9 January 2018
The Handmaid’s Tale: Coming soon to Showmax
The award-winning, 10-episode screen adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale is launching on Showmax on Thursday, 1 February 2018. Having recently won the Golden Globe for Best Television Drama, this gripping series continues to attract critical acclaim.
Lead actress Elisabeth Moss, who also won the Golden Globe for Best Drama Actress, is outstanding in her role as a handmaid, a women enslaved in a fundamentalist society. Once, June had a husband, a daughter, a job, a life. Now she’s Offred, enslaved as a walking womb in a country where the only thing rarer than pregnancy is escape.
Moss quoted Atwood’s novel during her acceptance speech, highlighting the relevance of this story in relation to the sexual misconduct revelations that shook Hollywood in 2017.
“We were the people who were not in the papers,” Moss read, “We lived in the blank white spaces at the edge of print. It gave us more freedom. We lived in the gaps between the stories.”
“Margaret Atwood, this is for you, and all of the women who came before you and after you who were brave enough to speak out against intolerance and injustice and to fight for equality and freedom in this world,” Moss said. “We no longer live in the blank white spaces at the edge of print. We no longer live in the gaps between the stories. We are the story in print, and we are writing the story ourselves.”
Elisabeth Moss gives a shoutout to the #HandmaidsTale author, upon accepting: "Margaret Atwood this is for you" #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/i4jX5vrdvw
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 8, 2018
Watch the trailer
What the critics say
https://people.com/movies/golden-globes-2018-handmaids-tale-best-television-series-drama/
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/19/the-handmaids-tale-50-best-tv-shows-of-2017-no-1
https://time.com/4732788/handmaids-tale-review/
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/24/arts/television/review-the-handmaids-tale-creates-a-chilling-mans-world.html
https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/04/the-visceral-woman-centric-horror-of-the-handmaids-tale/523683/
Looking for more award-winning series? Read these:
Original African stories by local talent
The Mommy Club NBO
The Mommy Club NBO is the fifth instalment of the record-breaking Mommy Club franchise. Stream from 30 May on Showmax, 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 Africa
Unfollowed S1-2
Unfollowed examines cancel culture in social media through real-life stories of South African celebs. Stream S1-2 now on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
The Mommy Club S1-3
The Mommy Club sees glamorous Jozi momfluencers navigating the the cutthroat world of “it” moms. Stream S3 now, with new episodes every Saturday.
Made in South Africa
Adulting S1-3
Four best friends go through the hoops of life, love and everything else. Binge-watch Adulting S1-3 now on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
The Chocolate Empire S1
The Chocolate Empire follows JB Mauzo, who was recently released from prison, as he rebuilds his life. Stream now, with new episodes every Thursday.
Made in KenyaMore Mzansi gold
Pastor Wants A Wife S1-3
Pastor Wants A Wife follows South African pastors as they balance their family lives and their roles at church with finding love.
Made in South Africa
Glam pics: Inside the star-studded Showmax Roast of Helen Zille
A look at the unforgettable moments from the Showmax Roast of Helen Zille at the Laugh Africa Comedy Festival, streaming from 16 May on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Ntombee Ngcobo-Mzolo to host The Mommy Club S3 reunion
TV presenter, actress and singer Ntombee Ngcobo-Mzolo to host The Mommy Club reunion for the second consecutive year. The two part reunion streams on Showmax on 17 and 24 May 2025.
Made in South Africa
The Catch S1
In a high-stakes dating reality show, eight ladies are on a quest to find their suitor. Little do they know, among them lurk six secret imposters ready to break hearts and steal the prize.
Made in South Africa