4 June 2020
They’re “kicking ass and taking names” in Motherland: Fort Salem
The first season of fantasy drama Motherland: Fort Salem is now available to binge first on Showmax.
More than 300 years ago, Sarah Alder made a deal to stop the slaughter of her kind. She pledged her people to the service and defence of America for generations to come. In return, the persecution and the killings stopped. The Salem witch trials ended, and the country gained a powerful new weapon – an army of witches.
Motherland: Fort Salem is a young adult dystopian fantasy that follows three young women – Tally, Abigail and Raelle – from basic training to deployment, as they learn to fight terrorist threats with supernatural tactics and the potent magic of their voices. Thrown together in their unit, the three come from very different backgrounds, but they have one thing in common: they are witches, born and raised for battle… whether they like it or not.
“We’re not the cackling old crones around the cauldron. We are the protectors. We are the warriors. We have these immense powers, and that’s coming from language and sound, as well as sex.”
Jessica Sutton
Tally

Among the three leads is Cape Town actress Jessica Sutton, who was in The Kissing Booth and also stars in the upcoming Showmax Original Rogue, opposite Megan Fox.
Her character, Tally Craven, is the innocent of the group. Wide-eyed and enthusiastic, she sees the army as her calling, a chance to save lives. When her conscription paper arrives, it’s the moment she’s been waiting for for 18 years. All she has to do is say the words.
“This is the pinnacle moment,” says Jessica. “For Tally, she’s already decided that this is what she’s going to do. She’s going to conscribe, against her mother’s wishes.”
Raelle
Raelle is played by Taylor Hickson, who was Petra, aka Goth Girl, in Deadly Class, and Meghan Orlovsky in Deadpool. Like Tally, Raelle has been anticipating this moment, but to her, it’s a suicide mission. Seething with pent-up fury at the injustice of her fate, Raelle sees no way out.
“A medal drops from out of the ceiling and we have to speak the words to basically conscript ourselves into the military,” says Taylor. But in that moment, “Raelle’s mainly thinking about her mother and how she lost her mother to war, and now she’s being condemned to essentially the same fate.”
Abigail
Newcomer Ashley Nicole Williams plays the A-type Abigail, for whom the army was never a choice. It’s a matter of honour, of destiny, and failure is not an option.
“I come from a long lineage of generals,” the actress says of her character. “That’s really big for Abigail. She has to. She has to go through basics, she has to go to war college and she needs to fight and be the very best she can.”
A matriarchal militia
While there’s plenty of action, confrontation, brutal basics-training, unit pressures and barracks shenanigans, Motherland: Fort Salem has something other rookie-soldier shows don’t: magic – fierce and female.
“Right off the top you can see it’s a lot more female driven,” Taylor explains. While that does mean less testosterone-fuelled bonding rituals, the competition and conflict gets plenty ugly.
“It’s no longer the boys fighting on the frontlines, but the girls,” says Jessica. “We’re not the cackling old crones around the cauldron. We are the protectors. We are the warriors. We have these immense powers, and that’s coming from language and sound, as well as sex.”
“The world of Motherland is basically our world flipped upside down,” says Ashley Nicole. “And we’re the powerful ones, kicking ass and taking names.”
Motherland: Fort Salem has a 96% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Associated Press calls the Freeform show “ridiculously entertaining”; Den of Geek says it’s “a riveting supernatural drama” and ComicBook.com says it’s “inventive and ambitious.”
Directed by the likes of Steven A. Adelson (Riverdale), Emmy nominee David Grossman (Desperate Housewives), and BAFTA nominee Haifaa Al-Mansour (Wadjda), Motherland: Fort Salem is exec produced by the team of Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, who’ve brought us shows like Succession.
Motherland: Fort Salem was recently renewed for a second season. Series creator Eliot Laurence (Claws), says he was “blown away by the love we’ve gotten from our fans, whose excitement and passion played a massive part in this renewal,” adding, “Thank you, witches!”
Original African stories by local talent

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.

The ABC Killer
The ABC Killer is a twisty true-crime documentary series about serial killer Moses Sithole. Stream now on Showmax.

What if we believed the best can come from here?
Let’s rewrite the rules of what it means to be local.

Untied S1
Untied explores the deeply personal and often complex experience of divorce, told through the voices of women who have lived it. Stream now, with new episodes every Tuesday.

Reckless S1
Reckless follows a pair of young brothers who find themselves at a crossroads when a tragic accident changes their lives forever. Stream now, with new episodes every Monday and Tuesday.

The Mommy Club NBO
The Mommy Club NBO is the fifth instalment of the record-breaking Mommy Club franchise. Stream now, with new episodes every Friday.

Empini S1-2
Empini is a high-stakes, action-packed drama set in the ruthless, corrupt world of private security. Season 2 is now streaming, with new episodes every Tuesday.

Youngins S1-2
Stream Tshedza Pictures’s first teen drama, Showmax Original Youngins. S1 and S2 are ready to binge.
Kabiyesi, now on Showmax
Between Worlds, now streaming
The best of West Africa

Meet the Housemates of BBNaija Season 10
BBNaija Season 10 introduces 15 Nigerian men and 15 Nigerian women, ready to set your screens on fire with strategic alliances, spicy ships, and unforgettable moves, streaming live on Showmax.

Big Brother Naija Season 10 launches on 26 and 27 July 2025
Big Brother Naija is coming back for its landmark 10th season. Premiering over two nights on 26 and 27 July 2025, exclusively on Africa Magic Showcase, Family and Showmax.

Big Brother Naija S10
Stream BBNaija Season 10 on Showmax, including the 24/7 live stream, daily highlight episodes, Sunday eviction shows, and other key moments throughout the season.

Super Falcons kick off WAFCON against Tunisia on Sunday
The Super Falcons of Nigeria kick off 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations against Tunisia this Sunday, 6 July, live on Showmax Premier League.