3 June 2020
Shades of Blue S1-3
Jennifer Lopez and Ray Liotta make being bad cops look amazing in Shades of Blue. All three seasons are available to binge now.
Normally J-Lo takes on sweet, loveable roles. In this show, she’s as crooked and corrupt as the day is long as Detective Harlee Santos who bends the law to get her way … and fill her and her boss Lieutenant Wozniak’s pockets (Ray Liotta).
It’s dark and gritty – not just in terms of the visuals, but in terms of the writing too. You’re going to see a lot of hectic stuff, like bones being broken, teeth being filed down to make a corpse unidentifiable … not for kids or sensitive viewers.
Matt Zoller Seitz of vulture.com finds the balance of good and bad just perfect, saying, “It’s not a deep show, but it’s a sensationally effective one. It knows what it is and it rarely steps wrong. Its real strength is its keen moral compass. It has a message, but it’s not so much a cautionary tale as a piece of common sense. Something like: always tell the truth because it’s the easiest thing to remember.”
Original African stories by local talent
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. Two episodes now streaming, and the remaining two episodes land on 22 March 2024 on Showmax.
The Illuminated
The Showmax Original docuseries The Illuminated explores different religious movements in South Africa. Stream now, with new episodes every Wednesday.
Koek S1
The crime comedy Koek, starring Cindy Swanepoel, now streaming on Showmax, with new episodes every Thursday.
Ekhaya Backpackers S1
Stream the Showmax Original comedy series Ekhaya Backpackers, with new episodes every Thursday.
Cheta M
Cheta M explores the love story between Adanna and Nnanna, young lovers who battle the spiritual and political forces in their way. Stream now, with new episodes Wednesday to Friday.
Youngins S1
Stream Tshedza Pictures’s first teen drama, Showmax Original Youngins, with three new episodes every week.
Sadau Sisters S1
Rahma, Zainab, Aisha, and Fatima Sadau pull back the curtain on their family, fame, and lifestyle. Stream now on Showmax.
Tracking Thabo Bester: coming soon to Showmax
Red Ink: how did Bonko become The Butcher?
More Mzansi gold
Lorcia Cooper Kumalo from Red Ink on her intentions when choosing roles
SAFTA winner Lorcia Cooper Kumalo talks about her role as Detective Morapedi in Red Ink and her intentions when choosing roles.
Red Ink Season 1 episode 8 recap: Till we meet again
In the finale of Red Ink, Lucy learns the shocking news about Napoleon, evoking complex emotions. All the episodes are now streaming.
The Mommy Club S2 episode 6 recap: How to keep hustling
In episode 6 of The Mommy Club, Nozipho and Nunurai discuss business, while Hermajesty treats her daughter to a car shopping spree. New episodes every Monday on Showmax.
Former SAPS profiler on the murder that “stands out the most”
Former SAPS head profiler Dr Gérard Labuschagne discusses the true-crime documentary Original Sin: My Son The Killer, noting it as the most troubling case in his career.