Spinners
Play video

Spinners

Flag zaMade 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

Cantona James in 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.

Chelsea Thomas in Spinners

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. 

Two people in a car

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. 

Elton Landrew as Damien in Spinners in a parking garage.

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

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. 

Dillon Windvogel and Cantona James in Spinners

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. 

Stephren Saayman in Spinners

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. 

Melanie du Bois and Jihaad Otto in Spinners on Showmax

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

Sit down with Cantona James

Available to stream:

Sit down with Chelsea Thomas

Available to stream:

Meet Brendon Daniels

Available to stream:

Meet Katlego Lebogang

Available to stream:

Spinners: The trailer

Available to stream:

Spinners: Second trailer

Available to stream:

More about Spinners

Cantona James as Ethan in 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.

Original
/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
Cantona James as Ethan in Spinners on Showmax

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.

Original
/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
Two people in a car

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.

Original
/images/za.svgSouth African
Elton Landrew as Damien in Spinners in a parking garage.

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.

Original
/images/za.svgSouth African
Cantona James in Spinners

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. 

Original
/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
Cantona James, Chelsea Thomas and Dillon Windvogel sitting on a car in Spinners on Showmax

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.

Original
/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
DJ Ready D has a cameo in Spinners

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. 

Original
/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
Dillon Windvogel and Cantona James in 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.

Original
/images/za.svgSouth African

The best South African shows to stream

Shaka iLembe on Showmax

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.

/images/za.svgSouth African
The F-Show on Showmax

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.

/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
Youngins S2 on Showmax

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.

Original
/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
Thembinkosi Mthembu as King Dingiswayo in Shaka iLembe

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.

/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
Relebogile from Untied on Showmax

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.

Original
/images/za.svgSouth African
Married At First Sight Mzansi S1_Maintenance Portrait KV

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.

/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
Presley Chweneyagae on Cobrizi

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. 

/images/za.svgSouth African
Binnelanders S14 is now on Showmax

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.

/images/za.svgMade in South Africa

The best to binge now

Mr Throwback S1 on Showmax

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.

Shaka iLembe on Showmax

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.

/images/za.svgSouth African
Married At First Sight Mzansi S1_Maintenance Portrait KV

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.

/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
Hacks S4 on Showmax

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. 

First
100 Foot Wave S3 is on Showmax

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.

First
Binnelanders S14 is now on Showmax

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.

/images/za.svgMade in South Africa
Wild Wild Space on Showmax

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.

Married at First Sight Mzansi is on Showmax

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.

/images/za.svgMade in South Africa