Spinners
Made in South Africa
The exhilarating world of spinning promises a way out for a conflicted young man trapped in a gang war in Spinners. All the episodes are ready to binge.
Spinners follows Ethan, a 17-year-old driver working for a local gang. Trying to support his younger brother but increasingly disgusted with gang life, Ethan discovers a possible way out via spinning, an extreme motorsport where he can put his driving skills to better use. But the looming gang war jeopardises that hope.
Spinners is the first African series selected in competition at Canneseries; won three awards at Dakar Series, including Best TV Series; received a standing ovation from its sold-out South African premiere at Silwerskerm; and was the opening night screening at MIP Africa, generating rave reviews.
The third co-production between Showmax and CANAL+, Spinners’ cast includes Arendsvlei’s Cantona James and Chelsea Thomas in leading roles, along with Dillon Windvogel (Blood & Water) and South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) winner Brendon Daniels (Zulu, Skemerdans, Five Fingers for Marseille).
Directed by Jaco Bouwer (2021 SXSW Best Cinematography winner Gaia, 2022 SAFTA Best TV Drama winner 4 Mure), Spinners is co-created by producer Joachim Landau and showrunner Benjamin Hoffman of Empreinte Digitale. The English/Kaaps/Afrikaans drama is co-produced by Locarno, Amiens and FESPACO winner Ramadan Suleman (Zulu Love Letter, Fools) from Natives at Large, Spinners’ local co-production company. DJ Ready D is the music supervisor and also composing tracks for the series.
All episodes of Spinners Season 1 are now streaming on Showmax, including Inside Spinners, the exclusive behind-the-scenes look at car spinning in South Africa.
Meet the cast of Spinners
Ethan – Cantona James
Ethan is a 17-year-old driver working for a gang on the Cape Flats. Needing to support his younger brother but increasingly disgusted by gang life, Ethan discovers a possible way out via spinning.
Amber – Chelsea Thomas
Amber is the best female spinner in the country. She’s Ethan’s friend and rival, and she’s playful, snarky and very talented. She’s a close friend and support to Ethan, but she’s not afraid to push him to make the right decisions.
Phumeza – Katlego Lebogang
Phumeza is a young detective, not yet hardened by years on the force. She’s called in to investigate an incident involving the gangs, and seems to take a liking to Ethan.
Damien – Elton Landrew
Gang leader Damien is an interesting character. Is he a protector for Ethan, or does he have darker motives for drawing into gang life? Damien is definitely a man with secrets, and while he has a softer side, he has no scruples when it comes to gang business.
Hercules – Brendon Daniels
Damien’s loyal henchman, Hercules is ruthless and cruel. His whole life revolves around the gang, and he’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants.
Shane – Dillon Windvogel
Shane meets Ethan by accident, and they end up as good friends. Shane is the mechanic of the spinning team, and he introduces Ethan to the world of spinning.
Jackie – Stephren Saayman
The stuntman of the spinning team, Jackie is a fun-loving ladies’ man who’s dedicated to his friends and the team.
Kayla – Melanie du Bois
Ethan and Byron’s mother, Kayla, hasn’t always stepped up when her sons needed her. Her addictions and other problems have forced Ethan to grow up fast, but this single mother is determined to make up for it. Will she be strong enough when it counts?
Videos
A deeper look
Meet the cast and characters of Spinners
The cast of the award-winning Showmax Original Spinners includes Cantona James, Elton Landrew, Chelsea Thomas and Brendon Daniels.
Made in South Africa
Katlego Lebogang on her role as Phumeza in Showmax Original Spinners
Katlego Lebogang talks about playing detective Phumeza and breaking stereotypes in Spinners, now streaming on Showmax.
South African
Elton Landrew on playing a gang boss in Spinners, now streaming
Elton Landrew talks about playing the role of Damien in Showmax Original Spinners. New episodes every Wednesday.
South African
Spinners S1
A pulsating, high-octane South African drama. Ethan, a 17-year-old driver trying to escape gang life, discovers a possible way out via spinning, an extreme motorsport.
Made in South Africa
Spinners
The exhilarating world of spinning promises a way out for a conflicted young man trapped in a gang war in Spinners. All the episodes are ready to binge.
Made in South Africa
DJ Ready D on curating the soundtrack for Spinners
The hip hop legend DJ Ready D talks about being the music supervisor and composing tracks for Showmax Original Spinners.
Made in South Africa
Dillon Windvogel on Spinners and gangsters with heart
Dillon Windvogel talks about speaking his mother tongue for the first time in Showmax Original, Spinners, coming 8 November.
South African
Chelsea Thomas on starring as Amber in Spinners
Chelsea Thomas talks about her role in Spinners, the first African series selected in competition at Canneseries. Premiering 8 November on Showmax.
South AfricanIn the press
On Fortress of Solitude: Showmax's Spinners is the best new South African show
Every now and then, the TV world is graced with a show that redefines the game. Imagine my surprise to discover a homegrown gem from Showmax with enough flair to shake up the scene. Spinners (which launches in November) isn’t just a nod to Mzansi with its local vibes and tales; it’s the kind of story that’s gonna have international movie bigwigs sitting up and taking notes.
On Huisgenoot: Langverwagte reeks is eindelik hier: Als wat jy moet weet oor Spinners
Dié reeks speel af in die wêreld van ‘spinning’, ’n ekstreme motorsport wat jou verstom sal laat.
On News24 Life: Cantona James steers into the spotlight with Spinners
"This story is for every young coloured boy or girl, for every struggling parent and a story for those in a position out of their control, because of the environment they're surrounded in," says Cantona James, who plays the leading role in the upcoming drama series Spinners.
The best South African shows to stream
Billions Season 7: Mike for President? 6 reasons to vote no
The threat of a Mike Prince Presidency turns enemies into allies in the final season of Billions. Binge every episode on Showmax.
The new Showmax launching in February with an incredible content slate
In February 2024, the new Showmax will launch with a brand-new look, new app and entirely new product suite, plus more African Originals and international hits than ever before.
The Real Housewives of Johannesburg S1-3
The divas are back together, and they’re ready to spill all the tea you can handle.
Made in South Africa
Where to watch The Real Housewives franchise online
Showmax is the home of drama-filled reality TV. Here are some of the titles from The Real Housewives franchise, giving viewers an inside look at the lives of some of the world’s wealthiest women from Durban to Abuja.
DiepCity S1-2
Telenovela DiepCity S2 follows disillusioned young women who were forced into crime while in high school to make ends meet.
Made in South Africa
Uthanda Bani: Skin bleaching for aesthetics
In episode 11 of Uthanda Bani, Mpho wants his partner to stop bleaching his skin. All the episodes are available to binge-watch on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
The Mommy Club S1: Ms Manche and Happy iron things out after a “wild” moment
In episode 2 of The Mommy Club, Ms Manche confronts Happy about her actions at a recent birthday party. New episodes of the reality series land every Tuesday on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Beast (2022)
In this action-packed movie shot in South Africa, Idris Elba fights for his family’s survival as a rogue lion hunts a father and his teenage daughters.
Made in South AfricaThe best to binge now
The Bachelorette S20
A single bachelorette dates multiple men over several weeks, narrowing them down to hopefully find her one true love. On this journey, she gets to know the bachelors, meets their families and gets to know herself better.
Tokyo Vice S1
In this powerful HBO crime thriller based on true events, a Western journalist working in Tokyo takes on one of the city’s most powerful crime bosses.
Moonshine S2
The Canadian comedy-drama with a “dreamy, summer vibe”, Moonshine, returns for a raucous, raunchy second season on Showmax.
Chicago Med S1-8
The creator of the explosive ‘Chicago’ series brings us another compelling instalment, in this pulse-pounding medical drama about the courageous team of doctors at the city’s trauma centre.
Survivor SA S6-9 and USA S44
It’s the ultimate binge: season after season of Survivor, both the US and SA versions. Go on – dive in!
Curb Your Enthusiasm S1-12
Larry David plays Larry David in every single episode of the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning comedy series.
Alert: Missing Persons Unit S1
After her son goes missing, Nikki Batista joins the Philadelphia Missing Persons Unit, helping find people’s loved ones.
The Rookie S1-5
The oldest rookie in the LAPD uses his life experience, determination and sense of humour to keep up with colleagues 20 years his junior.
Afrikaans series to binge-watch
Checking in to Hotel
Your stay is getting a whole lot more entertaining when you check in to hilarious local series Hotel.
Hotel S1-4
Return to Fransenburg for another season of shenanigans in this hilarious Afrikaans mockumentary starring Schalk Bezuidenhout.
Die Stropers (2019)
Screened in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes, this Afrikaans movie was received with widespread acclaim.
Three reasons to binge gritty Cape Town cop drama Die Byl
The super sleuth returns for Season 2 of South Africa’s toughest cop show.