10 January 2019
Celebrating 20 years of The Sopranos
In its eight years on the air, HBO’s The Sopranos, about New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano (played by the late James Gandolfini), redefined what television drama could be.
As the New York Times writes, “By the time the writer and producer David Chase brought The Sopranos to a close on June 10, 2007, he had helped establish HBO as a cultural force and make literary symbolism, cinematic style, long-form storytelling and complicated antiheroes the norm for high-end TV dramas.”
Today, 20 years after its premiere, and 13 after its finale, fans continue to debate what the show’s ending meant: “Humming Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’ is all it takes in certain circles to trigger a cascade of ferocious arguments over the show’s anti-ending,” says Vanity Fair.
The Writers Guild of America named The Sopranos “the best-written television series of all time”, and it won a whopping 21 Emmy Awards. So if you’ve never watched The Sopranos, you’re missing out on one of the most influential stream TV series every made.
You can remedy that right now by streaming every episode of the groundbreaking series on Showmax.
And if you’ve already seen it, and don’t have the 86 hours on your hands required to relive every moment, these are some of the best episodes to rewatch, according to the New York Times.
Season 1, episode 1: Pilot/The Sopranos
Season 2, episode 12: The Knight in White Satin Armor
Season 3, episode 4: Employee of the Month
Season 3, episode 6: University
Season 3, episode 11: Pine Barrens
Season 5, episode 12: Long Term Parking
Season 6: episode 21: Made In America
Original African stories by local talent
The ABC Killer
The ABC Killer is a twisty true-crime documentary series about serial killer Moses Sithole. Stream from 22 July 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 Africa
The Real Housewives of Durban Seasons 1-5
Our eThekwini queens are back with a brand-new season. Stream Season 5 now, with new episodes every Friday.
Made in South AfricaSA celebs open up about divorce on Untied
The action heats up on Empini
More Mzansi gold
Laugh Africa Comedy Club
A high-energy celebration of stand-up, spotlighting the continent’s finest comedic talent and international guests, straight from the iconic Laugh Africa Comedy Festival.
Made in South Africa
Sorisha Naidoo on being an OG of The Real Housewives of Durban
Sorisha Naidoo reflects on her journey in The Real Housewives of Durban ahead of the highly anticipated Season 5 reunion, airing in two parts on Showmax, on 4 July and 11 July 2025.
Made in South Africa
Een Keer Om Die Son S1
Over the course of a year, the Van Wyks mourn the loss of a loved one and struggle with divorce, illness, forgiveness, high school and secrets as they heal and find each other again.
Made in South Africa
Nonku opens up about Untied, now streaming on Showmax
Nonku Williams spills the tea on why she agreed to be on the new Showmax Original talk show, Untied. Catch new episodes every Tuesday on Showmax, hosted by Relebogile Mabotja.
South African