South Africa has been producing some of the most gripping and globally acclaimed television shows, spanning across various genres and platforms, cementing its place as home to some of the must watch local shows right now. From the high octane drama of Spinners to the thrilling humour of Bad Influencer, and the enthralling ‘whodunnit’ storyline of White Lies. Dive into the dark underbelly of teenage life Youngins and explore the intricate drama of Outlaws.
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 must watch local shows in South Africa, guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.
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 theShowmax 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. Spinners S2 is coming in 2026 to both CANAL+ and MultiChoice’s (Showmax and DStv) platforms.
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. 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. The M-Net series is the most-nominated drama series at this year’s SAFTAs. Quizzical Pictures’ crime drama is up for nine SAFTAs, including Best TV Drama, Directing (Catherine Cooke and Rea Rangaka), and Actress (Kim Engelbrecht).
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. White Lies is up for 8 SAFTA nominations including Best TV Drama and Best Achievement in Directing.
Dive into high-stakes thrills in The Nowhere Man
In this gripping new thriller set in Johannesburg, Lukas, a former mercenary and elite Special Forces operative, is trying to leave his violent past behind until unexpected circumstances pull him back in. Haunted by PTSD, he witnesses a home invasion and can’t help but intervene, drawing him into a high-stakes, high-octane world. Now living as a waste picker, Lukas salvages scraps at the homeless shelter where he resides, crafting and selling metal statues to help others while quietly wrestling with the violence he longs to escape. The series stars Bonko Khoza alongside Power star and three-time NAACP Award winner Naturi Naughton, Dineo Rasedile, Hlomla Dandala, and more.
Enjoy a story of two families at war in Outlaws
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. Season won 7 SAFTAs in 2024, including Best Telenovela, Best Achievement in Directing and Best Achievement in Scriptwriting. Starring SAFTA winner Thembinkosi Mthembu, Keketso Mpitso, Lehlohonolo Mayeza, Slindile Nodangala, Seipati Mahamu and Mmabatho Mogomotsi. Season 2 introduces Noluthando Ngema as the new Sihle, along side new cast Mamodibe Ramodibe as Buang and Thandolwethu Zondi as Mthunzi. Outlaws S2 is now streaming on Showmax, with new episodes every Monday. It’s also airing on Saturdays at 8PM on Mzansi Magic.
Add Catch Me A Killer in your must watch local shows list for thrills
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. Catch Me A Killer is up for 7 SAFTA nominations including Best TV Drama, Best Directing and Best Supporting Actor triple nominations for AJ Cullinan, Jabulani Mthembu and Kagiso Kuypers.
Red Ink remains Mzansi’s must watch local shows
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 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. Red Ink is up for Best Scriptwriting nomination at this year’s SAFTAs.
Explore the making of an iconic African king in Shaka iLembe
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. Filming has concluded on the third and final season of the epic series, set to premiere in 2026.
Add Bad Influencer to your must watch local shows
Bad Influencer is a standout show from Netflix that came out in 2025. The series follows BK (Jo-Anne Reyneke), a street-smart single mom doing whatever it takes for her son, and Pinky (Cindy Mahlangu), a chaotic rising influencer. Thrown together by fate, the two form an unlikely partnership that pulls them deep into Jo’burg’s counterfeit luxury underworld. As fame and fraud blur, they hustle on a knife-edge where every like, lie, and luxury bag has consequences. This series, produced by Gambit Films and developed by Lincoln Green Media, the 7-part series reached #1 on the Netflix Top 10 in South Africa and reaching the #3 spot on the global Netflix Top 10 english shows. The stacked ensemble includes scene-stealer Vincent Mahlape (Alex), Hamilton Dlamini, Thapelo Mokoena, Zozibini Tunzi in her first major acting role, Emmanuel Castis, Nat Ramabulana, Julia Anastasopoulos, Aubrey Poo, Lerato Nxumalo, and more. With appearances from stars like Mihlali Ndamase, Sarah Langa and Mohale Motaung.
Explore the dark underbelly of teenage life, where scandal and tragedy collide in Youngins
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. Youngins is up for six nominations at this year’s SAFTAs including Best Telenovela and Best Directing (Thembalethu Mfebe).
Adulting ain’t easy on the new season of the hit 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.
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.
Imagine brave new worlds of animation in Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire
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.
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.
Delve into the tale of Sokhulu’s struggles in Isitha: The Enemy
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.
Dive into the the twisty and twisted 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.
Watch 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.
Delve into this story of the corrupting nature of greed in My Brother’s Keeper
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.
Discover deep secrets in one of the must watch local shows Donkerbos
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.
Delve into the story of a woman who has to lose everything in order to find herself in Koek
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.
And there you have it: the top 20 must watch local shows in Mzansi. Stay tuned for updates to come so you can keep up with the most binge-worthy South African shows.
