Top shows on Showmax East Africa in November 2019

Showmax Kenya is pulling out all the stops in November, with some exclusive series you won’t find anywhere else, some express from the US or the broadcast on DStv, and some awesome series you can binge to your heart’s content. Plus, there’s a long list of new movies and some riveting new doccies, as well as the local content you’ve come to love.

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Editor’s choice: International series

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What We Do in the Shadows S1 | First on Showmax | Binge from 31 October

From Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords) and Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok), the hit mockumentary What We Do In The Shadows is a look into the daily (or rather, nightly) lives of three vampires who’ve lived together on Staten Island, New York for over 100 years – more than enough time to get on each other’s nerves.

#31 on Rotten Tomatoes’ list of the Best TV Shows of 2019 So Far; 94% critics score, Rotten Tomatoes | 8.4, IMDb

Perpetual Grace, LTD S1 | First on Showmax | Binge from 1 November

This 10-episode modern noir drama follows a young grifter as he attempts to prey upon Pastor Byron Brown (Oscar winner Sir Ben Kingsley). But the pastor and his wife – known to their parishioners as Pa and Ma – turn out to be far more dangerous than he suspects.

92% critics rating, Rotten Tomatoes; Kingsley is “my odds-on favourite to win the Emmy for best actor in 2020” – The Hollywood Reporter

The Deuce S3: The Final Season | First on Showmax | Binge from 1 November

Following the interconnected lives of Times Square’s barkeeps, prostitutes, pimps, police, mobsters, porn actors and producers, the eight-episode third season of The Deuce brings the series to a dramatic conclusion. It’s 1985 and VHS has just overtaken film as the primary medium for porn production and distribution, while the lure of the California sunshine, the city’s aggressive takeover of commercial sex properties in Times Square, and the devastating impact of the Aids epidemic mark the end of an era.

94% critics rating, Rotten Tomatoes; From The Wire creators George Pelecanos and David Simon.

The Good Fight S3 | Binge from 1 November

Loved The Good Wife (and binged all seven seasons)? Thankfully Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski in an Emmy-nominated role) and Lucca Quinn (Cush Jumbo in a Critics Choice nominated role) are back in the sequel, The Good Fight, which picks up a year later as a financial scam wipes out Diane’s life savings, and good reputation, forcing her to start from scratch at the historically black law firm, Reddick, Boseman, & Kolstad. In the third season, the show doesn’t hold back from real-life political commentary, from impeaching the president to the #MeToo movement.

#27 on Rotten Tomatoes’ list of the Best TV Shows of 2019 So Far; Best Drama Series Critics Choice nominee, 2019; Two-time Emmy nominee

Catch-22 | Binge from 1 November

Based on the classic Joseph Heller novel, Catch-22 follows the adventures and misadventures of a US air squadron in Italy in World War II. Christopher Abbott (The Sinner, Girls) is Yossarian, a bombardier, whose frantic obsession every time he goes up on a mission is “to come down alive”. More than the retreating Germans, the real enemy for Yossarian and his rag-tag bunch of friends is the bureaucracy of the military, inverting logic at every turn.

The pinnacle of this is Catch-22, a military by-law which states that if you willingly fly your missions, you’re crazy, and don’t have to fly them; all you have to do is ask. But if you ask, that proves you’re sane, and so you have to fly them. Oscar winner George Clooney stars as the barking mad, parade-obsessed Scheisskopf and Golden Globe winner Hugh Laurie (House) is the mellow, slightly checked-out Major de Coverley. 

#52 on Rotten Tomatoes’ list of the Best TV Shows of 2019 So Far; Nominated for two Emmys, 2019

His Dark Materials S1 | First on Showmax | New episodes weekly, express from the US, from 5 November

Lyra’s search for a kidnapped friend uncovers a sinister plot involving stolen children, setting off a quest through parallel worlds to understand a mysterious phenomenon called Dust. The fantasy’s cast includes child stars Dafne Keen and Amir Wilson as Lyra and Will, supported by Golden Globe winner Ruth Wilson (The Affair, Luther), Golden Globe nominee James McAvoy (X-Men), and BAFTA winner Helen McCrory (Harry Potter, The Queen). Oscar winner Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech) is one of the directors.

The new fantasy from HBO (Game of Thrones); 100% critics rating, Rotten Tomatoes; Based on author Philip Pullman’s award-winning trilogy of the same name.

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Editor’s choice: Documentaries 

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Saudi Women’s Driving School | First on Showmax | 8 November 

In June 2018, King Salman formally lifted a decades-long ban on female drivers in Saudi Arabia. This just-launched HBO documentary centres on The Saudi Driving School, said to be the world’s largest driving school catering exclusively to women. With unprecedented access to Saudi women as they embrace a new way of life, the documentary lifts the veil on a new wave of female Uber and race-car drivers, not to mention some women who were driving long before the ban was lifted, suggesting freedom is contagious.

“Inspiring… Surprising and moving” Guardian; “In equal measures encouraging and disturbing.” Forbes

Buddha in Africa | 11 November

In a Chinese Buddhist orphanage in Africa, a Malawian teenager finds himself torn between his African roots and Chinese upbringing. Once a star performer with dreams of becoming a martial arts hero like Jet Li, Enock is now in his final year of school and has to make some tough decisions about his future. Will he return to his home village or study abroad in Taiwan? Set against China’s expanding influence on the continent, the award-winning documentary is directed by South African Nicole Schafer. 

Best South African Documentary, Durban International Film Festival, 2019; Opening film, Encounters Documentary Film Festival 2019

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Editor’s choice: Movies

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Instant Family (2018) | Express after M-Net | 4 November

A couple fosters three tough kids in this sweet comedy that redefines the idea of family. Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne star, and the movie is based on the director Sean Anders’s own experiences.

The 15:17 to Paris (2018) | 7 November

In 2015, three young Americans travelling through Europe put their lives on the line to tackle a gun-wielding terrorist on the train to Paris. This is their story, produced and directed by Clint Eastwood.

Bumblebee (2018) | 7 November

On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee the robot finds refuge in a junkyard in a small California town. On the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, Charlie Watson discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken.

Game Night (2018) | 21 November

A group of friends who host regular game nights find themselves in over their heads when one of them is kidnapped. At first they think it’s all part of the game, but soon they’re not sure who or what to believe.

Show Dogs (2018) | 28 November

A human detective and his Rottweiler partner go undercover to infiltrate an exclusive dog show to solve one of their biggest cases yet.

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Editor’s choice: Kenyan highlights

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Ma-Empress S1 |11 November

This series follows five close female friends as they navigate through life. The show uses the characters’ life experiences to highlight issues affecting women in society today.

My Two Wives S1-4 | 18 November

Modern meets traditional customs in this much-talked-about drama series about a man trapped in a polygamous marriage. He married one of his wives by choice, while he was forced to marry the other.

Socialites S1 | 21 November

The women in this female-led show pursue popularity and try everything to improve their lot and live the high life.

Selina S4 | New episodes every Friday

Selina was sold off to work as a maid by her evil stepmother, but her employers have noticed that she has the ambition and talent to do much more with her life.

Pete S2 | New episodes

Funzi Island is under threat as leader Mzee Dalu has yet to name one of his feuding sons, Jasiri and Mbura, as his successor. Meanwhile, a stranger arrives on the Island in search of a magical ring and wins Jasiri over.

Njoro Wa Uba | New episodes

Take a look into the world of a young father who loses his lucrative career and becomes a Nairobi taxi driver to make ends meet.

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Also launching on Showmax this November

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1 November 

Deep Water S1  | The Young Pope  | Teachers S2  | Foursome S1-2  | Love Daily S1 | New Girl S1-7  | Legion S1-2  | In The Dark  | The Village S1 

Narco Wars: In Their Own Words |  I am MLK Jr |  Escobar Exposed  |  Rebel Pope |

The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water  (2015)  |  Liz & Dick (2012)  |  The Transformers Collection

4 November

Harrow S1

Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016)  |  Infinitely Polar Bear (2014)  

7 November

Kings  (2017)  |  Staten Island Summer  (2015)  |  22 Jump Street (2014)  |  Third Person (2013)  |  21 Jump Street (2012)  |  Mean Girls 2  (2011)  |  The Twilight Saga: New Moon  (2009)  

8 November

Carnage S1

11 November

The Mark (2012)  |  The Mark 2 (2013)  | The Faith Collection

14 November

I Still See You (First on Showmax)   (2018)  |  Goat  (2016)  |  Fort Bliss  (2014)  |  Touchback (2011)  |  Bee Movie  (2007)  |  The Final Season (2007)  |  Nacho Libre  (2006)  |  Napoleon Dynamite  (2004)  |  EuroTrip  (2004)  

18 November

For the People S1  | Station 19 S1 

Grease Live!  (2016)  |  Of Mind and Music (2014)  |  Life of a King (2013)  |  Saturday Night Fever  (1977)  

21 November

American Animals  (2018)   |  On Chesil Beach  (2017)  |  Everything, Everything (2017)  |  Rise of the Guardians  (2012)  |  Death at a Funeral (2010)  

25 November

The Row  (2018)  |  Valkyrie (2008)  |  The Kite Runner  (2007)  |  Munich  (2005)  

28 November 

Project Almanac  (2015)  |  Jackass 3.5  (2011)  |  Drillbit Taylor  (2008)  |  The Tiger’s Tail (2006)