5 March 2020
The Planets
Across five one-hour episodes, Star Trek’s Zachary Quinto explores the dramatic history of the eight planetary siblings in our solar system, as it unfolded over 4.5billion years. Using extensive computer-generated imagery and footage from space missions, including NASA’s Cassini–Huygens mission and the New Horizons probe, the series reveals the spectacular landscapes, apocalyptic weather systems and unbelievable science (on Saturn, it rains diamonds) of our neighbouring worlds.
“The cutting-edge visuals are worthy of a space movie, not least the cosmic round of ten-pin bowling at the dawn of the galaxy,” says the Times (UK), and the Guardian reviewer Rebecca Nicholson says, “The wonder of [the] arguments, which take in the staggering, incomprehensible vastness of time and space, provides the kind of television that made this particular viewer stop and say ‘whoa’ every few seconds.”
Starlust listed it among the eight Best Space Documentaries to Binge Watch in 2020, saying The Planets is “one of our favourite space documentaries of 2019 thanks to Brian’s ability to explain the most complex mechanism at work for planets to form and develop. The production and filmography are outstanding and the show has some of the best CGI we have ever seen in space documentaries. The BBC clearly went all-out budget-wise and it shows!”
Original African stories by local talent
Original Sin: My Son The Killer
Original Sin: My Son The Killer follows the murder of Andrea Venter by Gerhard Jansen van Vuuren, who then went on the run from South Africa to Brazil.
Tracking Thabo Bester
From the makers of Devilsdorp and the director of Convict Conman comes the true-crime documentary South Africa has been waiting for. Two episodes now streaming, and the remaining two episodes land on 22 March 2024 on Showmax.
The Illuminated
The Showmax Original docuseries The Illuminated explores different religious movements in South Africa. Stream now, with new episodes every Wednesday.
Koek S1
The crime comedy Koek, starring Cindy Swanepoel, now streaming on Showmax, with new episodes every Thursday.
Ekhaya Backpackers S1
Stream the Showmax Original comedy series Ekhaya Backpackers, with new episodes every Thursday.
Cheta M
Cheta M explores the love story between Adanna and Nnanna, young lovers who battle the spiritual and political forces in their way. Stream now, with new episodes Wednesday to Friday.
Youngins S1
Stream Tshedza Pictures’s first teen drama, Showmax Original Youngins, with three new episodes every week.
Sadau Sisters S1
Rahma, Zainab, Aisha, and Fatima Sadau pull back the curtain on their family, fame, and lifestyle. Stream now on Showmax.
The Real Housewives Of Lagos S2 Reunion, coming soon
ENO S2: New daughter, more chaos
The best of West Africa
Unavailable Housewives, resolved fights: RHOLagos S2 reunion recap
The Real Housewives of Lagos Season 2 reunion serves up all the drama and jaw-dropping moments you won’t want to miss. Now streaming on Showmax.
5 Showmax Originals produced, directed and written by women
Stream these original series this International Women’s Month, produced, directed and written by Nigerian women, now on Showmax.
Nigerian Showmax Originals bag 10th AMVCA nominations
Showmax Nigeria Originals Wura and The Real Housewives of Lagos bag nominations at the 10th edition of the AMVCAs.
Ifeanyi Chidi on writing epic drama series Cheta M
Headwriter Ifeanyi Chidi talks about writing Showmax’s Nigerian original drama series Cheta M, now streaming on Showmax.