The Wife
Made in South Africa
The Wife is a Showmax Original telenovela that follows the Zulu brothers and the women they marry. New episodes of Season 3 land every Thursday.
The Wife series is a Showmax Original telenovela that follows the lives of the eight Zulu brothers, a formidable crime family, through the eyes of the women they marry.
Season 1 is inspired by the novel Hlomu the Wife, a bestseller by Dudu Busani-Dube. Rising star Mbalenhle Mavimbela (Skeem Saam, Isipho) plays “Hlomu the wife”, the journalist who falls in love with a taxi driver, not realising that when you marry a man, you marry his secrets. Her love interest, Mqhele, is played by Bonko Khoza, who burst onto the acting scene as Jabz in the multi-award-winning film Necktie Youth and has since appeared in the likes of Professionals and the Emmy-nominated Roots.
Season 2 is inspired by the follow-up novel, Zandile the Resolute. The role of Zandile, the fierce matriarch of the Zulu family, is played by Khanyi Mbau (Happiness is a Four-Letter Word) and Mondli Makhoba (Umkhokha) reprises his role as Nkosana, the eldest Zulu brother in The Wife.
Produced by Stained Glass, Season 1 of The Wife opened to rave reviews in November 2021, becoming the most-watched launch on Showmax ever. The show trended at the top of Twitter every Thursday during its run, for 13 consecutive weeks. All episodes of Season 1 and 2 are now streaming.
The Wife Season 3 landed on 10 November 2022, with new episodes landing every Thursday into 2023.
The season kicks off with Naledi, played by Gaisang K Noge, Qhawe’s love, having been kidnapped and the Zulu brothers’ crimes making front-page news. Wiseman Mncube takes over from Bonko Khoza as Mqhele, whose love story with Hlomu remains complicated.
While you wait for new episodes of Season 3, binge-watch The Wife: Behind The Veil, or catch the Season 3 behind-the-scenes special on Thursday, 23 February. Season 3 resumes on 2 March and continues until 6 April 2023, when the telenovela will conclude.
Meet the cast
Naledi
The third wife, Naledi Montsho, a doctor who falls for one of the Zulu brothers, Qhawe Zulu. She’s also a princess daughter of the chief of the Royal Thabeng. Rising star Gaisang K Noge plays the role of Naledi.
The Youth Squad
The Youth Squad aka the younger brothers round up this charismatic criminal family. Thulane Nkululeko Shange plays Mqoqi; Ishmauel Songo plays Mpande; and Swelihle Luthuli plays Ntsika.
Mandisa
The mother of Nqoba’s children, Mandisa is sassy and smart. She may be part of a crime family, but she makes sure to get what is due to her. Mandisa is played by Zikhona Sodlaka.
Zandile
She spent 10 years in prison; now she must win back her children’s love, rebuild her marriage, and establish herself as the matriarch of the Zulu family. Zandile is played by Khanyi Mbau.
Sambulo
There’s more to this brother than meets the eye. Laid back, funny, an undercover hitman. He’s not after power but is his brothers’ keeper and the true glue working silently to hold them all together. Sipho Ndlovu is Sambulo.
Qhawe
The sweetest of the brothers, Qhawe is also the family strategist. He saw Hlomu first, and it was love at first sight, but this once, he failed to put a plan into action. Kwenzo Ngcobo is Qhawe.
Nqoba
He’s a ‘hit first and explains later’ type of guy. Sometimes he doesn’t even explain. Abdul Khoza is Nqoba.
Nkosana
The firstborn of the Zulu brothers, he took charge of the family after his parents’ murder. He’s a man of a few words and thinks carefully before he acts. Nkosana is played by Mondli Makhoba.
Mqhele
On the surface, Mqhele is a loving, family man, but deep inside, his demons are at war with one another. He pursues what he wants until it’s his. In The Wife Season 3, Mqhele is played by Wiseman Mncube.
Hlomu
A passionate, young investigative journalist. Love forces her to choose between a life of uncovering the truth and a life of hiding it. Hlomu is played by Mbalenhle Mavimbela.
Videos
Season 2 Episodes 1-3
Season 2 Episodes 4-6
Season 2 Episodes 7-9
Season 2 Episodes 10-12
Season 2 Episodes 13-15
Season 2 Episodes 16-18
Season 2 Episodes 19 - 21
Season 2 Episodes 22 - 24
Season 2 Episodes 25 - 27
Season 2 Episodes 28 - 30
Season 2 Episodes 31 - 33
Season 2 Episodes 34 - 36
Season 3 Episodes 1-3
Season 3 Episodes 4-6
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In the press
On Tagged!: More than guns, red flags and sex
"Opening with a romanticised shot of downtown Joburg, the show is a delicious exploration of love in the times of taxi rivalry, heists and violence."
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"As we are introduced to Mbalenhle 'Mbali' Mavimbela as Hlomu, we find that she is a natural. The Skeem Saam actress embodies who Hlomu is – a journalist, trying to get her life together, dealing with a boyfriend who doesn’t have time for her and a job that entangles her in the dark world."
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On The Daily Vox: Showmax’s first telenovela The Wife is a wild ride through crime and love
"The production quality and photography is excellent. The [first] episode is 23 minutes long and packs a resounding gut punch. The imagery of the taxi rank in the first few frames immediately makes you feel at home."
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