3 February 2020
The New Pope
This highly anticipated follow-up to the Emmy-nominated 2016 series, The Young Pope, sees Jude Law reprise his Golden Globe-nominated role as Pope Pius XIII, with Oscar nominee John Malkovich now leading the cast as Pope John Paul III (aka the The New Pope), who ascends to the throne while Pius is lying in a coma.
Silvio Orlando, Cécile de France, Javier Cámara and Ludivine Sagnier return in their roles from The Young Pope. Ulrich Thomsen (Banshee, The Black List) joins the cast this season, and look out for guest stars Sharon Stone and Marilyn Manson.
Once again helmed by legendary Italian director Paolo Sorrentino (writer/director of Oscar-winning foreign language film The Great Beauty), the series has already started collecting awards on the festival circuit, including at Venice, and made #3 on IMDB’s list of The Ten Most Anticipated TV shows of 2020.
The Guardian described the New Pope as “another deep dive into the hidden world of the Vatican City, marvelling at its mystique with agnostic fervour.”
Indiewire hailed it as “gorgeous and outrageous… one of the most unique, enigmatic, and exhilarating television experiences that you can watch for depth, for fun, or for a wild combination of both.”
Original African stories by local talent
4Play
4Play follows four men who, despite their chaotic personal lives, find friendship, love and perseverance in Nairobi’s concrete jungle. Stream from 21 November, with new episodes every Thursday.
Made in Kenya
Die Tollie & Manila Show
A bold talk show where SA celebs join drag queens Tollie Parton and Manila von Teez for an evening of conversation and games… in drag. Stream now, with new episodes every Monday.
Made in South Africa
The Station Strangler
The Station Strangler is a true-crime documentary investigating the serial killer who is believed to have killed 21 young boys and one adult from the late 80s to the mid-90s on the Cape Flats. Now available to stream.
Made in South Africa
Black & Blue S1
Black & Blue, a Showmax Original police-based mockumentary series, now streaming, with new episode every Wednesday.
Made in Kenya
Ubuthe Uzobuya
Ubuthe Uzobuya delves into the lives of couples torn apart when one partner abruptly disappears without explanation. Stream now, with new episodes every Tuesday.
Made in South Africa
Princess on a Hill
Princess on a Hill is a compelling drama series that explores themes of power, ambition, and the cost of success. Stream now, with new episodes every Thursday.
Made in Nigeria
Brasse Vannie Kaap
Brasse Vannie Kaap is a documentary about the iconic, game-changing 90s group who helped make hip hop South African. Stream now on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Soft Life
Soft Life follows Owami who enters into the secretive world of high-society companionship. Landing on Showmax soon!
Made in South AfricaYoungins S2, coming to Showmax
Soft Life, coming to Showmax
More Mzansi gold
Eye-opening homegrown documentaries to stream
These unmissable South African shows and movies deliver surprising insights on the country we’re living in today.
Made in South Africa
See the must-watch trailer for Unfollowed Season 2
Showmax has released the trailer for Unfollowed S2, featuring SA celebs who have been “cancelled.” Hosted by Spitch Nzawumbi, S2 lands on 27 November.
Made in South Africa20+ addictive South African reality shows to stream
Stream Die Tollie & Manila Show, The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice, The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip and more of South Africa’s best reality shows on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
South African sitcom showdown: Hotel vs Taktiek
The Afrikaans sitcoms Hotel and Taktiek, both in the style of The Office, have gained growing popularity among local audiences. But which one should you watch first?
Made in South Africa