
Blood Psalms
In Ancient Africa, the young Princess Zazi must save herself and her people from the end of the world. She faces warring tribes, angry gods - and her own father. Now streaming.
In Ancient Africa, one thousand years after the fall of Atlantis, the five surviving tribes face another danger: a prophecy which speaks of the end of the world.
Princess Zazi, daughter of the Akachi king, finds herself at the centre of the prophecy. She must face people plotting for power, angry gods and many dark secrets to save herself and her people. She doesn't know that she's at the centre of a blood pact made by her father with the god Heka years before, one that will shortly be coming home to roost.
Blood Psalms is a fantasy epic unlike anything made in South Africa before, created by award-winning duo Jahmil X.T. Qubeka and Layla Swart.
The incredible cast includes SAFTA winners like Mothusi Magano, Bongile Mantsai, Hamilton Dlamini and Zolisa Xaluva, as well as favourites like Thando Thabete, Faith Baloyi and Sello Maake Ka Ncube. Bokang Phelane takes on the role of a lifetime as Princess Zazi.
All episodes of Blood Psalms are now streaming.
Meet the cast

Senator Jabari (Richard Lukunku)
Senator Jabari is sent from the powerful Great Nziwemabwe to attend the King’s wedding. But he has another agenda: to regain their lost Northern Territories. Armed with superior weapons and a Golden Army, the Senator is a force to be reckoned with.

Queen Assili (Faith Baloyi)
Queen Assili is ruler of the mystical Uchawi kingdom and current Magi of the order, a position she came to through murder. She can control the elements - but when she cannot bring the rains, she must plot to keep her control of the king.

Sithenjwa (Zikhona Sodlaka)
The consort of Senator Jabari of Great Nziwemabwe, Sithenjwa is a woman with many secrets. Her past is the key to a central mystery in the story, as she hides her real intentions in coming to the Akachi kingdom.

General Toka (Zolisa Xaluva)
The well-respected general of the Akachi army, Toka is a man of many secrets. Born a Ku’ua, it has taken him many years to gain the trust of the Akachi. However, he has made many mistakes. He will play an integral role in the cataclysm to come.

Qotha (Hamilton Dlamini)
The heir to the Ku’ua Chiefdom, Qotha is a calculating man. Not a fan of war, he prefers rationality and fairness. He is aware that his father prefers his brother, Hlengu, and struggles to maintain respect within the tribe.

Hlengu (Bongile Mantsai)
The second-born son of Chief Xemantso of the warring Ku’ua tribe, Hlengu longs to return his tribe to their former warrior glory. He is not the heir to the chiefdom, however, and tussles with how to usurp his level-headed brother, Qotha.

Burutti (Mandisa Nduna)
Burutti lives among the mysterious Chini tribe, “the cursed ones”. She has strange dreams about a mysterious woman, sensing that they are somehow connected. Burutti does not yet know the extent of her powers, or the other secrets about her past.

Nkamanzu (Sello Maake Ka Ncube)
Nkamanzu, King Letsha’s calculating uncle, has grown weary of a string of power-hungry Akachi kings. Once the king descends into madness, Nkamanzu strives to pick up the pieces and bring democracy to the realm.

King Letsha (Mothusi Magano)
Troubled and paranoid, King Letsha sacrificed his wife to fulfil his blood pact with the god of magic, Heka. Manipulated by Queen Assili, he believes that to save his throne, he must now also kill his daughter, Princess Zazi.

Zazi (Bokang Phelane)
Heir to the Akachi throne, Princess Zazi is the key to an ancient prophecy which predicts cataclysmic events triggered by her 18th birthday. As the day approaches, her father must decide whether to sacrifice her to save his throne - and she must decide how to fight back.
In the press
- Citypress
Blood Psalms takes SA by storm
"Created by the geniuses behind the movie Knuckle City, Jahmil Qubeka and Layla Swart, the Showmax series is a solid star-studded cast of all time."
- EWN
SA stars shine in #1 Showmax fantasy series Blood Psalms
"The first two episodes of the Showmax original fantasy series launched on Wednesday and already the show has shot to the number one spot on the streaming platform."
- TV Mzansi
Blood Psalms debuts with glowing reviews
"Without a doubt, the best TV show ever created in Africa."
More from Mzansi

Where to see the cast of Levels on Showmax
From Bonko Khoza as Steve to Lunathi Mampofu as Bongi and Melusi Mbele as Frans, see the cast of Levels in some of their acclaimed roles on Showmax.

Married at First Sight's Bongani on Portia, therapy and more
Bongani reflects on his journey on Married at First Sight Season 2. Catch new episodes every Sunday on Mzansi Magic and Showmax.

Nêrens, Noord-Kaap S1-2
When three estranged brothers reunite, secrets, heartbreak and the truth surrounding their mother’s death threaten the path to redemption.

Lebohang Lephatsoana on Tumelo’s journey in Youngins
Rising star Lebohang Lephatsoana delves into Tumelo's turbulent journey in Youngins Season 3, premiering on Showmax on Friday, 19 September 2025.

12 South African movies you've probably never seen
Sci-fi, drama, sex, romance, comedy - these homegrown hidden gems have it all. Stream them all on Showmax.

Ace your Matric exams with 10 Afrikaans series and movies
Looking for the less-sweat, more-fun way to study? Brush up your Afrikaans before exam time with these shows and movies.

10 Afrikaans movies to stream now
Looking for a fliek to stream? Whether you're after comedy or a serious drama, you'll find an excellent Afrikaans pick on Showmax.

“This was the most fun I’ve ever had on a set” - Liam Bosman on record-breaking Khaki Fever
Liam Bosman talks about his role in Khaki Fever, the record-breaking film streaming on Showmax, fresh from its sold-out premiere at the Silwerskermfees.
Stunning fantasy series now streaming

Chicago PD S12
Action-packed spin-off of the Chicago series, following two different units at the Chicago police department: uniformed cops and the Intelligence Unit.

Blockbuster Premier League weekend: Red vs Blue
Its Red v Blue this weekend, with three blockbuster fixtures lined up to keep you on the edge of your seat. Stream them all on Showmax Premier League.

Where to see the cast of Levels on Showmax
From Bonko Khoza as Steve to Lunathi Mampofu as Bongi and Melusi Mbele as Frans, see the cast of Levels in some of their acclaimed roles on Showmax.

Married at First Sight's Bongani on Portia, therapy and more
Bongani reflects on his journey on Married at First Sight Season 2. Catch new episodes every Sunday on Mzansi Magic and Showmax.

Nêrens, Noord-Kaap S1-2
When three estranged brothers reunite, secrets, heartbreak and the truth surrounding their mother’s death threaten the path to redemption.

Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr chat about Den of Thieves 2: Pantera
Expect “gorilla” war as Big Nick and Donnie team up in heist movie Den of Thieves 2: Pantera! “A silverback gorilla like Nick needs another silverback gorilla to wrestle with,” hints Gerard Butler.

Lebohang Lephatsoana on Tumelo’s journey in Youngins
Rising star Lebohang Lephatsoana delves into Tumelo's turbulent journey in Youngins Season 3, premiering on Showmax on Friday, 19 September 2025.

Stream the biggest 2025 Emmy winners on Showmax
The Pitt, Hacks and Somebody Somewhere are among the stand-outs of the 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards - all available to stream on Showmax.
More Showmax Originals

Lebohang Lephatsoana on Tumelo’s journey in Youngins
Rising star Lebohang Lephatsoana delves into Tumelo's turbulent journey in Youngins Season 3, premiering on Showmax on Friday, 19 September 2025.

“This was the most fun I’ve ever had on a set” - Liam Bosman on record-breaking Khaki Fever
Liam Bosman talks about his role in Khaki Fever, the record-breaking film streaming on Showmax, fresh from its sold-out premiere at the Silwerskermfees.

Khaki Fever (2025)
A group of game rangers challenge each other to see who can bed the most tourists during the holiday season in this raunchy comedy.

Rianza Snyman on Vaal Riviera and being a stay-at-home mom
Rianza, the matriarch of the Snymans, talks Vaal Riviera and her family. Catch the reality series now on Showmax, with new episodes every Tuesdays.
Behind the characters in Blood Psalms
The heritage that inspired Blood Psalms
Latest Stories

Blockbuster Premier League weekend: Red vs Blue

Showmax presents September 5: A riveting look at a pivotal moment in news history

From doubt to dynamo: Micky van de Ven's rise at Tottenham

Mhlongo's bold prediction: Pirates to clinch MTN8 Title for a fourth year running

Glory awaits: From MTN8 Kings to Manchester's Crown, football's biggest stage is on Showmax

Art, money and power: a blueprint for The Brutalist

Uncover the soul of South African football with the boxset of Giants

Rianza Snyman on Vaal Riviera and being a stay-at-home mom

The best Premier League signings of 2025's summer window

SA siblings’ debut film chosen for BFI London Film Festival

Simo Magwaza on his challenging role as De Klerk in Youngins

Christopher Jaftha gets top billing in raunchy Khaki Fever

Nkululeko Mahlangu on Makoto, marriage and more

Alexander Isak a great option for LFC's attack, say former Liverpool striker David Ngog

What to watch on Showmax in September 2025

Kate and Annie take charge in Ten Pound Poms Season 2

Tshepo Miya talks about being on Married at First Sight

Vilakazi's verdict: Sundowns to "edge it" in high-stakes MTN8 semi-final

Khaki Fever and more sexy Afrikaans movies and series

Rivalries reignite in thrilling Premier League games on Showmax

5 patients you’ll meet in The Pitt Season 1
.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Ilana Glazer delivers in Babes

Makoto on what really went down in her Married at First Sight journey

Palesa Mphaki on being Married at First Sight, her husband and more