Red Ink
Made in South Africa
Based on Angela Makholwa’s bestseller. A journalist gets entangled with a serial killer. All the episodes for Red Ink are now streaming.
Author Angela Makholwa-Moabelo exec produces and co-writes the Showmax Original adaptation of her bestselling debut novel Red Ink. The eight-part thriller tells the story of a journalist turned publicist, Lucy Khambule, who is approached by an imprisoned serial killer to tell his story.
SAFTA nominee Nqobile Nunu Khumalo (Nqobile, The Herd) plays Lucy, with SAFTA winner Bonko Khoza (Mqhele in The Wife) as Napoleon Dingiswayo, nicknamed The Butcher by the media.
Red Ink is a partnership between Makholwa’s Britespark Films and Bomb Productions. This marks the first Showmax Original from Bomb, who made DStv’s most-watched drama ever, Shaka ILembe.
Red Ink reunites Khoza on screen with two of the other Zulu brothers from The Wife: DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice winners Kwenzo Ngcobo (Qhawe) and Abdul Khoza (Nqoba). The all-star cast also includes Outlaws’ breakout star Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku, SAFTA winners Bongile Mantsai (Inxeba: The Wound), Lorcia Cooper (Lockdown) and Jo-Anne Reyneke (Black Tax), and the likes of Tsholofelo Maseko (Intersexions).
All the episodes for Red Ink are now available to stream on Showmax.
A deeper look at Red Ink
Lorcia Cooper Kumalo from Red Ink on her intentions when choosing roles
SAFTA winner Lorcia Cooper Kumalo talks about her role as Detective Morapedi in Red Ink and her intentions when choosing roles.
Red Ink Season 1 episode 8 recap: Till we meet again
In the finale of Red Ink, Lucy learns the shocking news about Napoleon, evoking complex emotions. All the episodes are now streaming.
Red Ink Season 1 episode 7 recap: What’s in the box?
In episode 7 of Red Ink, Lucy and Kagiso’s efforts to expose a powerful politician’s link to Napoleon put Lucy’s life in danger.
Made in South AfricaRed Ink episode 6 recap: Hope eternal
In episode 6 of Red Ink, Lucy seeks answers from Sifiso about a murder, uncovering another shocking revelation. New episodes every Tuesday.
Red Ink Season 1 episode 5 recap: You lie with the dogs, you get fleas
In episode 5 of Red Ink, Lucy visits Napoleon and Sifiso’s roots, where her investigation takes an unexpected turn. New episodes every Tuesday.
Red Ink episode 4 recap: Seeing double
In episode 4 of Red Ink, Lucy gets an offer from Patricia’s family and later, at KK’s party, she comes face to face with a shocking reveal. New episodes every Tuesday on Showmax.
Bonko Khoza on playing a serial killer in Red Ink
SAFTA winner Bonko Khoza talks about his role as Napoleon Dingiswayo aka The Butcher in the Showmax drama series Red Ink.
Red Ink episodes 1-3 recap: Lucy meets The Butcher
In the first three episodes of Red Ink, Lucy comes face to face with a serial killer, and her life takes a dramatic turn. New episodes every Tuesday on Showmax.
Love South African drama? Here's our pick of the best
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.
South African
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.
Made in South Africa
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.
Made in South Africa
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.
Made in South Africa
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.
Showmax and Joburg Film Festival support emerging filmmakers
7 films from the first-time director slate will have their world premieres at this year’s Joburg Film Festival, from 11-16 March 2025, before streaming on Showmax from April.
Tyla: Live on Showmax (2024)
For fans who missed the Grammy-winning Amapiano superstar’s sold-out shows, this concert offers a final chance to be part of Tyla’s magical tour.
Have you watched The Wife? All seasons are streaming
The Wife is back for a third and final season
The third season focuses on the love story of Tswana doctor Naledi and Qhawe Zulu, while Wiseman Mncube makes his debut as Mqhele.
The Wife S1-3
Binge the full Seasons 1-3 of hit South African telenovela The Wife, only available on Showmax.
Made in South AfricaRelive the best moments of The Wife S2 while you wait for Season 3
A throwback to some of the most memorable moments of The Wife S2, as we patiently wait for Season 3.
What to watch after The Wife
The Wife had us all enthralled. Here’s what to watch next on Showmax that’s just as entertaining.
Made in South AfricaThe Wife Season 2 episodes 13-15: Hlomu’s secret is out
The lives of the Zulu brothers are turned upside down with troubles threatening to destroy all they have worked for in The Wife Season 2 episodes 13-15.
The Wife Season 2 episodes 10 to 12: Is Mqhele and Hlomu’s unborn baby a Zulu?
Hlomu’s love triangle gets even more complicated in The Wife: Season 2, while Nqoba showers Mandisa with money and gifts.
The Wife Season 2: Hlomu is pregnant, but whose baby is it?
The Zulu brothers get released from jail and Hlomu is pregnant. Meanwhile Nkosana gets a shock of his life when Nomusa wants out of the deal.
Khanyi Mbau: The Wife Season 2 actress on playing Zandile, Nkosana’s love
We caught up with Khanyi Mbau: The Wife to find out about playing Zandile, killer fashion and the sexiest Zulu brother.