17 July 2018
Stream the Downton Abbey boxset before the movie hits cinemas
Update: Downton Abbey is no longer on Showmax. Find your next British binge in the series catalogue here.
Love a bit of British snobbery, with a liberal sprinkling of snooty one-liners and dry put-downs? (Who doesn’t, right)? Get your period drama fix by returning to the Crawley family’s Yorkshire country manor when you stream the full boxset of Downton Abbey, Seasons 1 to 6, on Showmax ahead of the upcoming big-screen adaptation of the series.
Written by Julian Fellowes (who also brought us the four-part miniseries Titanic and the 2013 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet), who is also going to have a hand in the film, Downton Abbey won 15 Emmy Awards and three Golden Globes during its run.
The full main cast of the show is set to return – from Maggie Smith as Violet the Dowager Countess to Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary and Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham. And let’s not forget the Grantham’s employees, since without the attentions of the cook Mrs Patmore (Lesley Nicol), butler Mr Carson (Jim Carter), and the rest of the downstairs staff, the Crawleys would never survive.
The one cast member who’s not set to return is Lily James as Lady Rose, a cousin on Violet’s side, who is sent to Downton when her parents are serving the empire in India. Rose was sent to the States during the series, so “it would be far-fetched to bring her back,” James told PEOPLE magazine.
Craving more period drama? Check out our list of the top picks on Showmax below, and don’t miss our top-class British series while you’re at it.
https://stories.showmax.com/5-british-period-dramas-fit-for-royalty/
https://stories.showmax.com/the-best-british-series-to-stream/
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.