25 September 2025

Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television

From nine-time Emmy nominee Issa Rae (Insecure), Seen & Heard is a two-part documentary exploring the history of Black television in America as seen through the eyes of trailblazers who wrote, produced, created and starred in groundbreaking series of the past and present.

Featuring interviews with actors, showrunners, writers, celebrities and other notable influencers from Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry to Shonda Rhimes and Ava DuVernay to Tracee Ellis Ross and Lena Waithe, the HBO docu-series takes us on a journey through television history, exploring Black representation from early on-screen appearances to modern creators revolutionising the industry in a new era of authentic storytelling.

“Seen & Heard Is The History Lesson Hollywood Needs,” Essence headlined, saying, “both a celebration of resilience and a call to action,” Seen & Heard “...makes clear that the story of Black television is still being written.”

Stream Part One and Part Two on Showmax.

Watch it now

More like this

Documentaries

Must-watch trailer: The People vs VBS explores South Africa’s biggest bank heist

The People vs VBS is IdeaCandy's true-crime docuseries on South Africa’s biggest bank heist. On Showmax from 25 March and on M-Net from 2 April.

OriginalMade in South Africa

Brakpan Chronicles S1

What is true about the town of Brakpan and what is fiction? Do the jokes about this place have any basis in reality? In this two-part documentary, we aim to find the real Brakpan, the place that exists beyond the memes.

OriginalMade in South Africa

South Africa’s stories and storytellers recognised as SAFTA nominees announced

Mzansi’s boldest stories take centre stage as the 2026 SAFTA nominees are unveiled, with a wave of nominations across DStv and Showmax.

Made in South Africa

Billy Joel: And So It Goes is on Showmax

Billy Joel: And So It Goes (2025)

An honest, insightful, and deeply moving look at the life and career of acclaimed musician Billy Joel, covering both his struggles and triumphs.

First

Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay on Showmax

Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay S1

Former RHOSLC cast member Heather Gay investigates hidden truths within the Mormon church, exposing cracks in its perfect facade.

First

Brakpan Chronicles: Die mense sê, kom in

The two-part documentary series Brakpan Chronicles, by Rian van Heerden and Provoco, will premiere soon on Showmax.

OriginalMade in South Africa

Wizkid: Long Live Lagos (2025)

This intimate and uplifting documentary explores Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Wizkid's rise to superstardom as one of the biggest Afrobeats artists.

FirstMade in Nigeria

Helderberg S1

South Africa suffered its worst air disaster in 1987. The hunt for the truth about what happened to SAA Flight 295 is still on almost 40 years later.

Made in South Africa

Outlaws, now streaming on Showmax

Go on holiday with RHUGT: Africa

Stream more of the best documentaries online

Eye-opening homegrown documentaries to stream

These unmissable South African shows and movies deliver surprising insights on the country we're living in today.

OriginalMade in South Africa

Wild Wild Space and 10 more titles to join your space race

We have liftoff! As new HBO documentary Wild Wild Space takes us into low orbit, mission control has 10 more titles ready for space junkies, from Apollo 13 to Interstellar.

Anatomy of Lies: Women who con

Grey’s Anatomy’s most shocking medical case took place behind the scenes. Find out how co-executive producer and writer Elisabeth Finch faked cancer and personal tragedy, and meet five more of the world’s most questionable con women.

First

A Very Royal Scandal: 5 downfall documentaries and drama series

What do Prince Andrew, King Juan Carlos I, Sean Combs, Alex Jones, and Markus Jooste have in common? In-depth documentaries more shocking than an Oscar-winning movie!