Stella Murders
Made in South Africa
On 26 May 2018, the bodies of two girls were found at Stella High School. This documentary examines the tragedy that shattered a small town.
Stella Murders investigates the tragic deaths of best friends Sharnelle Hough (17) and Marna Engelbrecht (16) at their hostel at Stella High School in North West. On Saturday morning, 26 May 2018, Sharnelle was found hanged by the staircase and Marna was discovered in a bathroom, with both deaths initially looking like suicides.
This true crime documentary comes from David Enright and IdeaCandy, the director and production company respectively behind the breakout hit Devilsdorp, one of Showmax’s ten most streamed titles of 2021, which sold internationally and won the 2022 SAFTA for Best Made for TV Documentary.
Stella Murders, which comes to you as one compelling episode, is streaming on Showmax now.
More Showmax Originals

Win cash and rub shoulders with the cast of Youngins!
Enter the Showmax Fan Day competition to win the chance to hang out with the cast of Youngins, plus great cash prizes!

Sammy Okore gets candid on his breakout role in Reckless
Sammy Okore is back on screen in Showmax Original youth drama Reckless, now streaming, with new episodes on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Jojo dishes on her Real Housewives of Durban journey
Now that Season 5 of The Real Housewives of Durban has come to an end, Jojo opens up about her relationship with Nonku, and which cosmetic procedure is most like RHOD.

Vaal Riviera
Vaal Riviera follows four Afrikaans families living in the heart of Vaal River society, where family, business, car racing and legacy all come into play. Stream from 22 August, with new episodes on Tuesdays.

Must-watch trailer: upcoming Showmax reality show Vaal Riviera
Watch the explosive trailer for Vaal Riviera, a reality series following four families from the Vaal Triangle. Premiering 22 August on Showmax.

Shaka iLembe’s Dawn Thandeka King on Untied
Dawn Thandeka King opens up about her spiritual journey, motherhood and marriage in Untied, now streaming on Showmax. Catch new episodes every Tuesday.

Director Jasyn Howes on true-crime documentary The ABC Killer
The director of Showmax Original doccie The ABC Killer, Jasyn Howes, talks about the twisty three-part series about serial killer Moses Sithole. Stream it now on Showmax.

Pierra Makena on single motherhood and being in the public eye
The Mommy Club NBO’s Pierra Makena is living her best life – acting, DJing and now starring in the Showmax Original reality show about moms who have – and do – it all.
More from South Africa

Christopher Reeve documentary on Showmax get four Emmy nods
South African producer Robert Ford discusses his Emmy-nominated documentary, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, which premieres on Showmax on Friday, 25 July 2025.

Former captain Amanda Dlamini on Banyana’s challenges
Amanda Dlamini shares insights on Banyana Banyana’s WAFCON journey as they face Tanzania on Friday, 11 July in the Showmax Premier League.

Trailer: Thuso Mbedu in HBO’s Task, coming to Showmax in 2025
See the first-look trailer of Thuso Mbedu in HBO’s Task, coming to Showmax in September. Plus, 5 more international must-watch shows dropping on Showmax in 2025.

10 international movies and series shot in South Africa
From Boy Kills World, to Milli Vanilli exposé movie Girl You Know It’s True, to Yellowstone series 1923, we sent our location scouts to figure out where 10 international productions filmed some familiar scenes.

Where to watch The Real Housewives franchise online
Showmax is the home of The Real Housewives, giving an inside look at the lives of these glam women from Durban, Abuja, Lagos, Joburg, Nairobi and more. Plus, go on vacation with The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip!

Reyka’s Speelman and five killers who love playing games
Criminal profiler Reyka is back playing strategy games with her childhood captor Angus Speelman in Reyka Season 2. We look back on his slimiest moments from Season 1, and check out five movie killers who love toying with their prey.

The River S1-6
Fan-fave telenovela The River is full of twists and turns, and plenty of characters you love to hate, or love to root for – like Cobra. Stream the full boxset on Showmax.

International Women’s Month: Powerful storytelling on Showmax
In celebration of International Women’s Month, here are must-see shows with strong women, available to stream on Showmax.
More crime documentaries

Anatomy of Lies: Women who con
Grey’s Anatomy’s most shocking medical case took place behind the scenes. Find out how co-executive producer and writer Elisabeth Finch faked cancer and personal tragedy, and meet five more of the world’s most questionable con women.

The Truth vs Alex Jones
This doccie looks at how families of the victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting took conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to court for spreading lies about the event being a hoax.

Tell Them You Love Me (2023)
A true-crime documentary about the university professor who had a controversial affair with a non-verbal man with cerebral palsy.

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.

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.

The Vow Part II
Follow the journey of defecting members of the self-improvement cult NXIVM as they struggle to overcome indoctrination and reveal the truth.

Undercurrent: The Disappearance of Kim Wall
This HBO docuseries focuses on the murder of journalist Kim Wall while aboard a submarine belonging to an evil multimillionaire.

Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn (2020)
A pertinent documentary following Yusuf Hawkins’ murder that brought a community to its feet and a city to its knees.