10 July 2017
Taboo is now streaming, FIRST on Showmax
- 8.7/10 rating on IMDB / 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes
- Hailed by The Guardian as one of the best TV series of 2017 so far for its “heady stew of gothic revenge tale and colonial critique”
- Starring Oscar-nominee Tom Hardy; co-written by Oscar-nominee Steven Knight; directed by The Killing’s Kristoffer Nyholm; and executive produced by four-time Oscar nominee Ridley Scott
You can now binge-watch Taboo, Tom Hardy’s hit new series, first and only on Showmax in Africa.
Hardy (Oscar-nominated for The Revenant but best known as Mad Max) plays James Keziah Delaney, long presumed dead when he returns home from Africa to 19th-century London to inherit what is left of his father’s shipping empire.
In their round-up of the best television of 2017 so far, The Guardian called Taboo “a heady stew of gothic revenge tale and colonial critique,” while The Los Angeles Times wrote, “The theme here of big business versus individual morality, and the idea that sometimes the most eccentric among us are not crazy — they just know more — make Taboo one of the more unique and thoughtful offerings of the new year.”
At the time of writing, Taboo has an 8.7/10 rating on IMDB, and an 80% rating from critics and 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Hardy created the dark family mystery with his father Chips, and Steven Knight – Hardy’s third collaboration with the Oscar nominee following the multi-award-winning film Locke and the BAFTA and Royal Television Society-winning TV series Peaky Blinders.
In addition to Hardy, Taboo’s all-star cast includes Game of Thrones’ Jonathan Pryce, Oona Chaplin, Jefferson Hall, and Lucian Msamati; Emmy-nominee Michael Kelly (House of Cards); BAFTA-nominee Stephen Graham (This Is England ‘90); and BAFTA winners Tom Hollander (The Night Manager) and Jason Watkins (The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies).
Kristoffer Nyholm (The Killing) directed half the eight-part series, with Scott Free’s four-time Oscar-nominee Ridley Scott executive producing for FX and BBC One, who have already confirmed a second season.
Taboo is just one of a number of acclaimed series being added to Showmax in July; the Golden Globe-nominated Westworld started streaming last week and the Golden Globe and BAFTA-nominated The Night Of starts on 17 July 2017.
Original African stories by local talent
Untying Kantai
Untying Kantai follows King Kantai, a man who has spent 30 years of his life working hard to provide for his family, only to be conned out of his life savings. Stream from 9 May, with new episodes weekly.
Big Girl Small World
Stream the new Kenyan romcom series Big Girl Small World from 8 May, with new episodes every week.
Empini S1
Stream the Showmax Original drama series Empini from 23 May 2024.
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. All the episodes are streaming on Showmax.
The Illuminated
The Showmax Original docuseries The Illuminated explores different religious movements in South Africa. All episodes now streaming.
Koek S1
The crime comedy Koek, starring Cindy Swanepoel. All the episodes are streaming on Showmax.
Ekhaya Backpackers S1
Stream the Showmax Original comedy series Ekhaya Backpackers. All the episodes are now streaming.
The Roast of Minnie Dlamini: The roast everyone's been waiting on
Empini, coming soon
More Mzansi gold
What to watch on Showmax in May 2024
Stream Barbie and Oppenheimer in South Africa now, only on Showmax. Plus a ton more great stuff coming in May.
The Mommy Club Season 2 Episode 11 recap: Cutting through
In episode 11 of The Mommy Club S2, Hermajesty hosts a ‘Healing with Hermajesty’ night picnic that turns sour. New episodes every Monday.
“This type of story has never been told in Afrikaans.” Koek director
SAFTA and Silwerskerm-winning director and cinematographer Johannes Pieter Nel talks about directing the critically acclaimed crime comedy Koek, now streaming on Showmax.
Youngins Season 1 Episodes 34-36: The heist
After Khaya reveals that he saw underaged photos in the principal’s messages, he and his friends plot revenge in episodes 34-36 of Showmax Original Youngins.