Best local content to stream now, from legal dramas to animated kids movies
Showmax is still the best place to stream local content, according to the 2024 South African Film and Television Awards, where content on the African streamer has 118 nominations – the most by far of any streaming service.
Here are Showmax’s local highlights this September:
LAW, LOVE AND BETRAYAL | Thursdays from 5 September
Law, Love and Betrayal (LLB) follows a tough township lawyer who forces her way into a slick, family-owned firm in Sandton, where she finds that everyone has secrets, just like her.
Dineo Rasedile (The Estate, Scandal!) steps into her first lead role as Gugu Mabaso. Nimrod Nkosi (Isibaya, The Queen) and Pearl Modiadie (Rhythm City, Generations, Scandal!) co-star as the Gumedes in law firm Gumede & Associates, where a succession battle is brewing.
The 13-episode legal drama moves between Thembisa and Sandton. Created by executive producer Thandi Ramathesele (a long-time producer on 7de Laan), LLB is produced by Izwi Multimedia and directed by Nthabiseng Tau (Youngins, Outlaws) and SAFTA winners Nthabiseng Mokoena (The Wife, Gomora, Fatal Seduction) and Christo Davids (Spoorloos, Legacy, Hartklop).
Watch the trailer:
HEADSPACE | Stream from Thursday, 19 September
The most watched local film at South African cinemas last year, Headspace follows 14-year-old Norman, voiced by SAFTA winner Bonko Khoza (The Wife, Red Ink).
When a freak accident sees three nanosized aliens take up residence inside his brain, Norman discovers they need his help to save Earth from Zolthard, an intergalactic villain who is stuck in the school principal’s head.
Up for Best Animation at the 2024 SAFTAs, Headspace comes to Showmax after cinema runs in Australia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates.
The first feature film from Joburg studio Luma (Shaka Ilembe), Headspace has also been dubbed into Afrikaans and Zulu versions.
Watch the trailer:
DIE BLOEDHONDE | Stream now
Die Bloedhonde stars SAFTA nominee Elani Dekker (SA Oscar entry Toorbos) as Katrien, the black sheep of her family, who suspects a suicide at their campsite may actually be a murder.
Die Bloedhonde co-stars Waldemar Schultz (Die Byl) as the permanent camper who becomes Watson to her Sherlock, while SAFTA nominee Tobie Cronjé (Hans Steek Die Rubicon Oor) plays the dominee who is her prime suspect.
The quirky murder mystery is the feature film debut of writer-director Stiaan Smith, the SAFTA-winning co-creator of Hotel. It’s produced by Nagvlug Films, who were also behind South Africa’s Oscar entry Barakat and acclaimed series like Donkerbos and Nêrens, Noord-Kaap.
Speaking about its premiere at Silwerskerm last month, Rooi Rose managing editor Vilien-Miri Coetzee says, “It was my favourite film of the entire festival!” IOL’s Bernelee Vollmer calls it “a compelling coming-of-age mystery”; Spling “a character-driven delight”; and Rapport‘s Leon van Nierop “effortless entertainment.” As Netwerk24‘s Kelly-Lee Ohlson says, “If you love mysteries and want to be carried away on a journey to the truth, Die Bloedhonde is the perfect movie for you.”
Watch the trailer:
WYFIE S1-2 | New episodes on Tuesdays
At MIP Africa’s first Inclusive Lens awards earlier this September, Showmax won the Representation of LGBTQIA+ award for Scripted Series for Wyfie, a university telenovela from Homebrew Films (Trompoppie).
At the kykNET Silwerskerm Film and TV Awards in August 2024, Wyfie also took Best Newcomer (Mienke Ehlers as Mia) and Best Supporting Actor (Marguerite van Eeden as Wilmien) in the telenovela category, where Beáta Bena Green was also up for Best Actress.
In addition, Wyfie is up for Best International Series at The Seoul International Drama Awards on 25 September 2024, where it’s up against legendary Chinese auteur Wong Kar-Wai (In the Mood For Love, The Grandmaster) and his multi-award-winning series Blossoms Shanghai.
As the Inclusive Lens citation says, “Wyfie masterfully portrays the complexities of university life for four young women. Balancing mischief and moral dilemmas, the characters’ journeys highlight resilience and personal growth. Through its engaging narrative, Wyfie captures the essence of youthful rebellion and the journey to adulthood.”
Season 2, now also starring 2024 Naledi winner Cintaine Schutte (Fynskrif), is currently streaming on Showmax, with new episodes on Tuesdays.
Watch the S2 trailer:
Nominated for Best South African Streaming Series at the inaugural Behind The Scenes Awards in November 2024, 016FM follows two polar opposite DJs trying to save their much-loved community radio station in the Vaal from closing.
Mpho Sebeng, who tragically passed away in May 2024, stars as DJ Whiskey – his last role. Mpho has just been nominated for two 2024 Supporting Actor SAFTAs, for Miseducation and The Estate.
His co-stars include Joseph Sedibo (Empini) as DJ Tsietsi and the likes of four-time SAFTA winner Nthati Moshesh (Saints & Sinners, Isono), SAFTA winner Sophie Ndaba (Lockdown), Sello Motloung (The Wife) and YFM DJ Caddy Tsotsetsi.
016FM is executive produced by Motswako star DJ Lemonka and author Tuelo Gabonewe, as the first scripted series from their production company, 2gotomedia. Nolo Phiri (Umkhokha: The Curse, eHostela) and Percy Vilakazi (The River) are producing.
Watch the trailer:
KOEK | Binge now
When Cape Town housewife Christelle Smit discovers evidence her husband is having an affair with a stripper named Candi Floss, her investigation takes her to a world poles apart from the suburban utopia she knows.
At the kykNET Silwerskerm Film and TV Awards in August, Koek won four of its six nominations – the most of any series. Cindy Swanepoel won Best Actress as Christelle, Jacques Bessenger won Best Actor as Ryno, Sandra Prinsloo won Best Supporting Actor as Moekie, and Dawid Minnaar won Best Supporting Actor as Kat. Stian Bam and Llandi Beeslaar had also been nominated as Best Actor and Supporting Actress respectively.
Written by SAFTA- and Silwerskerm-winning showrunner Christiaan Olwagen (Kanarie, Recipes for Love & Murder), the R18 DLNSV Showmax Original is directed and filmed by SAFTA- and Silwerskerm-winning director and cinematographer Johannes Pieter Nel.
Season 1 has been one of the 10 most-streamed Afrikaans series on Showmax since its relaunch in February 2024. Wolflight Films are already at work on Season 2.
Watch the S1 trailer:
SHAKA ILEMBE S1 | Binge now
Set in the 1700s, Shaka Ilembe tells the story of the heroic rise of the iconic Zulu king, played as an adult by Lemogang Tsipa and a boy by newcomer Ntando Zondi.
At the Septimius Awards in Amsterdam in August 2024, Nomzamo Mbatha won Best African Actress as Queen Nandi in Shaka iLembe, which also won Best Costume Design for Shirley Masondo. Shaka Ilembe had also been nominated for Best Series, Best Actor (Lemogang Tsipa) and Best Makeup & Hairstyling.
At the Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards in July 2024, Shaka iLembe also won Best Actor: TV for Thembinkosi Mthembu as King Dingiswayo, Best Newcomer Actress for Ziya Xulu as Piklile, and Best Production Design for Dylan Lloyd. Shaka iLembe was also up for Best Actor (Wiseman Ncube), Supporting Actress (Dawn Thandeka King and Hope Mbhele), and Best Newcomer (Ntando Zondi)
At the SAFTAs, the Mzansi Magic series is the most nominated content overall, with 17 nominations, including Best TV Drama, Directing (Angus Gibson, Zeno Petersen and Adze Ugah), Actor (Mthembu), Actress (Mbatha), and Supporting Actor (Mncube and Senzo Radebe).
The epic premiere set a DStv record of more than four million views, with the series going on to become the most Googled TV series in South Africa last year.
The Bomb Shelter Film Company is already at work on Season 2.
Watch the trailer:
SPINNERS S1 | Binge now
Spinners follows Ethan (Cantona James), a 17-year-old driver working for a local gang. Needing to support his younger brother but increasingly disgusted with gang life, Ethan discovers a possible way out via spinning, an extreme motorsport where he can put his driving skills to better use. With a gang war looming, can he turn his life around fast enough?
Next week, Spinners will screen at Seriesly Berlin, who write, “The fresh tone, vibrant characters and the breath-taking action make this coming of age story an irresistible must-see.”
Spinners beat Succession to win Best Foreign Series at the Magnolia Awards in Shanghai earlier this year, after becoming the first African series to screen at Canneseries.
A co-production between Showmax and CANAL+, Spinners is up for three SAFTAs: Directing (Jaco Bouwer), Scripting (Matthew Jankes and Sean Steinberg) and Editing (Matthew Swanepoel and Andrea Shaw).
Empreinte Digitale is in development on Season 2.
Watch the trailer:
OUTLAWS S1 | Binge now
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 Ts’eoles.
At the Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards in July 2024, Outlaws won Best Supporting Actress for Slindile Nodangala as Deli Biyela. Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku was also up for Best Actress and Best Newcomer.
At the SAFTAs in October 2024, the Showmax Original has 11 nominations, tied with The River at the top of the telenovela category. Outlaws’ nominations include Most Popular Telenovela or Soap and Best Telenovela, Directing (Tebogo Malope, Thembalethu Mfebe, Nthabi Tau and Menga Nhlabathi), Scriptwriting (Gwydion Beynon and Phathutshedzo Makwarela) and Actor (Thembinkosi Mthembu, who has four nominations this year).
Tshedza is at work on a second season of Outlaws, which was one of the 10 most-streamed local shows on the African streamer last year.
Watch the trailer:
RED INK S1 | Showmax Original |Binge now
Based on Angela Makholwa-Moabelo’s bestselling novel, Red Ink tells the story of a journalist turned publicist, Lucy Khambule, who is approached by an imprisoned serial killer to tell his story.
At the Septimius Awards in Amsterdam in August 2024, Nqobile Nunu Khumalo was up for Best African Actress as Lucy. SAFTA winner Bonko Khoza (Mqhele in The Wife) co-stars as Napoleon Dingiswayo, nicknamed The Butcher of Soweto by the media.
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 SAFTA winners Lorcia Cooper (Lockdown), Bongile Mantsai (Inxeba: The Wound), and Jo-Anne Reyneke (Black Tax), and the likes of Tsholofelo Maseko (Intersexions).
Red Ink is a partnership between Makholwa’s Britespark Films and Bomb Productions. This marks the first Showmax Original from Bomb, who made classics like Shaka iLembe, Venice winner Yizo Yizo, Oscar nominee Mandela, Sundance winner Amandla: A Revolution In Four-Part Harmony and SAFTA winners like Isibaya.
YOUNGINS S1 | Binge now
When a teen flees from a family tragedy in rural KZN to a boarding school in Johannesburg, she finds herself entangled in a scandal of epic proportions.
Nominated for Best South African Streaming Series at the Behind The Scenes Awards in November 2024, the hard-hitting teen telenovela is one of the 10 most-watched series on Showmax since its relaunch in February 2024.
SAFTA winner Loyiso MacDonald and DStv Mzansi Viewers Choice Award winner Sanna Mchunu play the principal and the matron respectively, but the young cast, led by Ayakha Ntunja, steal the show.
The 16-rated series is produced by Tshedza Pictures, the company behind Outlaws and The River, the two most-nominated telenovelas at the 2024 SAFTAs.
BBC hails Youngins as “a wild ride full of fun, danger, sex and violence.”
Watch the trailer:
SIBONGILE & THE DLAMINIS S1 | Binge now
The first season of Sibongile & The Dlaminis was the most-watched show on DStv for the five months from March-July 2024, according to The Broadcast Research Council of South Africa.
Luyanda Zwane stars as Sibongile Mbambo, a young woman from the rural village of Ixopo in KwaZulu-Natal who becomes a domestic worker in the lavish mansion of the wealthy Dlamini family.
Sibongile & The Dlaminis is up for Most Intriguing Daily Drama at the Behind the Scenes Awards in November 2024 and Most Popular Telenovela or Soap at the 2024 SAFTAs in October 2024. Melusi Yeni won Best Supporting Actor: TV at the Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards in July 2024, where Zamuntu Khoza was up for Best Newcomer Actress and the show was also nominated for Best Use of KZN As A Filming Destination.
Sibongile & The Dlaminis is produced by Rhythm World Productions (Umkhokha: The Curse), with S2 currently screening on Mzansi Wethu.
Watch the S1 trailer:
UMKHOKHA: THE CURSE | Binge now
Umkhokha: The Curse centres on 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 up for Most Intriguing Daily Drama at the Behind the Scenes Awards in November 2024, while Deli Malinga won Best Actress at the Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards in July 2024. At the SAFTAs, Umkhokha: The Curse is up for Most Popular Telenovela or Soap.
The success of Mzansi Magic’s award-winning 13-part drama series Umkhokha led to the series’ reinvention as a prequel telenovela, going back to the roots of the mega-church and how greed and lust for power led to the rivalry that’s come to define these two powerful families.
Produced by Rhythm World Productions (Sibongile & The Dlaminis), Umkhokha: The Curse was the most watched content on DStv for the six months from September 2023 to February 2024, according to The Broadcast Research Council of South Africa.
Season 2 is currently screening on Mzansi Magic.
Watch the trailer:
EVERYTHING ON SHOWMAX IN SEPTEMBER:
Showmax has another bumper lineup this September, including:
• The Batman spinoff series The Penguin, starring an unrecognisable Colin Farrell
• Fantasmas, MetaCritic’ 5th best reviewed TV show of 2024 so far
• Critically acclaimed series like Elsbeth, A Gentleman In Moscow, and It’s A Sin
• New seasons of hit action series The Equalizer and Fire Country
• The blockbuster Bob Marley: One Love
• MetaCritic‘s third best-reviewed film of the year: Laroy, Texas
• 2024 Best Picture Oscar nominee The Holdovers
• Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City
• People’s Choice Reality Show of the Year nominee The Real Housewives of New Jersey S14
• BAFTA-winning documentary Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes
See the full lineup on Showmax Stories.