6 May 2019
Love Shonda Rhimes? Watch these.
Feminism and female empowerment have become the holy grail of modern-day entertainment, with a number of TV shows and movies featuring, for the first time, strong female characters who challenge the status quo and prove that representation matters, even in the world of fiction – from Arya Stark’s kick-ass fierceness in Game of Thrones to June Osborne’s defiance in The Handmaid’s Tale to Annalise Keating’s gutsy brilliance in How to Get Away with Murder.
It’s certainly a great time to be alive, not only because of the empowerment we see on our screens, but because behind these great stories are female storytellers like Shonda Rhimes. Through her TV empire Shondaland, Rhimes has continued to create inspiring and complex female leads who are their own heroes, and who want nothing less than to dominate the world they live in. Through her powerful characters and bold storylines, Rhimes has taught us over and over that women don’t have to be saved to achieve what they want.
Love Shonda Rhimes? Watch these empowered women.
Original African stories by local talent
Vaal Riviera
Vaal Riviera follows four Afrikaans families living in the heart of Vaal River society, where family, business, car racing and legacy all come into play. Stream from 22 August, with new episodes on Tuesdays.
Made in South Africa
The ABC Killer
The ABC Killer is a twisty true-crime documentary series about serial killer Moses Sithole. Stream now on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
What if we believed the best can come from here?
Let’s rewrite the rules of what it means to be local.
Untied S1
Untied explores the deeply personal and often complex experience of divorce, told through the voices of women who have lived it. Stream now, with new episodes every Tuesday.
Made in South Africa
Reckless S1
Reckless follows a pair of young brothers who find themselves at a crossroads when a tragic accident changes their lives forever. Stream now, with new episodes every Monday and Tuesday.
Made in Kenya
The Mommy Club NBO
The Mommy Club NBO is the fifth instalment of the record-breaking Mommy Club franchise. Stream now, with new episodes every Friday.
Made in Kenya
Empini S1-2
Empini is a high-stakes, action-packed drama set in the ruthless, corrupt world of private security. Season 2 is now streaming, with new episodes every Tuesday.
Made in South Africa
Youngins S1-2
Stream Tshedza Pictures’s first teen drama, Showmax Original Youngins. S1 and S2 are ready to binge.
Made in South AfricaSA celebs open up about divorce on Untied
The action heats up on Empini
More Mzansi gold
Jojo dishes on her Real Housewives of Durban journey
Now that Season 5 of The Real Housewives of Durban has come to an end, Jojo opens up about her relationship with Nonku, and which cosmetic procedure is most like RHOD.
Made in South Africa10 South African true-crime series, ranked
From The ABC Killer to Tracking Thabo Bester, these true-crime documentary series explore some of South Africa’s darkest crime stories – all available to stream on Showmax.
Made in South AfricaMust-watch trailer: upcoming Showmax reality show Vaal Riviera
Watch the explosive trailer for Vaal Riviera, a reality series following four families from the Vaal Triangle. Premiering 22 August on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Christopher Reeve documentary on Showmax get four Emmy nods
South African producer Robert Ford discusses his Emmy-nominated documentary, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, which premieres on Showmax on Friday, 25 July 2025.
South African