to choose from. Here’s our list of the best shows on Showmax to help you get started:
Catch Me A Killer S1 | Stream now, with new episodes on Wednesdays
After Spinners made history as the first African series at Canneseries last year, Catch Me A Killer has just been named the first South African series to crack the equally prestigious SeriesMania, who call the show, “A female Mindhunter in the guise of a wonderfully-produced true-crime series.”
Charlotte Hope, who played Myranda in Game of Thrones and headlined Starz’s The Spanish Princess as Catherine of Aragon, stars in Catch Me a Killer as Micki Pistorius, South Africa’s first-ever serial-killer profiler.
Adapted from Pistorius’ memoir, the true crime series traces Pistorius’ quest, as a newly-qualified forensic psychologist in the 90s, to track down South Africa’s most feared killers. Each episode looks at another of her cases, from the Station Strangler to the Cleveland Killer to Stewart ‘Boetie Boer’ Wilken.
A co-production between Showmax and Germany’s Night Train Media, Catch Me A Killer’s directors include SAFTA winners Rene van Rooyen (Oscar entry Toorbos, Alles Malan, Summertide) and Brett Michael-Innes (Fiela Se Kind), as well as Tracey Larcombe (Silent Witness), while writers include SAFTA winner Amy Jephta (Oscar entry Barakat, Devil’s Peak, Showmax Original Skemerdans), Sarah Hooper (Shameless), Jessica Ruston (Harlots) and Oliver Frampton (Sister Boniface Mysteries).
Apart from Steven Ward (One Piece) and newcomer Donna Cormack-Thomson as series regulars, the supporting cast changes each episode. Look out for guest appearances from the likes of Lemogang Tsipa (Shaka iLembe), Waldemar Schultz (Die Byl), Ivan Zimmermann (Alles Malan), and Frank Rautenbach (Lioness, Summertide), not to mention Silwerskerm winner Carel Nel (Gaia), and SAFTA winner Louw Venter (Swartwater). SAFTA nominees Albert Pretorius (Spinners) and Sean Cameron Michael (Fried Barry) play Stewart ‘Boetie Boer’ Wilken and FBI profiler Robert Ressler respectively.
In his four-star review in Rapport, Leon van Nierop writes, “Showmax hits the jackpot again with a dark, creepy but highly realistic adaptation of Micki Pistorius’s Catch Me a Killer… It’s one of the best true crime series ever.”
Red Ink S1| Stream now, with new episodes on Tuesdays
Author Angela Makholwa-Moabelo exec produces and co-writes the Showmax Original adaptation of her bestselling debut novel Red Ink. The eight-part thriller tells the story of a journalist turned publicist, Lucy Khambule, who is approached by an imprisoned serial killer to tell his story.
SAFTA nominee Nqobile Nunu Khumalo (Nqobile, The Herd) plays Lucy, with SAFTA winner Bonko Khoza (Mqhele in The Wife) as Napoleon Dingiswayo, nicknamed The Butcher of Soweto by the media. Red Ink is a partnership between Makholwa’s Britespark Films and Bomb Productions. This marks the first Showmax Original from Bomb, who made DStv’s most-watched drama ever, Shaka ILembe, as well as classics like Venice winner Yizo Yizo, Oscar nominee Mandela, Sundance winner Amandla: A Revolution In Four-Part Harmony and SAFTA winners like Isibaya.
Red Ink reunites Khoza on screen with two of the other Zulu brothers from The Wife: DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice winners Kwenzo Ngcobo (Qhawe) and Abdul Khoza (Nqoba). The all-star cast also includes Outlaws’ breakout star Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku, SAFTA winners Lorcia Cooper (Lockdown), Bongile Mantsai (Inxeba: The Wound), and Jo-Anne Reyneke (Black Tax), and the likes of Tsholofelo Maseko (Intersexions).
Youngins S1 | Stream now, with three episodes every Thursday
Off the back of creating two successful Showmax Originals in 2023 (Adulting S1-S2 and Outlaws), Tshedza Pictures has just launched its third Showmax Original and first teen drama, Youngins.
Ayakha Ntunja (Thembi on MTV Shuga S3), Kealeboga Masango (Zinhle on Rhythm City), Toka Mtabane (young Tau on Five Fingers for Marseilles), Thabiso Ramotshela (Morena on The River) and newcomer Lebohang Lephatsoana lead the young cast. Also look out for the likes of SAFTA winner Loyiso MacDonald (Kagiso on The Queen) as Principal Mthembu, DStv Mzansi Viewers Choice Award winner Sanna Mchunu (Zodwa on Gomora) as Matron Lulu, and Keneilwe Matidze (Petronella on Reyka) as Pearl “Miss SA” Buthelezi.
Thembi Mfebe (Adulting, Miseducation) is directing.
Wyfie S1 | Stream now, with two episodes every Tuesday
From multi-award-winners Homebrew Films (Trompoppie), Wyfie follows four mismatched first-year roommates at Pantera res at the fictional Eike university.
With SAFTA winner Johan Cronje (Wonderlus, Nêrens, Noord-Kaap) as showrunner, the drama series stars Beata Bena Green (Arendsvlei, Die Spreeus) as Shay, Celeste Loots (One Piece, Trompoppie) as Amanda, Kristen Raath (7de Laan) as Kyla and Mienke Ehlers (Dinge van ‘n Kind) as Mia, opposite the likes of Marguerite van Eeden (Vaselinetjie), Elzet Nel (Trompoppie), Adrian Steyn (Die Onderonsie, Matilda en Matthys), and Chelsea Thomas (Amber in Spinners).
Listen out for the haunting soundtrack from Peach van Pletzen, including the last recorded song from the hugely talented Angie Oeh, who tragically passed away from cancer in August 2023, aged just 24.
Widows Unveiled S1 | Stream now with new episodes on Mondays
Widows Unveiled follows five widows who were married to public figures. The reality series documents the journeys of each woman from pain to triumph as they navigate the drama and scandals that followed the deaths of their husbands.
The cast includes PR specialist and marketing professional Lerato Sengadi, the widow of Motswako legend HHP; businesswoman Mpho Tshabalala, the widow of kwaito legend Mandoza; businesswoman Sikelelwa Ngubane, the widow of SAFTA-winning actor Menzi Ngubane; businesswoman Fundiswa Molefe, the widow of businessman John Molefe; and businesswoman Lerato Maphatsoe, the widow of former Defence Minister Kebby Maphatsoe.
Widows Unveiled is produced by Passionlane Productions, the brains behind Mzansi’ Magic’s SAFTA-nominated hit show Uthando Nes’thembu.
The Real Housewives of Durban S4 | Stream now, with new episodes on Wednesdays
The Real Housewives of Durban follows the lives of affluent housewives and professional women in the exclusive suburbs of Durban.
Season 4 of The Real Housewives of Durban includes two new Housewives who are both no stranger to the spotlight- fashion television host Zama Ngcobo, Ameigh Thompson and Angel Ndlela – who will fit right in with the OGs from the first season, Sorisha Naidoo and Nonku Williams, and returning cast members Slee Ndlovu, Jojo Robinson and Maria Valaskatzis.
Sam Kelly, executive producer at Let It Rain Films, says, “The new season of The Real Housewives of Durban is going to be bigger and better. We have the OGs you have come to know and love and we have three new women who are going to bring something different to the franchise. Over the past seasons, we have been aiming to tell stories that audiences relate to. The essence of the show is real and that is why viewers fall in love with these women, because they can see themselves in their personal stories, journeys, triumphs and struggles.”
Intlawulo | Showmax film | Stream now
The debut feature from SAFTA winner Thandokazi Msumza (DiepCity, The Wife), Intlawulo follows Bucks, who falls in love with his dead best friend’s sister while trying to make amends to her family.
Khojane Morai (Umbuso, Abomkhulu) and Kealeboga Masango (Rhythm City( co-star, with Momelezi Ntshiba (Silent Witness, An Act of Defiance) as the dead boy’s father, a pastor who invites Bucks to join his church’s choir. The likes of Phumzile Mlangeni (Lingashoni, Skeem Saam) and SAFTA nominee Thembekile Komani (Knuckle City, Blood Psalms) are also in the cast.
Intlawulo is produced by The Milton Empire (Mzali Wam).
Forever Yena | Showmax Film | Stream Now
In Forever Yena, social media “it” couple Penny and Kwanda accidentally live stream their relationship meltdown just days before Valentine’s Day. Can they get back “perfect umjolo” in time to save each other, their fans’ belief in love, and a lucrative brand deal with a dating app?
Thandi Make (Gomora, The Queen) and Aluve Mjali (How to Manifest A Man) co-star as Penny and Kwanda, opposite the likes of Sikelelwa Vuyeleni (Adulting, 1802 Love Defies Time), Simphiwe Ngema (The Queen, Rockville), Miss SA finalist Luyanda Zuma and multi-award winner Refilwe Modiselle (White Gold).
MultiChoice Talent Factory alumnus Charlie Sampson (Uzobuya) directs the Showmax Original romcom, which is produced by MECA and Warchild.
Matilda en Matthys | Showmax Film | Stream now
In Matilda en Matthys, an ambitious young writer and a super-rational tech entrepreneur go on a series of fake dates as research for their novel and their dating app algorithm respectively. But even the smartest people can’t outsmart love.
Matilda en Matthys stars Emma van Heyn (Twintig Tone In ‘n Hangkas, Troukoors) and Adrian Steyn (Die Onderonsie, Wyfie) in the title roles, opposite the likes of Bertha le Roux-Wahl (7de Laan), Pietie Beyers (Die Onderonsie) and comedian Mojak Lehoko.
The romcom is the debut film from writer-director Bibi Slippers (a published poet and SAFTA-nominated screenwriter for Hotel). Industry legend Danie Bester is producing through Film Factory. Bester has produced 35 films in the last 15 years, including the box office smash hit Pad na Jou Hart, the SAFTA Best Film winner Fiela Se Kind, and South African Oscar entry Toorbos.
Halo S2 | Stream Now
Based on one of the highest-grossing gaming franchises of all time and exec produced by triple-Oscar winner Steven Spielberg, Halo is set amid an epic 26th-century conflict between humanity and an alien threat known as the Covenant.
Emmy nominee Pablo Schreiber (American Gods, Orange is the New Black) stars as cybernetically enhanced super-soldier Master Chief John-117. In Season 2, John will risk everything to prove what no one else will believe – that the Covenant are preparing to attack humanity’s greatest stronghold. With the galaxy on the brink, John embarks on a journey to find the key to humankind’s salvation, or its extinction — the Halo.
People’s Choice winner Joseph Morgan (The Originals, Vampire Diaries) joins the cast this season, while Natascha McElhone (Californication) returns, having been nominated for a Women’s Image Network Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series as Dr. Halsey.
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Also check out these Nigerian Originals – the new drama series Cheta M, the docu-series Freemen, and Season 2 of the drama series Flawsome . The Mommy Club Season 2 premieres 19 February 2024.
There’s plenty of international shows like Ted S1, Bupkis S1, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, and Found.
