12 series to stream in quarantine

When you can’t go out to work and, in fact, can’t leave the house at all, you need a line-up of shows to binge-watch to keep you sane and to keep your mind off things. Here are the series we recommend to stream on Showmax while you’re self-isolating – they’re just a small selection of the shows available. See the full series catalogue here.

Comedy for escapism

Brooklyn Nine-Nine S1-8

The men and women of Brooklyn’s 99th Precinct may be New York’s not-so-finest, but they handle cases with humour and heart. In the seventh season, Captain Holt is back on the beat, and Jake and Amy think about starting a family.

Silicon Valley S1-6

At the start of Season 6, we last left the scrappy Pied Piper crew, things were looking up for them with their cryptocurrency’s success. In the final season we see how doing well has affected the business and changed them as people.

More comedy to stream

Shows with multiple seasons for maximum entertainment

Younger S1-7

In the most recent season, Liza’s secret is exposed, she’s over Josh and now in an uncomplicated relationship with her ex-boss Charles while Millennial is thriving … happily ever after, right? As any Younger fan will know, that is far from the truth.

The Bold Type

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 three women who work at a New York 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.

More boxsets

Highly rated dramas you may have missed the first time round

Mr Robot S1-4

Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy winner Rami Malek is back as antisocial hacker Elliot, who uses tech to protect the people he loves. The fourth and final season takes place during Christmas and sees Elliot and Mr Robot reconcile.

Westworld S1-4

Westworld is a futuristic playground for the well-connected, where its human guests play the hero or villain and its hosts are programmed to play along. That is, until Dolores, the park’s oldest host, starts to come unplugged. New episodes of Season 3 arrive on Showmax every Monday night.

Succession S1-3

Logan Roy has built a powerful company and must choose which of his children will take it over. But not everyone is happy with his plans…

More high-quality drama

Adults-only, NSFW shows for when the kids are in bed

HBO’s The Deuce S1-3

Enter New York City’s Times Square in the 1970s, a world of sex, dreams and danger in this brilliant new drama series featuring an amazing cast and jaw-dropping style.

P-Valley S1

P-Valley follows the lives of the people who work at a strip club called The Pynk in the fictional city of Chucalissa, Mississippi.

More sexy series

Local gold for a feeling of connection to your fellow South Africans in a time of social distancing

The River S1-5

The thrill-a-minute telenovela sees worlds collide in spectacular fashion. One side of the river is home to those who will go to any lengths to keep their wealth; the other by those who have little to show for their hard work.

Somizi & Mohale: End of the Road

Once a beacon in the struggle for LGBTQIA+ equality in South Africa, Somizi and Mohale’s union dissolved amid allegations of abuse and exploitation. This unauthorised documentary looks at the impact of their relationship.

Watch: Living the Dream With Somizi Season 5 – new episodes every Wednesday.

Lockdown S1-5

Welcome to the Thabazimbi Women’s Correctional Facility, where power and survival mean everything. In the fifth and final season, the number of deaths at the prison is raising eyebrows and Deborah is in the hot seat. Arch-rivals Mazet and Tyson continue to run the prison yard together. Generations star Sophie Lichaba joins the talented cast this season.

More local gold