10 November 2022
The Wife S1-3
The Wife series is a Showmax Original telenovela that follows the lives of the eight Zulu brothers, a formidable crime family, through the eyes of the women they marry.
The Wife Season 1
The first season is inspired by the novel Hlomu the Wife, a bestseller by Dudu Busani-Dube. Rising star Mbalenhle Mavimbela (Skeem Saam, Isipho) plays “Hlomu the wife”, the journalist who falls in love with a taxi driver, not realising that when you marry a man, you marry his secrets. Her love interest, Mqhele, is played by Bonko Khoza, who burst onto the acting scene as Jabz in the multi-award-winning film Necktie Youth and has since appeared in the likes of Professionals and the Emmy-nominated Roots.
The Wife Season 2
The second season is inspired by the follow-up novel, Zandile the Resolute. The role of Zandile, the fierce matriarch of the Zulu family, is played by Khanyi Mbau (Happiness is a Four-Letter Word) and Mondli Makhoba (Umkhokha) reprises his role as Nkosana, the eldest Zulu brother in The Wife.
The Wife is being produced by Stained Glass, the company behind SAFTA-winning shows like eHostela and Uzalo, South Africa’s most-watched soap opera.
The Wife Season 3
The Wife Season 3, based on Naledi His Love, dropped on Showmax on 10 November 2022, with the first three episodes landing at 5am. Three new episodes will land every Thursday into 2023.
The season kicks off with Naledi, played by Gaisang K Noge, Qhawe’s love, having been kidnapped and the Zulu brothers’ crimes making front-page news. Wiseman Mncube takes over from Bonko Khoza as Mqhele, whose love story with Hlomu remains complicated.
The Wife: Behind the Veil
Go behind the scenes of The Wife to find out more about the Zulu brothers and the women who love them as we pay homage to Zulu Thursdays, the 5am club and the mbuba nation.
Watch both seasons of The Wife online on Showmax now, and stream the behind-the-scenes special The Wife: Behind the Veil.
The Wife Season 1 Trailer
The Wife Season 2 Trailer
More from South Africa

Sparky Xulu channels real emotion as Zenzele in Empini Season 2
Sparky Xulu talks about his role as Zenzele in the Showmax Original series Empini S2, a role he says is shaped by personal loss. Catch new episodes every Tuesday on Showmax.

Youngins stars tease the final season at Showmax Youth Day event
Youngins stars Kealeboga Masango and Toka Mtabane recently confirmed that Season 3 will be coming to Showmax. They reflect on its cultural impact and teased what viewers can expect in the upcoming season.

Minnie Ntuli talks about joining The Real Housewives of Durban S5
Minnie opens up about joining Season 5 of The Real Housewives of Durban, and where things stand with Londie. New episodes land Friday on Showmax.

Where to see the cast of Shaka iLembe S1-2 on Showmax
From Nomzamo Mbatha as Queen Nandi to Lemogang Tsipa as King Shaka Zulu and Thembinkosi Mthembu as King Dingiswayo, see the cast of Shaka iLembe in some of their other acclaimed roles on Showmax.