Everything new on Showmax in East Africa in February 2020

Check out the fantastic line-up of great shows coming to Showmax this month, including the local series This is Life and the gripping Atlanta-based saga Ambitions. This is joined by another season of The River, The New Pope, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Black-ish and Grown-ish. Don’t forget a bumper month of live sports, and bonus: You can still get 3 months of Showmax for the price of 1 until the end of March.

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Editor’s Pick: Local Series

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There are new episodes weekly for Selina S4, Pete S2 and Njoro wa Uba and the hilarious Ma’Empress.

This Is Life | Binge from 6 February

This Is Life is a drama series about love but don’t be fooled by its familiar premise: this series is not a wispy tale about romance. It’s a series about real life and real issues. It’s a chronicle that follows the lives of two sisters, Amara and Shera.

This is a captivating story of two sisters in their quest for love. Amara is in love with a pathological liar, a man so deep in debt that it will tear them apart. Shera has been dating her college sweetheart for years. They struggle to pay the rent but they are so deeply in love. They both go to work for a Jamal, a man whose always been obsessed with Shera and he is determined to break them apart.

This Is Life is a story of love and betrayal and the fine line that divides the two.

Maisha Mkanda | Binge from 13 February

Maisha Mkanda is a local docu-series that reveals sides to Kenya that are uplifting, heart-wrenching and at times, horrifying! The series is produced by Africa Uncensored, a collective of investigative reporters based in Nairobi, and navigates topics such as the skin-bleaching craze, widow-cleansing (the act of men copulating with recently widowed women as part of the wider culture of wife inheritance), surviving terror attacks and many more.

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Editor’s Pick: International Series

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Ambitions S1 | Binge from 1 February

They used to be best friends, but now Stephanie Carlisle, the wife of Atlanta’s mayor, Evan Lancaster, and Amara Hughes, a prosecutor in the US Attorney’s Office, are on opposite sides. Lancaster dreams of being Georgia’s first African-American governor and will do anything to get there. Meanwhile, Amara’s husband, Titus, works for big pharma and is fighting a class-action suit brought by Stephanie’s powerful family.

The New Pope | First on Showmax | Binge from 1 February 

This highly-anticipated follow-up to the Emmy-nominated 2016 series The Young Pope sees Jude Law reprise his Golden Globe-nominated role as Pope Pius XIII, with Oscar nominee John Malkovich now leading the cast as Pope John Paul III (aka the New Pope), who ascends to the throne while Pius is lying in a coma.    

The series has already started collecting awards on the festival circuit and made #3 on IMDb’s list of The Ten Most Anticipated TV shows of 2020.

The Guardian called The New Pope “just as rich and ravishing and gloriously enigmatic” as its predecessor, “another deep dive into the hidden world of the Vatican City, marvelling at its mystique with agnostic fervour.”  While Indiewire hailed it as “gorgeous and outrageous… one of the most unique, enigmatic, and exhilarating television experiences that you can watch for depth, for fun, or for a wild combination of both.

1m views and counting for the trailer; #3 The Ten Most Anticipated TV shows of 2020, and 8.2/10, IMDB; 88% critics rating, Rotten Tomatoes

A Black Lady Sketch Show | Binge from 1 February 

Laugh-out-loud funny, not afraid to be controversial and unprecedented in sketch comedy TV history, A Black Lady Sketch Show is created, written and directed by and starring a stellar array of black women, including Issa Rae (Emmy and Golden Globe nominee for HBO’s Insecure) who is a producer. 

Each episode consists of five to six sketches, and guest stars include Oscar nominee Angela Bassett, Emmy winners Lena Waithe and Loretta Devine, Emmy nominees Laverne Cox and Amber Riley, Gina Torres from Suits, Nailed It! star Nicole Byer, Grammy winner Kelly Rowland and Grammy hall-of-famer Patti LaBelle.

Hollywood Reporter hailed the show as “energetic, funny and wonderfully distinctive” and PopBuzz as “sharp, entertaining and seriously overdue.”

#18 on Rotten Tomatoes’ list of the best TV shows of 2019, with a 100% critics rating; featured in Best of 2019 lists from AV Club to Los Angeles Times, Salon and Vulture; “sharp, entertaining, and seriously overdue” Pop Buzz; already renewed for a second season.

The Bold Type S3 | First on Showmax | Binge from 1 February

Inspired by the life of Cosmopolitan’s editor-in-chief, Joanna Coles, The Bold Type offers a glimpse into the outrageous lives and loves of the staff at a women’s magazine. Beneath the glam, this millennial-favourite drama series is the story of a group of young women working their butts off and selling the best of their talents in an increasingly competitive industry.

The series stars Katie Stevens (Faking It) as Jane, Aisha Dee (Sweet/Vicious) as Kat, and Meghann Fahy (Political Animals) as Sutton. Emmy nominee Melora Hardin (The Office) plays editor Jacqueline, with Sam Page (Mad Men) as Richard.

The new season sees Peter Vack (Homeland) join the show as Patrick Duchand, the new head of Scarlet’s digital department. Could his arrival suggest the clock is ticking for both the magazine’s female leadership and its future as a print publication? 

Glamour calls The Bold Type “one of the most delightful shows on TV,” while The New Yorker says it’s “a show to warm a jaded heart.” 

100% critics rating for season 3, Rotten Tomatoes; 8/10, IMDb; Nominated for seven Teen Choice Awards; Also nominated for GLAAD, Imagen and Satellite awards

Black-ish S1-3 | Binge from 3 February

Dre Johnson and his wife, Rainbow, are living a comfortable life in an upper-middle-class neighbourhood. But he worries that his children are losing touch with their black culture in this mostly white neighbourhood.

Grown-ish S1 | Binge from 3 February

In this spin-off of the hit series Black-ish, Zoey (the eldest Johnson daughter) heads off to college. She soon realises that life away from her parents is not as easy as she imagined it would be.

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Editor’s Pick: Movies

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A United Kingdom | 1 February

A biographical romance based on true events, A United Kingdom is the story of a love that defied an empire. The controversial 1947 marriage of King Seretse Khama of Botswana to a British white woman, Ruth Williams, met with fierce opposition from both their families and the British government. The union threw Botswana into political and diplomatic turmoil, jeopardised the British Empire’s position in Africa and came close to sparking a war with the apartheid government of South Africa.

The movie stars two-time Golden Globe nominee David Oyelowo and Oscar nominee Rosamund Pike, as well as Terry Pheto, Vusi Kunene and Tom Felton (Harry Potter’s Draco Malfoy).

84% critics rating, Rotten Tomatoes

I, Tonya | 6 February

This Oscar-winning mockumentary-style comedy-drama is based on the life of figure skater Tonya Harding, who was implicated in the attack on rival skater Nancy Kerrigan in 1994. It stars two-time Oscar nominee Margot Robbie and Oscar winner Allison Janney.

Allison Janney won an Oscar, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actress, with Margot Robbie earning nominations for all these for her lead role; Nominated for an Oscar for Best Editing; 89% critics rating, Rotten Tomatoes

Rocketman | 10 February

Rock biopic meets musical fantasy in this fabulous rollercoaster of a movie about a little boy called Reginald Kenneth Dwight, who grew up to be one of the greatest musical icons of all time – Elton John. 

Taron Egerton won a 2020 Golden Globe for his portrayal of Elton John. He stars alongside Richard Madden (Game of Thrones’ Robb Stark), Jamie Bell (Billy in Billy Elliot) and Bryce Dallas Howard. Rocketman was penned by Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall and directed by double-BAFTA Award nominee Dexter Fletcher (who took Bohemian Rhapsody to completion after Bryan Singer was fired).

Nominated for a 2020 Oscar for Best Achievement in Music (Original Song), as well as a 2020 Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and four BAFTAs; 89% critics rating, Rotten Tomatoes 

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Editor’s Choice: Documentaries

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Earth’s Great Rivers | 1 February 

Narrated by David Oyelowo (A United Kingdom), the BBC’s epic journey along Earth’s Greatest Rivers explores the Mississippi, the Amazon and the Nile, and takes a look at the extraordinary animals and people who live alongside them. Episode 2 focuses on the ever-changing landscapes and cultures of Africa’s lifeline, the Nile. Explore the river’s legacy, from its ancient wonders to the animals that call its banks home, some of whom have taken up residence in the ruins of Idi Amin’s former hunting lodge in Uganda.

8.3/10 IMDb

Untouchable | 6 February

Untouchable tracks the rise and fall of the disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, featuring interviews with former colleagues and accusers in the wake of the scandal that shook Hollywood and catapulted the #MeToo movement to a global phenomenon. 

Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus calls it “a gut-wrenching look at horrific abuses of power,” while London Evening Standard writes, “More than a portrait of one monstrous man, it’s a polemic against the complicit silence that accompanied years of alleged sexual misconduct, abuse and bullying.”

85% critics rating, Rotten Tomatoes

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Editor’s Choice: Reality

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Love Island | 14 February 

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Showmax is adding four new seasons of Love Island – USA S1 (2019), Australia S2 (2019) and UK S4-5 (2018 and 2019).  This is the show that Euphoria’s Rue – and half the planet – is obsessed with. 

The reality show has a simple premise: lock a group of single (typically hot) young contestants in a luxury villa (under constant surveillance, of course), and see who can survive the romantic swings, slings, and arrows (and the challenges) to couple-up and be voted the winning pair.   

The UK edition, on which the franchise is based, won a 2018 BAFTA Award for Best Reality and Constructed Factual Show.

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Editor’s Choice: Best of Africa

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Ultimate Love | Watch from 10 February

A first-of-its-kind reality TV show format coming to Showmax courtesy of Africa Magic, Ultimate Love is centred around single male and female strangers living together in an isolated location with the hopes of finding life-long love. They are paired based on their mutual attraction to one other as they compete to emerge the ultimate couple of the competition. The winning couple is rewarded with a lavish traditional wedding ceremony, a fully furnished home amongst other prizes. The couples, who are continuously monitored by live television cameras and personal audio microphones, will interact daily with a counsellor fondly referred to as ‘Auntie’ as they embark on their journey to love.

Visit Showmax on Saturdays for the weekly highlights, and on Mondays to see who was voted out of the competition the day before.

Lockdown S5 | New episodes weekly

Lockdown, the most-awarded drama series at last year’s SAFTAs, has moved from Mzansi Magic and is now only on Showmax, with brand-new episodes hitting our screens every Thursday.   

Notorious for its cliffhangers, plot twists and emotional rollercoasters, Lockdown takes viewers into the daily battle for survival in the cells and offices of Thabazimbi Women’s Correctional Facility.  

As Season 5 picks up, Masebata’s cult is no longer in power. Arch-rivals Mazet (Dawn Thandeka King in a SAFTA-winning role) and Tyson (Lorcia Cooper in a SAFTA-winning role) are running the prison yard together, for now. Governor Deborah Banda (Pamela Nomvete in a SAFTA-nominated role) is under pressure from the Department of Correctional Services, after one death too many at the prison. And Monde (Zola Nombona in a SAFTA-nominated role) is trying to make things right with Vicky (Lauren Jenae). The new season also sees Sophie Lichaba join the cast.

Won SAFTAs for Best TV Drama in 2019 and Best Drama Script in 2018. Dawn Thandeka King and Zola Nombona are both up for Favourite Actress at the 2020 Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards. 

An Act of Defiance | First on Showmax | 6 February

Historical drama meets political thriller in the courtroom as 10 political activists (including Nelson Mandela) face a possible death sentence in the Rivonia Trial after they are arrested in 1963. Lawyer Bram Fischer risks his career and freedom to defend the men while trying to keep his own involvement in the struggle a secret from the police. 

The film is based on the Joel Joffe novel The State vs. Nelson Mandela, and stars SAFTA and Silwerskerm Award winner Antoinette Louw (Axis Mundi) as Molly Fischer, Sello Motloung (The Queen) as Nelson Mandela, and Peter Paul Muller as Fischer himself.

Winner of eight international festival awards, including Best Actress and Best Script at the Cape Town & Winelands International Film Festival

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Editor’s Choice: Kids

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The Snail and the Whale | First on Showmax | 1 February

The Snail And The Whale follows the amazing journey of a tiny snail who longs to see the world and manages to hitch a ride on the tail of a huge humpback whale. The story is a joyous, empowering tale about the natural wonders of the Earth and discovering that however small you are, you can make a difference. 

The half-hour adaptation of The Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler’s best-selling children’s book is voiced by British Comedy Award winner Rob Brydon as the whale and Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins as the snail, with Golden Globe nominee Dame Diana Rigg as the narrator. 

The Snail and the Whale is produced by Magic Light Pictures, who’ve given us BBC Christmas treats like The Gruffalo and Zog, and animated in Cape Town by Triggerfish, with South African Daniel Snaddon co-directing. 

BBC One’s Christmas Day broadcast of The Snail and the Whale drew over four million viewers; Zog, Triggerfish’s previous collaboration with Magic Light, is up for an International Emmy.

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Also streaming on Showmax this February

1 February

Mr. Robot S4 | The Long Road Home | Sticks & Stones S1 | Deep State S1 | False Flag S1 | Les Miserables S1 | The Hot Zone

All About Nina (First on Showmax) | A Case of You | Barbie in a Mermaid Tale | Barbie in a Mermaid Tale 2 | Thomas & Friends Collection

Extraordinary Rituals | Spy In The Wild| Spy In the Wild: Meet the Spies | I am Paul Walker | Expedition Impossible S1 | 9/11: The Plane That Hit the Pentagon

6 February 

Little Italy (First on Showmax) | Something Borrowed

Pablo S2 (First on Showmax) | Top Chef Junior S1-2 | Counterfeit Cat S1 | Wildernuts S1 | The Polos S1

Ovet (First on Showmax) | Tyd met Aleit S5

10 February

Life Itself | About Time | Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds | Ana Maria in Novela Land

Skunk Fu S1 | Aliens Love Underpants and Panta Claus

Hier Gaan ons Alweer S17-S18 | Fill Up Orlando Stadium | Fill Up The Dome | Go Nyelela Ga Puo | Death of language

13 February

Fifty Shades of Grey | How To Train Your Dragon | How To Train Your Dragon 2 | Megamind | How To Train Your Dragon Series & Movies Collection

Dragons: Riders of Berk S1 | Dragons: Defenders of Berk S2

Epiphany (First on Showmax) | Meisies Wat Fluit (First on Showmax) | Finding The One S1 | The Lifesaver

14 February

Shampaign S2

17 February

The Forgiven | Wildling | S.M.A.R.T. Chase

Glam Guru S15-S17 | Skorokoro | Mignon Mossie van Wyk | Land of Milk & Money | Trouvoete

20 February

Hotel Artemis | Jurassic Park Collection | Jurassic Park | The Lost World: Jurassic Park | Jurassic Park III | Lap Dance

Oppi Kassie S2

24 February

Arizona (First on Showmax) | The Titan | Steve Jobs

27 February

Atomic Blonde | Wonder Wheel | Gotti | Snow White and the Huntsman | The Huntsman: Winter’s War | Wanted

Siembamba – The Lullaby

* Please note all shows and dates are subject to change.