1 November 2019
The Passage S1
Doctors hunting for the ultimate cure to all of humankind’s disease realise the answer they’re looking for lies in a 250-year-old man living in a cave in Bolivia. It turns out that he’s a vampire, and he turns one of the doctors into Patient Zero for the virus that can potentially save people from any and all illnesses.
A few years on, and the virus is being tested through medical trials on death-row inmates, who’ve been incentivised with reduced sentences. They’ve all been infected with the virus – but what the scientists don’t realise is that these half-human, half-vampires are developing superhuman strength and telepathic powers – and they want to escape.
But then the scientists realise that they’ve been making a terrible mistake. They should have been testing the virus/vaccine on a child all along. Where to find a child who no one will notice is missing? That’s where ex-Special Forces agent Brad Wolgast comes in. He’s tasked with kidnapping a recently orphaned 10-year-old girl called Amy, but he can’t bring himself to do it. Instead, he and Amy go on the run, and develop a father-daughter bond on the way.
This bond is the strength of the show, writes the Guardian: “The developing father-daughter bond between Brad and Amy (a performance by 12-year-old Saniyya Sidney that belies her years and the fact that her character description for such a sturdy workhorse of a production surely comprised two words at most: ‘Sassy, scrappy’) … pulls it all together. Sidney and Gosselaar have real chemistry, sparking and bantering but nailing their (unsentimental) emotional moments as they grieve their losses. They lift the credibility of the whole thing, and are far better than they need to be.”
Original African stories by local talent
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. 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.
The Winning Ticket, a Showmax Original
Youngins S1 episodes 1-20 recap
More Mzansi gold
Youngins Season 1 episodes 31-33 recap: Revelations
Amo and Mahlatse become a couple, Tumelo ditches Sefako, and Khaya sees both Sefako and Principal Mthembu in a new light in episodes 31-33 of Showmax Original Youngins.
Interview: Knock knock, it’s Youngins’ Tshepo!
Tshepo Matlala talks about how he brings class clown Tshepo’s jokes to life, and what’s behind the mask, in Showmax Original Youngins.
Siyabonga Thwala stars in action-packed Empini
Showmax announces new action-drama series Empini, starring three-times SAFTA winner Siyabonga Thwala. Premieres 23 May on Showmax.
The Mommy Club S2 episode 9 recap: Mrs Mops’ launch event
In episode 9 of The Mommy Club, Mrs Mops launches her skincare range and Barbra and Mantshi make amends. New episodes every Monday.