2 October 2019
Sons of Anarchy S1-7
Sons of Anarchy is gritty, graphically violent, intense and addictive – but at its heart, it’s a story about family.
The series, which ran from 2008-2014, follows bad-boy biker Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam). He finds his dead dad’s memoir, which he hides from his mom Gemma (Katey Sagal) and the other members of SAMCRO, the gang his dad started – Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original.
SAMCRO has transformed from a bunch of rough-around-the-edges guys who love bikes into a well-oiled organised crime operation where nothing is too much. Flipping stolen goods? Easy. Extorting protection fees from local businesses? Simple. Killing rivals who overstep the mark? Piece of cake.
But the more Jax reads, the more he realises that SAMCRO has strayed far from his father’s original vision – and he is part of the problem.
SOA isn’t just about a motorcycle gang, however – the series explores corruption, crime and redemption and the fine line between vigilantism and justice.
“It dabbled in the notion of a Shakespearean battle for Jax’s soul, waged between the memory of his dead father and how bad he’s had to become under his stepfather’s reign,” writes Variety.com. “It’s refreshing to see a crime show that so unabashedly displays its nasty side.”
The first two seasons of SOA’s spin-off series, Mayans M.C., is also available to binge on Showmax.
Original African stories by local talent
Untying Kantai
Untying Kantai follows King Kantai, a man who has spent 30 years of his life working hard to provide for his family, only to be conned out of his life savings. Stream from 9 May, with new episodes weekly.
Big Girl Small World
Stream the new Kenyan romcom series Big Girl Small World from 8 May, with new episodes every week.
Empini S1
Stream the Showmax Original drama series Empini from 23 May 2024.
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. All the episodes are streaming on Showmax.
The Illuminated
The Showmax Original docuseries The Illuminated explores different religious movements in South Africa. All episodes now streaming.
Koek S1
The crime comedy Koek, starring Cindy Swanepoel. All the episodes are streaming on Showmax.
Ekhaya Backpackers S1
Stream the Showmax Original comedy series Ekhaya Backpackers. All the episodes are now streaming.
RHONairobi S2: Your favourite queens plus 3 new faces
Big Girl Small World, coming soon
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