Everything new coming to Showmax in the UK in October 2021

The second season of the SAFTA-winning BET Africa and Showmax Original family sitcom Black Tax, Ghana Jollof the first Showmax Original comedy in West Africa; Toorbos, South Africa’s official entry to the 2021 Oscars; two brand-new dramas from Nigeria, Venge and Dilemma; and more titles coming to Showmax subscribers in the UK in October.

Black Tax S2 | Stream from 9 October

Just when you think you’re finally making your way in this world, think again, because it’s payback time from the first paycheque with Black Tax. 

With six SAFTA nominations (including for Best Comedy) and a win for Best Scriptwriting, the popular BET Africa and Showmax Original family sitcom Black Tax is back for a second season of laugh-out-loud hilarity as career-woman and single mom Thuli Dlamini tries to keep up with paying her dues to her family, who supported her journey to success. 

SAFTA winner Jo-Anne Reyneke (Broken Vows, Isono) returns as Thuli, with Mandla Jwara (Isithembiso) nominated for Best Actor at the 2021 SAFTAs as her father. Industry legend Clementine Mosimane, a 2020 SAFTA winner for Poppie Nongena and 2021 nominee for How To Ruin Christmas: The Wedding, plays her mother, while comedians Sne Dladla and Jason Goliath also star. 

New faces this season include five-time SAFTA nominee Motlatsi Mafatshe (How To Ruin Christmas: The Wedding) and newcomer Asante Mabuza as the meddlesome new neighbours of Thuli and her crazy family. Acting legend Owen Sejake (Tsotsi, Beat the Drum, Yizo Yizo) also joins the cast. 

Created by Meren Reddy, Joshua Rous and Luke Rous, who have 15 SAFTAs between them, Black Tax is a co-production between BET Africa and Showmax, produced by Rous House Productions (Inconceivable, Elke Skewe Pot, High Rollers).

Ghana Jollof | Stream from 22 October, new episodes weekly

In Ghana Jollof, Showmax’s first West African comedy, Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA) winner Funnybone and Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) nominee Akah Nnani star as two Nigerians who move to Ghana in search of greener pastures. 

The all-star Nigerian cast also includes multi-award-winning comedian Basketmouth, who also executive produces; comedian/actor Buchi; and Uzor Arukwe, who starred as dreaded crime boss Knight in Sugar Rush.

The equally impressive Ghanaian cast includes AMAA nominee Joselyn Dumas; heartthrobs Mawuli Gavor (Chief Daddy) and James Gardiner, who currently stars in Ghana’s popular telenovela Dede; the uncontested ‘Queen of Ghana comedy’, Jacinta Ocansey; popular reality star Portia Freelove; model and actress Brihanna Kinte; veteran actor Jackson Albert Davies (Beasts of No Nation); actress Korkor Oyeba Mensah; and multiple-award-winning comedian/actor Kalybos.

Shot in Lagos and Accra, Ghana Jollof is directed by AMVCA nominee Diji Aderogba (About A Boy). 

Toorbos | Stream from 21 October 2021 

South Africa’s official entry to the 2021 Oscars, Toorbos is an adaptation of the beloved Dalene Matthee love story about the uprooting of Karoliena Kapp, one of the final forest dwellers in Knysna in the 1930s. 

As Karoliena, Elani Dekker was nominated for a 2021 SAFTA for Best Actress, with Variety praising her “fine, quiet” performance and comparing her “guileless poise” to a “younger Keira Knightley” and Screen International saying the film is “built around” her “luminous and intriguing central performance”. 

Toorbos was nominated for nine SAFTAs, with writer-director Rene van Rooyen winning Best Script and Andries Smit Best Score. 

Screen International describes Toorbos as “a refreshingly unusual and unpredictable period-piece…” while Variety calls the film “a satisfying marriage of folky period romance and environmental parable from the misty, mossy depths of South Africa’s Knysna forest region: a national beauty spot much enshrined in local literature and lore, but rarely given this kind of grand-scale screen showcase.”

Grootboom & Sons S1 | Starts 4 October, new episodes weekly

What if the fate of a family business was left in the hands of the wrong sibling? Mzansi Magic’s new family drama series Grootboom & Sons follows a family at war over their legacy. Starring Zandile Msutwana (The Queen, Isikizi, Igazi), the drama follows estranged kin in the funeral business, with one sister on her deathbed and the other with her own plans for the family business. The impressive cast includes SAFTA winner Bongile Mantsai (Knuckle City, Inxeba) and Charmaine Mtinta (Igazi, Isibaya).

Venge S1 | Starts 4 October, new episodes weekly

This brand-new Nigerian drama follows Bibi, a woman who unravels several conspiracies trailed by murder and fear in her quest for justice and revenge. 

Venge stars Michelle Dede (Desperate Housewives Africa, Eve), Uzoamaka Aniunoh (MTV Shuga, Riona), Obehi Aburime (Baby Drama), Uche Mac-Auley (Checkmate), and Ian Wordi.

Starting 4 October, also catch Dilemma, another brand-new drama from Nigeria starring Nollywood veterans Bob Manuel-Udokwu (Living in Bondage) and Shan George (Welcome to Nollywood), and former Big Brother Naija stars Neo Akpofure and Daniel ‘Sir Dee’ Atteh.

Wounds S1 | From 9 October

Set in the fictional Healing Hands Hospital, where nurses and doctors dedicate their lives to helping others, Wounds follows Busisiwe, a new intern who is understandably nervous – but for reasons that have more to do with the past, she is running away from and is keeping secret from everyone around her. But Busisiwe isn’t the only one fighting her demons while fighting to save lives – her colleagues all have their own unhealed wounds that affect their every day and working selves.

“Wounds is 1Magic’s first medical drama, and we pride ourselves in diversifying and growing the excellent local content slate we have for our viewers. It’s important that we keep pushing the envelope and challenge ourselves with each new show we bring out,” says Nomsa Philiso, the Director of Local Entertainment Channels at MultiChoice.

Wounds features recognisable as well as up-and-coming faces, with Samke Makhoba (MTV Shuga) in the lead role as Busisiwe. Joining her are Ayanda Borotho (Isibaya), actor and presenter Buyile Mdladla (Isibaya), Talitha Ndima (Igazi) and Eve Rasimeni (Z’bondiwe), among others.

Izangoma Zodumo S2 | Stream from 7 October

Gogo Maweni and Gogo Khanyile are back to challenge perceptions once more with Season 2 of the popular Mzansi Magic reality show Izangoma Zodumo.

“Izangoma Zodumo is a show that was rather groundbreaking,” says Nomsa Philiso, Director of Local Entertainment Channels at MultiChoice. “Season 1 introduced us to modern sangomas – not shrouded in mystery and shunned by an unknowing public, but rather, unapologetic about their beliefs.”  

With Season 2, we delve deeper into the lives of the cast members who had viewers and social media talking, week after week. Season 2 is about second chances, love and marriage, healing deep wounds, emotional growth, and an introduction to the world of mediums. 

Wie Word ‘n Miljoenêr? | Stream from 27 October

SA’s very own edition of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? is back, this time in Afrikaans! Media personality Rian van Heerden joins the ranks of Chris Tarrant and Jeremy Clarkson (hosts of the British version), as well as Jeremy Maggs, who was in the quizmaster chair of the original South African Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

The show has already been renewed for a second season, due to broadcast immediately after the first.  While the Afrikaans edition will keep to the rules and structure of the international format, viewers can look forward to a uniquely South African flavour, with some questions tailor-made to bring local flair to the show. 

There will be 156 candidates, picked from thousands of entries and vetted on their general knowledge, competing over 26 weeks. The series was recorded at Atlantic Studios in Cape Town in front of an audience of only 40 people, with strict Covid-19 protocols in place. 

ALSO ON SHOWMAX IN OCTOBER

• 2 October – Koppieteefontein S1 
• 3 October – Umkhokha S1 | Die Wanderlus S1 | Dankie, Lottoland S3
• 4 October – Glam Guru S21 | Rerig? S1| Holekane S1 Full boxset
• 5 October –  Die Broer Toer S1 | Terwyl ek Wag S1 | Wat Dit Vat: Met Loki Rothman S1 
• 7 October – Inside Out S2 | Lycra & Petticoat | Motel
• 6 October – Face to Face S1 | La’t Wiel S25
• 8 October – Nes Op Sy Bes S1
• 9 October – Lovers and Liars S1
• 10 October – Love & Loss S2 
• 14 October – Die Hof S1 | Niemand | Huishou
• 20 October – N Ram Vir ‘n Rus S1 | Ingane Yam S2
• 22 October – Wat Is Waarheid? S1 | Weskusbewoners S1 | Krimasboks
• 27 October – Op Seer Se Spoor S3