Red Ink
Play video

Red Ink

Flag zaMade in South Africa

Based on Angela Makholwa’s bestseller. A journalist gets entangled with a serial killer. All the episodes for Red Ink are now streaming.

Author Angela Makholwa-Moabelo exec produces and co-writes the Showmax Original adaptation of her bestselling debut novel Red Ink. The eight-part thriller tells the story of a journalist turned publicist, Lucy Khambule, who is approached by an imprisoned serial killer to tell his story.

SAFTA nominee Nqobile Nunu Khumalo (Nqobile, The Herd) plays Lucy, with SAFTA winner Bonko Khoza (Mqhele in The Wife) as Napoleon Dingiswayo, nicknamed The Butcher by the media.

Red Ink is a partnership between Makholwa’s Britespark Films and Bomb Productions. This marks the first Showmax Original from Bomb, who made DStv’s most-watched drama ever, Shaka ILembe.

Red Ink reunites Khoza on screen with two of the other Zulu brothers from The Wife: DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice winners Kwenzo Ngcobo (Qhawe) and Abdul Khoza (Nqoba). The all-star cast also includes Outlaws’ breakout star Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku, SAFTA winners Bongile Mantsai (Inxeba: The Wound), Lorcia Cooper (Lockdown) and Jo-Anne Reyneke (Black Tax), and the likes of Tsholofelo Maseko (Intersexions).

All the episodes for Red Ink are now available to stream on Showmax.

Watch now
  • A deeper look

    Lorcia Cooper as Detective Morapedi in Red Ink S1

    Lorcia Cooper Kumalo from Red Ink on her intentions when choosing roles

    SAFTA winner Lorcia Cooper Kumalo talks about her role as Detective Morapedi in Red Ink and her intentions when choosing roles. 

    Original
    /images/za.svgSouth African
    Showmax Original series Red Ink

    Red Ink Season 1 episode 8 recap: Till we meet again

    In the finale of Red Ink, Lucy learns the shocking news about Napoleon, evoking complex emotions. All the episodes are now streaming.

    Original
    /images/za.svgMade in South Africa
    Red Ink S1 on Showmax

    Red Ink Season 1 episode 7 recap: What’s in the box?

    In episode 7 of Red Ink, Lucy and Kagiso’s efforts to expose a powerful politician’s link to Napoleon put Lucy’s life in danger. 

    Original
    /images/za.svgMade in South Africa
    Red Ink S1 now on Showmax

    Red Ink episode 6 recap: Hope eternal

    In episode 6 of Red Ink, Lucy seeks answers from Sifiso about a murder, uncovering another shocking revelation. New episodes every Tuesday.

    Original
    /images/za.svgMade in South Africa
    Nqobile Nunu Khumalo as Lucy Khambule in Red Ink

    Red Ink Season 1 episode 5 recap: You lie with the dogs, you get fleas

    In episode 5 of Red Ink, Lucy visits Napoleon and Sifiso’s roots, where her investigation takes an unexpected turn. New episodes every Tuesday.

    Original
    /images/za.svgMade in South Africa
    Red Ink S1 on Showmax

    Red Ink episode 4 recap: Seeing double

    In episode 4 of Red Ink, Lucy gets an offer from Patricia’s family and later, at KK’s party, she comes face to face with a shocking reveal. New episodes every Tuesday on Showmax.

    Original
    /images/za.svgMade in South Africa
    Bonko Khoza as Napoleon Dingiswayo in Red Ink S1

    Bonko Khoza on playing a serial killer in Red Ink

    SAFTA winner Bonko Khoza talks about his role as Napoleon Dingiswayo aka The Butcher in the Showmax drama series Red Ink.

    Original
    /images/za.svgSouth African
    Bonko Khoza as Napoleon Dingiswayo in Red Ink

    Red Ink episodes 1-3 recap: Lucy meets The Butcher

    In the first three episodes of Red Ink, Lucy comes face to face with a serial killer, and her life takes a dramatic turn. New episodes every Tuesday on Showmax.

    Original
    /images/za.svgMade in South Africa

    Love South African drama? Here's our pick of the best

    Adulting S3 on Showmax

    Adulting S1-3

    Adulting follows four varsity friends on their journey to find love and success in modern-day South Africa. New episodes land every Saturday on Showmax.

    Original
    /images/za.svgMade in South Africa
    Empini S2 on Showmax

    Mpumi Mpama makes the role of Khaya Bhodoza his own in Empini

    Mpumi Mpama talks about his role as the new Khaya Bhodoza in Empini S2, premiering on 4 March on Showmax. 

    Original
    /images/za.svgMade in South Africa
    Tyla’s sold-out Showmax concert

    Tyla’s Showmax concert to reach millions more on DStv

    Tyla’s sold-out concert, which streamed live on Showmax on 18 January, will be available on demand on Showmax from 30 January in celebration of Tyla’s birthday, and on DStv’s Mzansi Wethu from 1 February 2025.

    /images/za.svgMade in South Africa
    Zizipho Buti as Owami in Soft Life on Showmax

    7 shocking moments from the first 10 episodes of Soft Life S1

    Since Soft Life’s launch, the Showmax Original drama series has had us screaming at our screens. Here are the top 7 unmissable moments so far.

    Original
    /images/za.svgMade in South Africa
    The Mommy Club S3 on Showmax

    See the must-watch trailer for The Mommy Club S3

    Season 3 of The Mommy Club premieres on 15 February, with new episodes every Saturday. Meet new cast members Mrs J, Pheladi, Noksie, and Vuyi!

    Original
    /images/za.svgMade in South Africa
    Showmax presents Tyla

    Showmax Presents Tyla red carpet hosts: Kat Sinivasan, Moozlie

    From 8.30pm on Saturday, 18 January 2025, the Tyla Red Carpet Experience will be streaming on Showmax, followed by the live stream of her homecoming concert.

    Live
    Reënboogrant on Showmax

    10+ South African book adaptations on Showmax

    Some of South Africa’s best-loved stories have inspired our favourite series and movies, from the new Reënboogrant and Spooksoeker, to The Wife, Red Ink, and those Deon Meyer crime thrillers.

    /images/za.svgMade in South Africa
    Superstore on Showmax

    Showmax to adapt NBCUniversal’s Superstore for South Africa

    Showmax orders a South African isiZulu adaptation of NBCUniversal’s hit US comedy Superstore on the 10th anniversary of the debut of the original series.

    Original
    /images/za.svgMade in South Africa

    Have you watched The Wife? All seasons are streaming

    Hlomu and Mqhele on The Wife Season 3

    The Wife Season 3 episodes 58-60: Hlomu and Mqhele’s tragic deaths

    In The Wife finale, Hlomu and Mqhele meet their tragic demise, while Qhawe and Naledi live happily ever after.

    Original
    /images/za.svgMade in South Africa
    The Wife Season 3 finale now streaming on Showmax

    Mbalenhle Mavimbela looks back on her career-making role as Hlomu in The Wife

    Mbalenhle Mavimbela reflects on playing Hlomu in Showmax’s groundbreaking telenovela. All episodes of The Wife are streaming on Showmax.

    Original
    /images/za.svgMade in South Africa
    Hlomu confessing on The Wife S3

    The Wife Season 3 episodes 55-57 recap: The truth about the Zulu brothers revealed

    Hlomu makes a bold move that threatens to destroy the Zulu family. Meanwhile, the royal family is at war, with the princesses striving to dethrone their father.

    Original
    /images/za.svgMade in South Africa
    Hlomu on The Wife

    The Wife Season 3 episodes 52-54 recap: Hlomu catches her first body

    Hlomu kills Xoli after finding out that she’s a Majola and has been sleeping with her husband on the latest episodes of The Wife Season 3.

    Original
    /images/za.svgMade in South Africa
    Qhawe and Naledi on The Wife Showmax

    The Wife Season 3 episodes 49-51 recap: Qhawe fights for Naledi his love

    Qhawe rescues Naledi and Hlomu suspects Mqhele is cheating on the latest episodes of The Wife Season 3, now streaming on Showmax.

    Original
    /images/za.svgMade in South Africa
    Naledi crying on the Wife Season 3 episode 48 on Showmax

    The Wife Season 3 episodes 46-48 recap: Naledi is missing

    Naledi gets kidnapped by her abusive ex and Xoli turns up the heat with the Zulus on the latest episodes of the Wife Season 3.

    Original
    /images/za.svgMade in South Africa
    Khawe in The Wife Season 3 on Showmax

    The Wife Season 3 episodes 43-45 recap: Naledi is pregnant

    The Wife Season 3 returns with drama, betrayal and jaw-dropping moments. Qhawe makes a shocking revelation about Naledi while Xoli gets one step closer to destroying the Zulu family. 

    Original
    /images/za.svgMade in South Africa
    The_Wife_Behind_The_Scenes

    5 take-aways from The Wife Behind-the-Scenes Special

    Get the inside scoop from the stars of The Wife in front of and behind the camera in this exclusive behind-the-scenes special.

    Original
    /images/za.svgMade in South Africa