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.
Made in South Africa
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.
Made in South Africa
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.
South African
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.
South African
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.
Made in South Africa
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.
Made in South Africa
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.
Made in South Africa
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.
South AfricanIn the press
On Fortress of Solitude: Showmax's Spinners is the best new South African show
Every now and then, the TV world is graced with a show that redefines the game. Imagine my surprise to discover a homegrown gem from Showmax with enough flair to shake up the scene. Spinners (which launches in November) isn’t just a nod to Mzansi with its local vibes and tales; it’s the kind of story that’s gonna have international movie bigwigs sitting up and taking notes.
On Huisgenoot: Langverwagte reeks is eindelik hier: Als wat jy moet weet oor Spinners
Dié reeks speel af in die wêreld van ‘spinning’, ’n ekstreme motorsport wat jou verstom sal laat.
On News24 Life: Cantona James steers into the spotlight with Spinners
"This story is for every young coloured boy or girl, for every struggling parent and a story for those in a position out of their control, because of the environment they're surrounded in," says Cantona James, who plays the leading role in the upcoming drama series Spinners.
The best South African shows to stream
Where to see the cast of Shaka iLembe S1-2 on Showmax
From Nomzamo Mbatha as Queen Nandi to Lemogang Tsipa as King Shaka Zulu and Thembinkosi Mthembu as King Dingiswayo, see the cast of Shaka iLembe in some of their other acclaimed roles on Showmax.
South African
The F-Show (2025)
The F-Show features a strong roster led by one of South Africa’s favourite comedians skewering the daily chaos that comes with being South African.
Made in South Africa
Showmax Gen Z stars speak out for Youth Day 2025
The young stars of Youngins, Soft Life, and Adulting share what Youth Day means to them and how their roles are influencing their generation. See them all on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Youth Day 2025: How 8 South African stars got their start
From Thembinkosi Mthembu to Thuso Mbedu and Lemogang Tsipa, these South African stars have journeyed from humble beginnings to taking our screens and the world by storm.
Made in South Africa
Must-watch trailer for upcoming Showmax talk show, Untied
Watch the explosive trailer for Untied, featuring eight South African celebrities who have gone through public divorces. Hosted by Relebogile Mabotja, the talk show premieres on Showmax on 24 June 2025.
South African
Married At First Sight Mzansi S1
Eight strangers, one goal – to meet their perfect match for the very first time at the end of the wedding aisle. Stream all of Married at First Sight Mzansi Season 1 while you wait for Season 2, on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Showmax and DStv celebrate the legacy of Presley Chweneyagae
Relive Presley Chweneyagae’s breakout role in the Oscar-winning Tsotsi on Showmax or DStv Stream from 9pm on 6 June, on M-Net at the same time, or in the following days on Mzansi Magic and M-Net Movies Channel 4. Plus the finale of Cobrizi, with Presley in a fan-favourite role, lands on Sunday, 8 June on Mzansi Magic.
South African
Binnelanders S8-14
Binnelanders, an Afrikaans soapie set in and around a fictional private hospital, follows the trials and trauma of the staff and patients.
Made in South AfricaThe best to binge now
Mr Throwback S1
In this hilarious basketball comedy, a down-on-his-luck memorabilia dealer looks for redemption by reuniting with his sixth-grade teammate, NBA legend Steph Curry.
Where to see the cast of Shaka iLembe S1-2 on Showmax
From Nomzamo Mbatha as Queen Nandi to Lemogang Tsipa as King Shaka Zulu and Thembinkosi Mthembu as King Dingiswayo, see the cast of Shaka iLembe in some of their other acclaimed roles on Showmax.
South AfricanMarried At First Sight Mzansi S1
Eight strangers, one goal – to meet their perfect match for the very first time at the end of the wedding aisle. Stream all of Married at First Sight Mzansi Season 1 while you wait for Season 2, on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Hacks S1-4
Emmy winner Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder make an odd partnership in the acclaimed HBO dramedy Hacks, about a legendary Vegas comedian and her new writer.
100 Foot Wave S1-3
This Emmy-winning docuseries follows big-wave pioneer Garrett McNamara’s decade-long odyssey chasing a massive wave in a small fishing village in Portugal.
Binnelanders S8-14
Binnelanders, an Afrikaans soapie set in and around a fictional private hospital, follows the trials and trauma of the staff and patients.
Made in South Africa
Wild Wild Space (2024)
A high-stakes HBO doccie that chronicles the modern-day, celestial land grab – a fast-paced, high-stakes race of epic proportions in which companies compete to blast satellite-carrying rockets into low Earth orbit.
Stream all episodes of Married at First Sight Season 1 on Showmax
Binge-watch the whole of Married at First Sight Mzansi Season 1 on Showmax while you wait for Season 2 to land on Mzansi Magic and coming express to Showmax on Sunday, 6 July 2025.
Made in South AfricaAfrikaans series to binge-watch
Binnelanders S8-14
Binnelanders, an Afrikaans soapie set in and around a fictional private hospital, follows the trials and trauma of the staff and patients.
Made in South Africa
Showmax announces The Mommy Club: Van die Hoofstad reunion
Leandie du Randt is set to host The Mommy Club: Van die Hoofstad reunion, premiering on Showmax in two parts on 27 June and 4 July 2025.
South African
Summertide S1
An exhilarating South African multi-generational drama following the Field family and those who cross their paths – each with their own secrets and desires.
Made in South Africa
Where to see the cast of Niggies in other roles on Showmax
From Beer Adriaanse as older André Fourie to Erica Wessels as Ousus Nel and Albert Pretorius as Gustaff Fouché, see the cast of kykNET’s hit drama series Niggies in their other acclaimed roles on Showmax.
South African