Blood Psalms
Made in South Africa
In Ancient Africa, the young Princess Zazi must save herself and her people from the end of the world. She faces warring tribes, angry gods – and her own father. Now streaming.
In Ancient Africa, one thousand years after the fall of Atlantis, the five surviving tribes face another danger: a prophecy which speaks of the end of the world.
Princess Zazi, daughter of the Akachi king, finds herself at the centre of the prophecy. She must face people plotting for power, angry gods and many dark secrets to save herself and her people. She doesn’t know that she’s at the centre of a blood pact made by her father with the god Heka years before, one that will shortly be coming home to roost.
Blood Psalms is a fantasy epic unlike anything made in South Africa before, created by award-winning duo Jahmil X.T. Qubeka and Layla Swart.
The incredible cast includes SAFTA winners like Mothusi Magano, Bongile Mantsai, Hamilton Dlamini and Zolisa Xaluva, as well as favourites like Thando Thabete, Faith Baloyi and Sello Maake Ka Ncube. Bokang Phelane takes on the role of a lifetime as Princess Zazi.
All episodes of Blood Psalms are now streaming.
Meet the cast
Senator Jabari (Richard Lukunku)
Senator Jabari is sent from the powerful Great Nziwemabwe to attend the King’s wedding. But he has another agenda: to regain their lost Northern Territories. Armed with superior weapons and a Golden Army, the Senator is a force to be reckoned with.
Queen Assili (Faith Baloyi)
Queen Assili is ruler of the mystical Uchawi kingdom and current Magi of the order, a position she came to through murder. She can control the elements – but when she cannot bring the rains, she must plot to keep her control of the king.
Sithenjwa (Zikhona Sodlaka)
The consort of Senator Jabari of Great Nziwemabwe, Sithenjwa is a woman with many secrets. Her past is the key to a central mystery in the story, as she hides her real intentions in coming to the Akachi kingdom.
General Toka (Zolisa Xaluva)
The well-respected general of the Akachi army, Toka is a man of many secrets. Born a Ku’ua, it has taken him many years to gain the trust of the Akachi. However, he has made many mistakes. He will play an integral role in the cataclysm to come.
Qotha (Hamilton Dlamini)
The heir to the Ku’ua Chiefdom, Qotha is a calculating man. Not a fan of war, he prefers rationality and fairness. He is aware that his father prefers his brother, Hlengu, and struggles to maintain respect within the tribe.
Hlengu (Bongile Mantsai)
The second-born son of Chief Xemantso of the warring Ku’ua tribe, Hlengu longs to return his tribe to their former warrior glory. He is not the heir to the chiefdom, however, and tussles with how to usurp his level-headed brother, Qotha.
Burutti (Mandisa Nduna)
Burutti lives among the mysterious Chini tribe, “the cursed ones”. She has strange dreams about a mysterious woman, sensing that they are somehow connected. Burutti does not yet know the extent of her powers, or the other secrets about her past.
Nkamanzu (Sello Maake Ka Ncube)
Nkamanzu, King Letsha’s calculating uncle, has grown weary of a string of power-hungry Akachi kings. Once the king descends into madness, Nkamanzu strives to pick up the pieces and bring democracy to the realm.
King Letsha (Mothusi Magano)
Troubled and paranoid, King Letsha sacrificed his wife to fulfil his blood pact with the god of magic, Heka. Manipulated by Queen Assili, he believes that to save his throne, he must now also kill his daughter, Princess Zazi.
Zazi (Bokang Phelane)
Heir to the Akachi throne, Princess Zazi is the key to an ancient prophecy which predicts cataclysmic events triggered by her 18th birthday. As the day approaches, her father must decide whether to sacrifice her to save his throne – and she must decide how to fight back.
Deeper into the world of Blood Psalms
Trailer alert! Heart-stopping African fantasy series Blood Psalms
Get a first look at the trailer for Showmax Original Blood Psalms, a groundbreaking African fantasy series. Blood Psalms premieres on 28 September 2022.
Your guide to the tribes and houses of Blood Psalms
Blood Psalms weaves an epic story set in an ancient world of kings, warriors and a mighty princess. Here is your guide to the five houses of Blood Psalms.
Who’s who in the cast of Blood Psalms
Your guide to the characters and cast of the new sweeping epic fantasy series, Showmax Original Blood Psalms.
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Looking for superb local content? Check out these South African gems from the writer and director of Blood Psalms, Jahmil XT Qubeka.
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Made in South AfricaIn the press
On Citypress: Blood Psalms takes SA by storm
"Created by the geniuses behind the movie Knuckle City, Jahmil Qubeka and Layla Swart, the Showmax series is a solid star-studded cast of all time."
On EWN: SA stars shine in #1 Showmax fantasy series Blood Psalms
"The first two episodes of the Showmax original fantasy series launched on Wednesday and already the show has shot to the number one spot on the streaming platform."
On TV Mzansi: Blood Psalms debuts with glowing reviews
"Without a doubt, the best TV show ever created in Africa."
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