20 September 2019
7 reasons you should be watching the Fosters
The Fosters does not start slow. In the opening scene, you see Callie being released from a juvenile centre, but the other kids don’t take very kindly to that.
Callie is then placed in a foster home with a lesbian couple taking care of three other children, two of them adopted and one biological son. This complex family unit is what drives the series, and beautifully shows that unconventional does not mean unhappy.
7 reasons to watch The Fosters on Showmax
1. The ratings
- 97% on Rotten Tomatoes
- 7.9/10 on IMDb
- 8.2 User Score on Metacritic
2. The empathy
It’s not easy for foster kids growing up. They often bounce from one home to another, and you never know what kind of environment you might be placed in. The Fosters taps into the precariousness of these kids’ situations in a very real, heartfelt way.
3. It portrays a modern blended family
A modern family does not mean the standard mom and dad combo plus the average of 2.4 children. Families are complex, same-sex marriage is not taboo, and adopting kids from diverse backgrounds may be challenging, but not for the reasons you might think. This show does brilliantly in squashing the archaic idea of what a happy family looks like.
4. It’s about forbidden love
We don’t want to give anything away, but forbidden love stories are always good!
5. It’s inclusive
This series deals with important issues of gay rights, same-sex marriage, biracial relationships, feminism and foster care. It’s refreshing to see a series tackling these sensitive issues head on.
6. It’s hilarious
Seriously. While the show deals with topical and often delicate issues, there’s a lot of humour to it. And the witty banter between the family members is sharply written.
7. It has a sequel
When you’re done with The Fosters, watch Good Trouble, the follow-up that traces Callie and Mariana as young adults, attempting to make their own way in LA. Good Trouble scored 100% on Rotten Tomatoes so it’s also well worth checking out.
Original African stories by local talent
Untying Kantai
Untying Kantai follows King Kantai, a man who has spent 30 years of his life working hard to provide for his family, only to be conned out of his life savings. Stream from 9 May, with new episodes weekly.
Big Girl Small World
Stream the new Kenyan romcom series Big Girl Small World from 8 May, with new episodes every week.
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. All the episodes are streaming 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. All the episodes are now streaming.
The Roast of Minnie Dlamini: The roast everyone's been waiting on
Empini, coming soon
More Mzansi gold
What to watch on Showmax in May 2024
Stream Barbie and Oppenheimer in South Africa now, only on Showmax. Plus a ton more great stuff coming in May.
The Mommy Club Season 2 Episode 11 recap: Cutting through
In episode 11 of The Mommy Club S2, Hermajesty hosts a ‘Healing with Hermajesty’ night picnic that turns sour. New episodes every Monday.
“This type of story has never been told in Afrikaans.” Koek director
SAFTA and Silwerskerm-winning director and cinematographer Johannes Pieter Nel talks about directing the critically acclaimed crime comedy Koek, now streaming on Showmax.
Youngins Season 1 Episodes 34-36: The heist
After Khaya reveals that he saw underaged photos in the principal’s messages, he and his friends plot revenge in episodes 34-36 of Showmax Original Youngins.