South Africa has been producing some of the most gripping and globally acclaimed television shows, spanning across various genres and platforms. From the gripping narrative of Red Ink to the suspenseful mystery of Blood and Water, and the enthralling ‘whodunnit’ storyline of White Lies. Dive into the riveting world of Umkhokha The Empire and explore the intricate drama of Isitha.
These shows have kept viewers glued to their screens and social media streets abuzz. Whether you’re into drama, comedy, crime thrillers or whatever else, there are TV series to binge watch for everyone.
Here’s our roundup of the 20 best local shows to watch in South Africa right now, guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Red Ink S1 | Stream now on Showmax: new episodes on Tuesdays
Delve into the world of darkness and intrigue with Red Ink.
Lucy, a PR consultant, agrees to write a book about a convicted serial killer, she’s thrust into a world of violence and dark secrets, uncovering a criminal conspiracy that puts her and her family’s lives at risk.
Following the success of The Wife, Showmax has premiered yet another series based on Angela Makholwa’s bestseller.
Showmax has already scored a success with The Wife series; now, the streamer adds another gripping crime series adapted from a bestselling novel to its lineup. Starring SAFTA nominee Nqobile Nunu Khumalo, SAFTA winners Bonko Khoza, Lorcia Cooper, Bongile Mantsai and Abdul Khoza. The star-studded cast also includes DStv MVCA winner Kwenzo Ngcobo, Tsholofelo Maseko, and Yonda Thomas.
Reyka S2 | Binge now on DStv Catch Up
Unravel new string of chilling murder mysteries in the new season of Reyka.
Kim Engelbrecht and Iain Glen reprise their roles as Reyka Gama and Angus Speelman for the second season of Reyka, with the action taking place against the backdrop of the Durban Harbour, the largest port in Africa.
Following its two International Emmy Award nominations, and four South African Film and Television Awards wins, Reyka S2 continued to enthral viewers with it’s riveting storyline. Read more about the reasons Reyka S2 is a must-watch »
Starring Kim Engelbrecht, Iain Glen, Nokuthula Ledwaba, Samkelo Ndlovu, Pallance Dladla, Frank Rautenbach, and Lemogang Tsipa. Other new faces include legendary thespian Sello Maake Ka Ncube, Joey Rasdien, Zane Meas, Tamara Skye, Kira Wilkinson, Wayne van Rooyen, Deon Lotz, Trudy van Rooy, and Nicky Rebelo.
Spinners S1 | Binge now on Showmax
Buckle up for a wild ride and the high-octane drama in Spinners.
Ethan is a 17-year-old driver working for a local gang. Disgusted with gang life, Ethan discovers a possible way out via spinning, an extreme motorsport. But the looming gang war jeopardises that hope.
Spinners is the first African series ever selected in competition at Canneseries. Leading international film trade Deadline featured the Showmax Original in their Global Breakouts section, where they “shine a spotlight on the TV shows and films killing it in their local territories.”
The cast includes Cantona James and Chelsea Thomas in leading roles, along with Dillon Windvogel and Brendon Daniels.
Umkhokha: The Curse S1 | Weekdays on Mzansi Magic
Step into the world of feuding families and dark secrets in Umkhokha: The Curse.
Umkhokha: The Curse revolves around the battle between the Mthembu and Gumede/Mzobe families for leadership of one of the biggest churches in KwaZulu-Natal, the Ithempile Lenkosi.
Umkhokha: The Curse is currently the most watched show on DStv and has hit a 1 million mark twice since its debut in March 2023. Starring Deli Malinga, Nay Maps, Sibonile Ngubane, Gcinile Nkosi, Nay Maps, Linda Sokhulu, Hope Mbhele, Kwezi Ndlovu and Sthandiwe Kgoroge.
Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire | Stream on Disney Plus
This action-packed animated sci-fi anthology presents ten futuristic visions from Africa imagining brave new worlds of advanced technology, aliens, spirits, and monsters.
Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire has a rare 100% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with Colossal writing, “This visually spellbinding series, bursting with hope, optimism and pride, is one of the best animated shows of the last decade.” The ground-breaking Disney+ original series just clinched the honours for Best Animated Feature at the prestigious 51st Annual Annie Awards. Starring Lelethu Zulu, Nomsa Winnie Koro, and Khanyiswa Joyi.
Blood and Water S4 | Stream now on Netflix
Time for some senior year scares in the fourth season of Blood and Water.
Puleng and Fiks try to move on during their senior year, but the past pits them against each other when they discover that they’re still being targeted.
Blood and Water S4 is currently number 1 on Netflix in South Africa since its premiere. The series climbed chart across many countries in its first few season, including the U.S, the U.K. and France. Starring Ama Qamata, Khosi Ngema, Thabang Molaba, Dillon Windvogel, Thapelo Mokoena, Gail Mabalane, Sello Maake Ka-Ncube, Sonia Mbele, Patrick Mofokeng, Arno Greeff, Leroy Siyafa, Mpho Sibeko.
Catch Me A Killer S1 | Stream now on Showmax
Step into the true crime thrills and the twisted world of South Africa’s first serial killer profiler in Catch Me A Killer.
Based on the book of the same name, Catch Me A Killer tells the harrowing story of former journalist-turned-psychologist Micki Pistorius – South Africa’s first serial killer profiler.
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.” Starring Charlotte Hope, Steven Ward, Donna Cormack-Thomson, Lemogang Tsipa, Waldemar Schultz, Ivan Zimmermann, and Frank Rautenbach, not to mention Silwerskerm winner Carel Nel, and SAFTA winner Louw Venter. SAFTA nominees Albert Pretorius and Sean Cameron Michael.
Youngins S1 | Stream now on Showmax
Explore the dark underbelly of teenage life, where scandal and tragedy collide.
A hard-hitting teen telenovela set at a boarding school in Johannesburg. When a teen flees from a family tragedy in rural KwaZulu-Natal to a boarding school in Jozi, she finds herself entangled in a scandal of epic proportions.
This youth-driven drama captivates with its heartfelt performances, relevant themes, and exploration of complex youth dynamics. Its unpredictability keeps viewers engaged as it delves into the natural struggles of its characters. Starring Ayakha Ntunja, Kealeboga Masango, Lebohang Lephatsoana, Loyiso Macdonald, Sannah Mchunu, Toka Matabane, Thabiso Ramotshela and Tabile Tau.
Isitha: The Enemy | Weekdays on etv
Delve into the tale of Sokhulu’s struggles.
A raging sibling rivalry emerges between the Sokhulu brothers when Chuma returns home to find his brother now filling his shoes, but their real enemy is patiently waiting in the wings to stage a hostile takeover.
The show reached a monumental 3 million viewers milestone in October 2023. Starring Zamani Mbatha, Thobani Nzuza, Dawn Thandeka King, Linda Sebezo and more.
Shaka iLembe S1 | Binge now on DStv CatchUp
Journey back in time to the 1700s and explore the making of an iconic African king.
The drama series delivered outstanding ratings for DStv last year, reaching 3.6 million viewers in its first week – best ever performance for a MultiChoice drama in its history.
The two key actors playing Shaka are the incredibly talented Lemogang Tsipa as adult king and newcomer Ntando Zondi as young Shaka. Nomzamo Mbatha plays Queen Nandi the revered mother of Shaka, with Thembinkosi Mthembu starring as King Dingiswayo and Wiseman Mncube in the role of King Zwide. Key cast also includes Khabonina Qubeka, Ntando Zondi, Senzo Radebe and Dawn Thandeka King, Calvin Ratladi, Ziya Xulu, Don Mlangeni, Ayanda Borotho, Abdul Khoza and Sibonile Ngubane.
Adulting S2 | Binge now on Showmax
Adulting ain’t easy on the new season of this fan-favourite drama series.
Follows four varsity friends, whose strong bond has held them together even as their journeys in life have taken them in very different directions as they try to find love and success in Johannesburg after university.
Adulting’s first season set a record for the most first-day views on Showmax of any drama series. The 18+ rated series gives a fresh take on bromance. Starring Thembinkosi Mthembu, Nhlanhla Kunene, Luthando BU Mthembu, Thabiso Rammusi, Nandi Nyembe, Londeka Sishi, Lungile Duma. Read more on Thembinkosi Mthembu as he opens up about Adulting as S2.
DAM| Binge now on Showmax
Dive into the the twisty and twisted Showmax Original psychological thriller DAM.
Season 2 is set three months after the Spring Festival. The cult’s ritual sacrifice seems to have worked: rain has come and transformed the land. Yola has no memory of anything since her return for her father’s funeral. Can she put the missing pieces together as diamonds are discovered, a mass grave uncovered and a monster surfaces in the dam?
DAM was one of the 10 most-watched titles of 2021 on Showmax and the most nominated drama series at the 2022 SAFTAs, earning rave reviews for breaking the mould of South African TV. Leading international film trade Deadline just featured the Showmax Original psychological thriller DAM in their Global Breakouts section, where they “shine a spotlight on the TV shows and films killing it.” Starring Lea Vivier and Pallance Dladla, alongside Natasha Loring, Antoinette Louw, Faniswa Yisa, Tembisa Mdoda-Nxumalo, Neil Sandilands and more.
White Lies | Thursdays on M-Net
Discover the truth behind White Lies.
Set in the wealthy neighbourhood of Bishopscourt, Cape Town, investigative journalist Edie Hansen (Natalie Dormer) gets caught up in the ugly underbelly that lies beneath the picturesque beauty of the city, dragging her back to a turbulent past. Led by Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games star Natalie Dormer, SAFTA winner Brendon Daniels, Daniel Schultz, and Daniel Janks.
House of Zwide | Weekdays on etv
When Ona, a young talented township girl who dreams of being a fashion designer lands an internship at the famous House of Zwide, she believes it will change her life forever.
House of Zwide made television history on the 23rd of October with a record-breaking 5.1 million viewers, surpassing Skeem Saam and Generations: The Legacy. Starring Winnie Ntshaba, Nefisa Mkhabela, Vusi Kunene and Londeka Mchunu.
My Brothers Keeper | Weekdays on Mzansi Magic
Delve into this story of the corrupting nature of greed.
My Brother’s Keeper is a tale of a family thrown into a deadly succession battle of its own making, as Nqubeko, a headstrong and overambitious son of a mistress breaks the rules of ‘ukungena’ by going after his brother’s widow, Fakazile.
My Brother’s Keeper debuts in DStv‘s Top 5. Starring Wiseman Mncube; Zola Nombona; S’dumo Mtshali; Lindani Nkosi; Nelisa Mchunu; Vuyiseka Cawe; Hlengiwe Lushaba-Madlala; Nkanyiso Mchunu; Sparky Xulu; Raphael Griffiths; Nthabiseng Kgosana and Rosemary Zimu.
Donkerbos| Binge now on Showmax
Discover some chilling secrets in this twisty crime drama that’s already being called a “masterpiece”.
When the bodies of six children are found in the backwater forests of Donkerbos, a troubled detective must wrestle with her dark past and a distrustful community to catch the killer before another child disappears. Donkerbos became the only African series selected for Berlinale Series Market Selects 2023 – described as being for “curated series with high market potential.” Starring SAFTA Lifetime Achievement Award winner Thoko Ntshinga, Fleur du Cap winners Sanda Shandu and Nicole Holm, Silwerskerm winners Stian Bam, Jacques Bessenger and Aphiwe Sithole and multi-award-winners Leandie Du Randt and Wilhelm van der Walt with breakout performances by newcomers Steph van der Merwe and Marko Vorster.
Outlaws | Binge now on Showmax
Enjoy a story of two families at war: the Zulu, cattle-farming Biyelas and the Basotho, cattle-raiding Ts’eoles.
Set in the lush but lawless land on the border between Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal, Outlaws is the story of two families at war with each other: the Zulu, cattle-farming Biyela clan and the Basotho, cattle-raiding Tseoles.
Outlaws became South Africa’s first contemporary Western series created by iEmmy-nominated Tshedza Pictures. Starring Thembinkosi Mthembu, SAFTA winner Nolwazi Shange-Ngubeni, Siyabonga Shibe, Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku, and Lehlohonolo Mayeza.
Smoke and Mirrors | Weekdays on etv
The series is set in a small mining town called Emnyameni, where a female vigilante takes on the task of ridding the town of evildoers.
Smoke & Mirrors reached the 3 million milestone mark in October 2023, joining in its fellow sibling footsteps Isitha The Enemy. Starring Meshack Mavuso, Charmaine Mtinta, Lusanda Mbane, Zinhle Mabena and Kabomo Vilakazi.
Koek | Stream now on Showmax
Delve into the story of a woman who has to lose everything in order to find herself.
A despondent housewife, convinced her husband is having an affair, hires a private investigator to scare the woman off and is inadvertently thrust into the underbelly of a crime syndicate.
Starring SAFTA and Silwerskerm winner Cindy Swanepoel. The stacked cast includes screen legends Sandra Prinsloo and Dawid Minnaar as villains for a change.
In Your Dreams | Stream now on Prime Video
Best friends Lloyd and Marcus accidentally awaken an ancient spirit when encountering a childhood friend, who is now an antiquities dealer.
Starring Didintle Khunou, Kiroshan Naidoo, Jesse Suntele and Anthony Oseyemi.
And there you have it: the top 20 best TV shows to watch right now in Mzansi. Stay tuned for updates to come so you can keep up with the most binge-worthy South African shows. Look out for 10 must-watch local movies in South Africa soon.
