3 February 2020
The New Pope
This highly anticipated follow-up to the Emmy-nominated 2016 series, The Young Pope, sees Jude Law reprise his Golden Globe-nominated role as Pope Pius XIII, with Oscar nominee John Malkovich now leading the cast as Pope John Paul III (aka the The New Pope), who ascends to the throne while Pius is lying in a coma.
Silvio Orlando, Cécile de France, Javier Cámara and Ludivine Sagnier return in their roles from The Young Pope. Ulrich Thomsen (Banshee, The Black List) joins the cast this season, and look out for guest stars Sharon Stone and Marilyn Manson.
Once again helmed by legendary Italian director Paolo Sorrentino (writer/director of Oscar-winning foreign language film The Great Beauty), the series has already started collecting awards on the festival circuit, including at Venice, and made #3 on IMDB’s list of The Ten Most Anticipated TV shows of 2020.
The Guardian described the New Pope as “another deep dive into the hidden world of the Vatican City, marvelling at its mystique with agnostic fervour.”
Indiewire hailed it as “gorgeous and outrageous… one of the most unique, enigmatic, and exhilarating television experiences that you can watch for depth, for fun, or for a wild combination of both.”
Original African stories by local talent

Untied S1
Untied explores the deeply personal and often complex experience of divorce, told through the voices of women who have lived it. Stream from 24 June on Showmax.

Reckless S1
Reckless follows a pair of young brothers who find themselves at a crossroads when a tragic accident changes their lives forever. Stream from 23 June, 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.

The Real Housewives of Durban Seasons 1-5
Our eThekwini queens are back with a brand-new season. Stream Season 5 now, with new episodes every Friday.

Unfollowed S1-2
Unfollowed examines cancel culture in social media through real-life stories of South African celebs. Stream S1-2 now on Showmax.

The Mommy Club S1-3
The Mommy Club sees glamorous Jozi momfluencers navigating the the cutthroat world of “it” moms. All episodes, including both reunion episodes, are streaming on Showmax.
The Real Housewives of Lagos S5, now streaming
Cheta M, now streaming
The best of West Africa

Iyanu S1
When a teenage orphan discovers she has magical powers, she embarks on a remarkable journey with her friends to discover the truth about the evil lurking in her homeland.

Cheta M Season 2: The story so far
Plot, betrayals and major twists on Cheta M Season 2, now streaming on Showmax, with new episodes every Wednesday.

Iyanu comes to Showmax in June with an all-Nigerian voice cast
Iyanu, led by Serah Johnson, alongside Okey Jude, and Samuel Kugbiyi, arrives fresh off its success as the number-one show on Cartoon Network. Premiering on Showmax 13 June.

Nigerian Idol 10 live shows begin!
The highly anticipated Nigerian Idol Season 10 premiered its live shows on Sunday, 25 May. Live shows stream every week, at 7pm on Sundays.