2 October 2019
Empire S1-5
Set in the glamorous and glitzy world of hip hop and R&B, Empire has had a rocky ride since it first aired in 2015. It nearly didn’t make it past its first season, and was all but cancelled outright, but with the support of its fans, it rallied to keep delivering all the outrageous drama and hot music we’ve come to expect from the Lyon family.
At the heart of the frothy bordering-on-soap show are the Lyons. Patriarch and head (sometimes) of the eponymous empire is Lucious (Terrence Howard). Taraji P Henson plays Cookie, his wife who spent 17 years in jail after taking the rap for Lucious, and thereby missing her children’s lives. Understandably she has some residual bitterness and isn’t afraid of a thing.
The brothers are Andre (Trai Byers) who is fairly straight-laced but with some mental issues and the only one performing in the music industry; Jamal (scandal-ridden Jussie Smollet) in the middle, and baby of the bunch, Hakeem (Bryshere Y Gray). All of them endure extreme ups and downs and at some point or another, they all try to kill one or more members of their family, mainly Lucious, because he’s not the nicest guy in the world and to be fair, probably tried to kill them first.
Empire is notable not only for these reasons, but its exceptional original soundtrack with Timbaland brought on board as executive music producer, and cast members doing their own vocals. Howard and Henson of course, have previously worked together in this way, in Hustle & Flow (2005). On top of this, throughout its five seasons, Empire has been a showcase of real-life superstars guesting as themselves or as fictional characters. The list includes Courtney Love, Gladys Knight, Jennifer Hudson, Lee Daniels, Cuba Gooding Junior, Forest Whitaker, Chris Rock, Ludacris, Naomi Campbell, Snoop Dogg and many more.
Original African stories by local talent
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. Two episodes now streaming, and the remaining two episodes land on 22 March 2024 on Showmax.
The Illuminated
The Showmax Original docuseries The Illuminated explores different religious movements in South Africa. Stream now, with new episodes every Wednesday.
Koek S1
The crime comedy Koek, starring Cindy Swanepoel, now streaming on Showmax, with new episodes every Thursday.
Ekhaya Backpackers S1
Stream the Showmax Original comedy series Ekhaya Backpackers, with new episodes every Thursday.
Cheta M
Cheta M explores the love story between Adanna and Nnanna, young lovers who battle the spiritual and political forces in their way. Stream now, with new episodes Wednesday to Friday.
Youngins S1
Stream Tshedza Pictures’s first teen drama, Showmax Original Youngins, with three new episodes every week.
Sadau Sisters S1
Rahma, Zainab, Aisha, and Fatima Sadau pull back the curtain on their family, fame, and lifestyle. Stream now on Showmax.
Tracking Thabo Bester: coming soon to Showmax
Red Ink: how did Bonko become The Butcher?
More Mzansi gold
Lorcia Cooper Kumalo from Red Ink on her intentions when choosing roles
SAFTA winner Lorcia Cooper Kumalo talks about her role as Detective Morapedi in Red Ink and her intentions when choosing roles.
Red Ink Season 1 episode 8 recap: Till we meet again
In the finale of Red Ink, Lucy learns the shocking news about Napoleon, evoking complex emotions. All the episodes are now streaming.
The Mommy Club S2 episode 6 recap: How to keep hustling
In episode 6 of The Mommy Club, Nozipho and Nunurai discuss business, while Hermajesty treats her daughter to a car shopping spree. New episodes every Monday on Showmax.
Former SAPS profiler on the murder that “stands out the most”
Former SAPS head profiler Dr Gérard Labuschagne discusses the true-crime documentary Original Sin: My Son The Killer, noting it as the most troubling case in his career.