8 April 2020
Adult Swim taps into animal instinct with launch of Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal on Showmax
There’s something mysterious lurking in the wilderness and it’s all about survival of the fittest. On Monday, 13 April 2020, Adult Swim, the adult-oriented programming block offering animated and live-action series for young adults, will launch Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal, a brand-new, non-dialogue animated series, exclusively on Showmax.
From the creator behind the Emmy® award-winning series Samurai Jack comes a new tale that follows a caveman at the dawn of evolution and a dinosaur on the brink of extinction. The two creatures, one on the way out and one on the way in, bond over unfortunate tragedies and become each other’s only hope of survival in a treacherous world. In this series, creator Genndy Tartakovsky draws inspiration from the imagery of Conan the Barbarian comics, and the brutality of nature.
“I was very much inspired by animal documentaries which, for example, present and make us attach to a polar bear and a baby seal,” says Tartakovsky. “The next moment, we understand that for the survival of one, the other must die. It was a complex, confusing and cruel feeling that I wanted to transcribe. In Primal, we bring the audience to face this brutality, and in the end, it will hurt you.”
The series dazzles and thrills with its silent treatment, where the characters solely express themselves through grunts, roars, and gestures. Yet their emotions and personality come through extremely clearly, thanks to Tartakovsky’s phenomenally detailed animation, as well as the art direction by Scott Wills (Samurai Jack) and use of music by Tyler Bates (Guardians of the Galaxy, Samurai Jack) and co-composer Joanne Higginbottom (Samurai Jack), urging the audience to awaken their basic instincts and establish a deeper connection with the characters. Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal will premiere on Monday, 13 April 2020 on the Adult Swim corner on Showmax. The full season will consist of 10 episodes. But if you just absolutely can’t wait that long, check out the trailer here – right now. It’s survival at all costs!
Watch these Adult Swim series while you wait
Original African stories by local talent
Mince Jou Hare S1
Shimmy Isaacs’s laugh-out-loud sitcom about a factory worker who opens a hair salon in her home lands on Showmax on 20 May 2024.
Untying Kantai
Untying Kantai follows King Kantai, a man who has spent 30 years of his life working hard to provide for his family, only to be conned out of his life savings. Now streaming.
Big Girl Small World
Big Girl Small World follows Ciku, a plus-size woman who stumbles through a journey of self-discovery after a humiliating scandal. Stream now, with new episodes every Wednesday.
Empini S1
Empini is a high-stakes, action-packed drama about Ndoni, a deeply troubled private security bodyguard in search of answers. Landing 23 May, with new episodes weekly.
Original Sin: My Son The Killer
Original Sin: My Son The Killer follows the murder of Andrea Venter by Gerhard Jansen van Vuuren, who then went on the run from South Africa to Brazil.
Tracking Thabo Bester
From the makers of Devilsdorp and the director of Convict Conman comes the true-crime documentary South Africa has been waiting for. All the episodes are streaming on Showmax.
The Illuminated
The Showmax Original docuseries The Illuminated explores different religious movements in South Africa. All episodes now streaming.
Koek S1
The crime comedy Koek, starring Cindy Swanepoel. All the episodes are streaming on Showmax.
What will be the cost of vengeance? Empini S1, coming soon
The Roast Of Minnie Dlamini, now streaming
More Mzansi gold
Youngins Season 1 episodes 40-42 recap: A cruel world
Episodes 40-42 of Showmax Original Youngins will destroy you, as Amo finds out her father’s getting released from prison, Mahlatse loses his scholarship, and Principal Mthembu takes over the girls’ netball team.
Chasing the Sun 2
A five-part series about the 2023 Rugby World Cup, when all of South Africa was ‘Stronger Together’ towards a historic fourth Webb Ellis trophy.
Nqobile Sipamla joins the cast of Showmax Original Empini
Showmax drops the trailer for Empini, giving us our first glimpse of Nqobile Sipamla. Premiering on 23 May, with new episodes on Thursdays.
Mince Jou Hare: Shimmy Isaacs on her Showmax Original sitcom
Watch the trailer for Mince Jou Hare, a feel-good, small-town sitcom, premiering 20 May 2024 on Showmax.