THE day has finally arrived. It’s been a gentle jog for the past few weeks but suddenly a massive sprint to the finish line. Have you seen all the new content? It’s mind-boggling. Viewers over the past weekend would have been treated to some early bird specials with episodes sneaking in before the official launch date today. Very nice, thank you Showmax, but I’m now the person who looks at the end date when I can binge entire series. But that’s just me.
Last week, I gave you a rundown on the new international content; today we look at the phenomenal list of local original programming. I love that the newcomers are all “season one”, which implies there will be more.
- Catch Me A Killer season one, 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, which called it, “A female Mindhunter in the guise of a wonderfully-produced true-crime series.” It’s in great company.
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 serial-killer profiler.
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.
- Red Ink season one, 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 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).
- Wyfie , season one, two episodes every Tuesday
From multi-award-winners Homebrew Films (Trompoppie, Magda Louw), Wyfie follows four mismatched first-year roommates at Pantera res at the fictional Eike university.
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.
- Youngins season one, three episodes every Thursday
Off the back of creating two successful Showmax Originals in 2023 (Adulting and Outlaws) Tshedza Pictures kicks off the new year with its third Showmax Original and first teen drama, Youngins.
Thembi Mfebe (Adulting, Miseducation) directs.
- Matilda en Matthys, 14 February
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.
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.
- Forever Yena, 14 February
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?
MultiChoice Talent Factory alumnus Charlie Sampson (Uzobuya) directs the Showmax Original romcom, which is produced by MECA and Warchild.
- Intlawulo
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.
REALITY TV
- Widows Unveiled season one, 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 scandal that followed the death of their husbands.
- The Mommy Club season two from 19 February
The Mommy Club, a reality series about Johannesburg’s glamorous moms who seemingly have it all, is an all-access inside look at the lives of the one percent and the people who help them build their empires and raise their heirs.
- The Real Housewives Of Durban, season four, new episodes on Wednesdays
The Real Housewives of Durban follows the lives of affluent housewives and professional women in the exclusive suburbs of Durban. These women open their doors to take us behind the gates to share their daily lives filled with glamour, wealth and of course drama.
- Sadau Sisters season one, new episodes weekly
Sadau Sisters follows the lives of actress Rahama Sadau and her three sisters – Aisha, Fatima, and Zaina. As they navigate the intricacies of sisterhood, not only do they discover gripping facts about each other, but they also get to deal with past family traumas and controversies in hopes of finding healing.
Each episode will take viewers on a captivating journey of the personal lives of these young northern Nigerian women as they juggle the demands of fame, family and everything in between.