Spinners
Made in South Africa
The exhilarating world of spinning promises a way out for a conflicted young man trapped in a gang war in Spinners. All the episodes are ready to binge.
Spinners follows Ethan, a 17-year-old driver working for a local gang. Trying to support his younger brother but increasingly disgusted with gang life, Ethan discovers a possible way out via spinning, an extreme motorsport where he can put his driving skills to better use. But the looming gang war jeopardises that hope.
Spinners is the first African series selected in competition at Canneseries; won three awards at Dakar Series, including Best TV Series; received a standing ovation from its sold-out South African premiere at Silwerskerm; and was the opening night screening at MIP Africa, generating rave reviews.
The third co-production between Showmax and CANAL+, Spinners’ cast includes Arendsvlei’s Cantona James and Chelsea Thomas in leading roles, along with Dillon Windvogel (Blood & Water) and South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) winner Brendon Daniels (Zulu, Skemerdans, Five Fingers for Marseille).
Directed by Jaco Bouwer (2021 SXSW Best Cinematography winner Gaia, 2022 SAFTA Best TV Drama winner 4 Mure), Spinners is co-created by producer Joachim Landau and showrunner Benjamin Hoffman of Empreinte Digitale. The English/Kaaps/Afrikaans drama is co-produced by Locarno, Amiens and FESPACO winner Ramadan Suleman (Zulu Love Letter, Fools) from Natives at Large, Spinners’ local co-production company. DJ Ready D is the music supervisor and also composing tracks for the series.
All episodes of Spinners Season 1 are now streaming on Showmax, including Inside Spinners, the exclusive behind-the-scenes look at car spinning in South Africa.
Meet the cast of Spinners

Ethan – Cantona James
Ethan is a 17-year-old driver working for a gang on the Cape Flats. Needing to support his younger brother but increasingly disgusted by gang life, Ethan discovers a possible way out via spinning.

Amber – Chelsea Thomas
Amber is the best female spinner in the country. She’s Ethan’s friend and rival, and she’s playful, snarky and very talented. She’s a close friend and support to Ethan, but she’s not afraid to push him to make the right decisions.

Phumeza – Katlego Lebogang
Phumeza is a young detective, not yet hardened by years on the force. She’s called in to investigate an incident involving the gangs, and seems to take a liking to Ethan.

Damien – Elton Landrew
Gang leader Damien is an interesting character. Is he a protector for Ethan, or does he have darker motives for drawing into gang life? Damien is definitely a man with secrets, and while he has a softer side, he has no scruples when it comes to gang business.

Hercules – Brendon Daniels
Damien’s loyal henchman, Hercules is ruthless and cruel. His whole life revolves around the gang, and he’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Shane – Dillon Windvogel
Shane meets Ethan by accident, and they end up as good friends. Shane is the mechanic of the spinning team, and he introduces Ethan to the world of spinning.

Jackie – Stephren Saayman
The stuntman of the spinning team, Jackie is a fun-loving ladies’ man who’s dedicated to his friends and the team.

Kayla – Melanie du Bois
Ethan and Byron’s mother, Kayla, hasn’t always stepped up when her sons needed her. Her addictions and other problems have forced Ethan to grow up fast, but this single mother is determined to make up for it. Will she be strong enough when it counts?
Videos
More about Spinners

Spinners beats out Succession in Shanghai
On 28 June 2024, South African Showmax Original Spinners beat Emmy-winning HBO series Succession at one of the most prestigious television awards in Asia.

Meet the cast and characters of Spinners
The cast of the award-winning Showmax Original Spinners includes Cantona James, Elton Landrew, Chelsea Thomas and Brendon Daniels.

Katlego Lebogang on her role as Phumeza in Showmax Original Spinners
Katlego Lebogang talks about playing detective Phumeza and breaking stereotypes in Spinners, now streaming on Showmax.

Elton Landrew on playing a gang boss in Spinners, now streaming
Elton Landrew talks about playing the role of Damien in Showmax Original Spinners. New episodes every Wednesday.

Spinners S1
A pulsating, high-octane South African drama. Ethan, a 17-year-old driver trying to escape gang life, discovers a possible way out via spinning, an extreme motorsport.

Spinners
The exhilarating world of spinning promises a way out for a conflicted young man trapped in a gang war in Spinners. All the episodes are ready to binge.

DJ Ready D on curating the soundtrack for Spinners
The hip hop legend DJ Ready D talks about being the music supervisor and composing tracks for Showmax Original Spinners.

Dillon Windvogel on Spinners and gangsters with heart
Dillon Windvogel talks about speaking his mother tongue for the first time in Showmax Original, Spinners, coming 8 November.
The best South African shows to stream

Felix Hlophe on his comedy special, fat jokes, sex and cheating
Comedian and radio personality Felix Hlophe opens up about his stand-up comedy special at Laugh Africa Comedy Festival 2025, landing on 15 August on Showmax.

Londie London on RHOD: “There’s genuine history and love there”
Now that both parts of The Real Housewives of Durban reunion have dropped, Londie London opens up about her journey, and the support she’s received from fans. All episodes are available to binge on Showmax.

Watch her win! Women’s sports watch list
While you wait for Banyana Banyana’s next WAFCON game, we have drama series and documentaries celebrating women in sport, on and off the court.

Former captain Amanda Dlamini on Banyana’s challenges
Amanda Dlamini shares insights on Banyana Banyana’s WAFCON journey as they face Tanzania on Friday, 11 July in the Showmax Premier League.

Must-watch trailer: Norma Mngoma on Untied S1
Coming up next on Untied, Norma Mngoma steps into the spotlight as she opens up about her journey through marriage and divorce. New episodes every Tuesday on Showmax.

My Brother’s Keeper S1-2
An overly ambitious son, tired of being side-lined by his father, decides to break the family rules by going after his brother’s widow.

The Real Housewives of Durban’s most shocking reunion moment
Sorisha, Jojo and Londie dish on the explosive second part of The Real Housewives of Durban Season 5 reunion.

Sonia Booth on her public divorce in eye-opening talk show Untied
Sonia Booth opens up about divorce and her journey towards healing on Untied, now streaming on Showmax. Catch new episodes every Tuesday.
The best to binge now

Love Island USA S5-7
The American version of the hit show moves the action to Las Vegas, but the premise remains: the most beloved couple will sashay away with $100 000.

Everyone Else Burns S2
This hilarious comedy series, which has drama and heart, follows a family devoted to a religious cult as they navigate modern-day life and prepare for the world’s end.

The Real Housewives of Miami S4
The ladies of the Sunshine State are turning up the heat and dialling up the drama this season.

The Real Housewives of Orange County S18-19
In The Real Housewives OG series, we follow the lives of some of the wealthiest women and their families who live in Orange County, California.

My Brother’s Keeper S1-2
An overly ambitious son, tired of being side-lined by his father, decides to break the family rules by going after his brother’s widow.

Last Call: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York S1
This intense and emotional book-inspired documentary tells the story of a serial killer who preyed on gay men in New York City in the early 90s.

Duster S1
Working on taking down a crime syndicate, the first Black female FBI agent recruits a gutsy getaway driver in this gritty series set in 1972.

Married At First Sight Mzansi S2
Eight strangers, one goal – to meet their perfect match for the very first time at the end of the wedding aisle.
Afrikaans series to binge-watch

Pronk Primêr S1
A comedy about situations and events at a public primary school among a group of teachers who, after decades, are still connected to each other.

Hannes Aan Huis S11
Take a walk down memory lane with Hannes Van Wyk and relive some of his visits to the homes of some Legendary South Africans in film, theatre and sports.

Elders: Ligtoring Roete
In the seventh season of the SAFTA-winning Elders, hiker and author Erns Grundling walks the new 340km Lighthouse Route between the iconic lighthouses of Mossel Bay and Cape Agulhas.

The Mommy Club: Van Die Hoofstad S1
Stream the reunion of the hit Showmax Original reality show, featuring five dynamic, wealthy women from Pretoria as they manage relationships, families, businesses, and busy social lives. All episodes now streaming.