Top crime series to binge-watch on Showmax
Feel like sinking your teeth into a gritty thriller, crime caper or police procedural series? Here are some of the most addictive series that fit the bill, all available on Showmax.
Prepare to be gripped by police procedurals that take you behind the scenes of law enforcement, gritty stories of ordinary people turning to a life of crime to secure their families’ futures, and shows about the pursuit of justice in all its forms. These crime series on Showmax are sure to keep you hooked for hours on end.
Tokyo Vice S1
In this powerful HBO crime thriller based on true events, a Western journalist working in Tokyo takes on one of the city’s most powerful crime bosses.
When We Were Bullies (2022)
A mind-boggling coincidence leads the filmmaker to track down his fifth-grade class and fifth-grade teacher to examine their memory of and complicity in a bullying incident 50 years ago.
The Cleaning Lady S3
A marginalised Cambodian doctor in the US struggles to keep her ill son alive. She becomes a cleaning lady for an organised crime syndicate to save him.
The Sixth Commandment S1
Follow the events that unfolded after the real-life deaths of Peter Farquhar and Ann Moore-Martin in a Buckinghamshire village.
Time S2
A tense and gritty British prison anthology series that looks at a new scenario of life in prison. Season 2 focuses on a women’s prison.
ZeroZeroZero S1
The drug underworld is a zero-sum game in this gritty crime drama exploring the inner workings of the global cocaine trade.
Koek S1
A despondent housewife, convinced her husband is having an affair, is inadvertently thrust into the underbelly of a crime syndicate.
Made in South Africa
Alert: Missing Persons Unit S1
After her son goes missing, Nikki Batista joins the Philadelphia Missing Persons Unit, helping find people’s loved ones.
Accused S1
An engrossing anthology courtroom drama based on the acclaimed BBC crime series. Each episode follows a new defendant as they await their verdict, while flashbacks reveal how they ended up in court.
The Rookie S1-5
The oldest rookie in the LAPD uses his life experience, determination and sense of humour to keep up with colleagues 20 years his junior.
Headhunters S1
Follow Roger Brown, a corporate headhunter who has lied and manipulated his way to success in this Norwegian thriller.
Found S1
Found follows recovery specialist Gabi Mosely as she and her team work tirelessly to find missing people forgotten by the system.
Catch Me A Killer S1
A thriller based on the book of the same name, Catch Me a Killer tells the harrowing true story of psychological profiler Micki Pistorius.
Made in South Africa
Libby, Are You Home Yet?
This award-winning true-crime British series tells the story of a 21-year-old who was sent home alone in a taxi, from a nightclub – but never arrived.
Poker Face S1
Natasha Lyonne plays a woman who can tell when people lie, and gets herself involved in crimes she can’t help but investigate and solve.
Blue Lights S1
Rookie police officers Grace, Tommy and Annie tackle criminal gangs, undercover agents and their own communities in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Trompoppie S1
Luna, a talented gymnast from the wrong side of the tracks, is awarded a bursary to a prestigious private school to join their elite group of drum majorettes. But then a hazing ritual goes tragically wrong…
Made in South Africa
Die Onderonsie (2023)
When five friends hold a reunion to confirm an agreement that hides a dark secret from their past, a dead body appears…
Made in South Africa
The Rookie: Feds S1
Special Agent Simone Clark, the oldest rookie in the FBI Academy, is assigned to support the LA field office.
Boetie Boer: Inside The Mind Of A Monster
In the most disturbing Showmax Original true-crime series to date, we go back in time to 1990 as Stewart “Boetie Boer” Wilken starts his killing spree in Gqeberha.
Made in South AfricaEye-opening documentaries to stream
Tony Hawk: Until The Wheels Fall Off
With never-before-seen footage and unprecedented access, follow the legend Tony Hawk’s personal life, career and relationship with skateboarding.
When We Were Bullies (2022)
A mind-boggling coincidence leads the filmmaker to track down his fifth-grade class and fifth-grade teacher to examine their memory of and complicity in a bullying incident 50 years ago.
HBO’s Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show now on Showmax
Follow the life of the comedian Jerrod Carmichael in his new HBO series as he searches for love, sex, and connection.
Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show S1
A docuseries following Jerrod Carmichael in his encounters with friends, family and strangers, all in his search for love, sex and connection.
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.
Made in South Africa
Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches
Acclaimed actors bring to life the words of Frederick Douglass, an American anti-slavery activist, with readings from his autobiographies to illustrate how his words about racial injustice still resonate deeply today.
Original Sin: My Son The Killer (2024)
The chilling story of Gerhard Jansen van Vuuren, told by his mother, who helped him flee South Africa after he murdered his girlfriend, Andrea Venter.
Made in South Africa
The best of South Africa in March 2024: 9 must-see Showmax Originals
Showmax’s local lineup is stronger than ever, with hits like Tracking Thabo Bester, Catch Me A Killer, Red Ink, Youngins, and more.
Made in South AfricaLooking for something lighter?
Gallery: Glam pics from the Showmax Roast of Minnie Dlamini
All the best outfits from the Showmax Roast of Minnie Dlamini at the Laugh Africa Comedy Festival, only on Showmax from 26 April 2024.
Made in South Africa
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (2023)
After travelling to Greece for a family reunion, a woman attempts to locate her deceased father’s childhood friends.
Who will roast Minnie Dlamini?
The star-studded line-up of panellists at the Showmax Roast of Minnie Dlamini includes Trevor Gumbi, Siv Ngesi, Tumi Morake and Celeste Ntuli.
Made in South Africa
Colin from Accounts S1
Ashley and Gordon are two single-ish, complex humans brought together by a car accident and an injured dog in this hilarious series.
Curb Your Enthusiasm S1-12
Larry David plays Larry David in every single episode of the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning comedy series.
Larry David on the final season of Curb Your Enthusiasm
Award-winning actor Larry David talks about his role in the iconic HBO comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm. The final season streams from 15 March on Showmax.
Showmax and Laugh Africa announce the Roast of Minnie Dlamini
Gear up for the Showmax Roast of Minnie Dlamini, set to be filmed live on 5 April 2024 and coming only to Showmax on 26 April 2024.
Made in South Africa
Resident Alien S1-3
Is humanity worth saving? This is the dilemma faced by a crash-landed alien who assumes the identity of a small-town doctor who solves crimes.
Shows you'll find only on Showmax
5 Quantum Leaps with Dr Song
As well as leapfrogging around history, Quantum Leap Season 2 takes us everywhere from witch trials in the 1690s to Egypt in the 1960s. Let’s go!
The Cleaning Lady S3
A marginalised Cambodian doctor in the US struggles to keep her ill son alive. She becomes a cleaning lady for an organised crime syndicate to save him.
Who will roast Minnie Dlamini?
The star-studded line-up of panellists at the Showmax Roast of Minnie Dlamini includes Trevor Gumbi, Siv Ngesi, Tumi Morake and Celeste Ntuli.
Made in South AfricaLarry David on the final season of Curb Your Enthusiasm
Award-winning actor Larry David talks about his role in the iconic HBO comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm. The final season streams from 15 March on Showmax.