29 November 2018
Praise be, Margaret Atwood is working on the sequel to the Handmaid’s Tale
Update: Stream The Handmaid’s Tale S1-4 first on Showmax
Other than the sad news of Stan Lee’s passing and perhaps the small mishap of opening the door to Lena Dunham’s “tragic” life in her most recent profile, the month of November has been kind to us movie and TV obsessed fans.
Sometime in mid-November, HBO teased a #ForTheThrone trailer, while also announcing the release date of the finale season of Game of Thrones, and April 2019 it is. And if you think I’ll waste my precious time binge-watching on all the seven seasons that are currently streaming on Showmax, then you are absolutely right.
And just this past weekend, Disney and the immortal voice of James Earl Jones blessed us all with the first teaser trailer of the much anticipated live-action Lion King remake (but film purists insist in reminding us that it’s actually CGI, not live action, let us live a little, John). Summer 2019, here, you can have my lunch money.
To wrap it all up in a nice little bow, Margaret Atwood, the acclaimed author of The Handmaid’s Tale (upon which the Emmy winning series of the same name is based) revealed yesterday to her 1.93 million followers on Twitter that she is writing a sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale…dramatic pause…and it will be released in September 2019.
Ladies and gentlemen, this right here is a tweet to be immortalised somewhere in the history books.
The Testament, as the sequel is called, is set 15 years after Offred’s last scene in the first novel and is told from the perspective of three female characters. According to Atwood, The Testament will answer almost all the questions she’s been asked about the Gilead and its inner workings. And apparently, it’s based on the world we are living in!
I can’t wait to be “broken anew” and mesmerised by the stories in this new book, and especially the new phrases that it will unleash upon us all. My personal favourite, of course, from The Handmaid’s Tale has always been “Praise be” because I get to throw it anywhere to anyone, and then for a moment relish their confusion.
Hear me out before you judge me, anyone who’s not watching The Handmaid’s Tale deserves as much punishment as they can get. And if you thought Season 1 was brutal, wait until you watch June’s defiant spirit broken into pieces until she’s no more than a woman “hiding within herself” and running away from her guilt and the pain she has caused.
The second season of The Handmaid’s Tale will teach you, slowly, painfully and harrowingly that hope is a tragedy. Oh, yes, this will shake you.
If you had planned to watch less TV in 2019, imma need you to strike that off your New Year resolutions and probably stick to the usual remotely achievable things like signing up for pilates classes or giving up social media because “we really want to be in touch with our existence and the universe.” Praise be to 2019, we shall march, and TV shows and movies we shall watch.
The Handmaid’s Tale S1 and S2 are streaming on Showmax.
Original African stories by local talent
Unfollowed S1-2
Unfollowed examines cancel culture in social media through real-life stories of South African celebs. Stream S2 now, with new episodes weekly.
Made in South Africa
What Will People Say? Ghana
This reality series puts love in the spotlight as hopeful romantics step into the dating arena, guided by charismatic host Sika Osei.
Made in Ghana
Take Me Home S2
Take Me Home is a Kenyan reality series that follows the lives of three young couples on the brink of breaking up as they confront their pasts. Premieres 31 January 2025.
Made in Kenya
Under the Influence
Under the Influence follows Dami, a fresh university graduate whose life takes an unexpected turn after an argument with his brother. Stream now, with new episodes released every Friday.
Made in Nigeria
Reënboogrant
Reënboogrant is a Tshwane-set teen telenovela centred on the Brink family. Stream now, with new episodes every Wednesday.
Made in South Africa
The Hot Seat S1
The Hot Seat promises bold banter as some of Kenya’s biggest celebrities face the heat. Stream now, with new episodes weekly.
Made in Kenya
Nairobi Bachelor S1
Nairobi Bachelor follows the journey of young bachelors and singletons on a quest to find their perfect match. Stream now, with new episodes every Friday.
Made in Kenya
Spooksoeker S1
When Warno Alberts turns 15, he suddenly becomes aware of ghosts in his dorpie – and it’s now his job to banish them. Stream now, with new episodes every Thursday.
Made in South AfricaStream the final season of Adulting
The Mommy Club S3, coming soon
More Mzansi gold
Luthando BU Mthembu on Vuyani’s life shift in Adulting S3
Luthando BU Mthembu discusses Vuyani’s growth, sex scenes and what to expect in Adulting S3, now streaming on Showmax. New episodes land every Saturday on Showmax.
South African
Adulting goals for the guys in 2025
As Adulting Season 3 begins, Bonga, Eric, Vuyani and Mpho are stepping it up and navigating major life changes. Here are their biggest goals for 2025.
Made in South AfricaAdulting S1-3
Adulting follows four varsity friends on their journey to find love and success in modern-day South Africa. New episodes land every Saturday on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Boer Soek ‘n Vrou S16
Ten eligible farmers are looking for love. We travel across the country to visit them on their farms and to find out what they are looking for in a partner.
Made in South Africa