4 December 2023
Shining Vale S1-2
In Shining Vale, a dysfunctional family moves to a small town, not realising their new house has a terrible history. No one seems to notice anything weird except for Pat (Emmy nominee Courteney Cox from Friends, who also produces). The celebrated author of a raunchy female empowerment novel, Pat is convinced she’s either depressed or possessed – turns out, the symptoms are exactly the same.
The horror comedy series also stars Oscar nominee Greg Kinnear (As Good As It Gets, Little Miss Sunshine) and four-time Emmy nominee Judith Light (tick, tick…BOOM!, Transparent, Ugly Betty, Who’s the Boss?), along with the likes of Oscar winner Mira Sorvino (Mighty Aphrodite, Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion) and Emmy nominee Sherilyn Fenn (Twin Peaks).
Season 2 of Shining Vale promises a Phelps family reunion like no other. The story picks up four months later, with Pat trying to pick up the pieces after the events of Season 1.
To make things worse, she has a new neighbour who looks eerily familiar, and the house is starting to reveal the shocking secrets of its dark past …
Four-time Emmy nominee Judith Light (tick, tick…BOOM!, Transparent, Ugly Betty, and Who’s the Boss?) returns as Pat’s mom, Joan, with Screen Actors’ Guild Award nominee Merrin Dungey (Big Little Lies, Alias) as her editor, Kam. Emmy nominees Sherilyn Fenn (Twin Peaks) and Allison Tolman (Why Women Kill, Fargo) are also among the cast this season.
Shining Vale won the 2022 Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Television Series, with nominations for Best Actress and Best Performance by a Younger Actor for Cox and Birney respectively. Cox was also named Best Actress in a Comedy at last year’s Women’s Image Network Awards, where the show won Outstanding Comedy Series.
Created by Emmy-nominated writer and executive producer Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters) and Writers Guild of America Award nominee Jeff Astrof (Trial & Error, The New Adventures of Old Christine), Shining Vale is once again helmed by an all-female line-up of directors, with Cox producing.
Original African stories by local talent

Vaal Riviera
Vaal Riviera follows four Afrikaans families living in the heart of Vaal River society, where family, business, car racing and legacy all come into play. Stream from 22 August, with new episodes on Tuesdays.

The ABC Killer
The ABC Killer is a twisty true-crime documentary series about serial killer Moses Sithole. Stream now on Showmax.

What if we believed the best can come from here?
Let’s rewrite the rules of what it means to be local.

Untied S1
Untied explores the deeply personal and often complex experience of divorce, told through the voices of women who have lived it. Stream now, with new episodes every Tuesday.

Reckless S1
Reckless follows a pair of young brothers who find themselves at a crossroads when a tragic accident changes their lives forever. Stream now, with new episodes every Monday and Tuesday.

The Mommy Club NBO
The Mommy Club NBO is the fifth instalment of the record-breaking Mommy Club franchise. Stream now, with new episodes every Friday.

Empini S1-2
Empini is a high-stakes, action-packed drama set in the ruthless, corrupt world of private security. Season 2 is now streaming, with new episodes every Tuesday.

Youngins S1-2
Stream Tshedza Pictures’s first teen drama, Showmax Original Youngins. S1 and S2 are ready to binge.
More binge-worthy series to stream

Everyone Else Burns and 8 more cult classics
Strap in for armageddon! British sitcom Everyone Else Burns is set in a rigid sect – but they’re not the only ones with weird haircuts. Let’s all join a cult show and become one big, happy family.

Binge five of the 10 biggest Emmy nominees on Showmax
Showmax has 5 of this year’s top 10 Emmy-nominated titles, from The Penguin to The White Lotus — all ready for you to stream now.

Dangerous minds in The Institute + 7 more superpowered series
When kids develop strange abilities, do you train them, or “study” them so you can figure out how to stop them? Find out what they’re up to at The Institute … and in 7 more superpowered series.

Travel through time with historical dramas on Showmax
Whether you want to live in Downton Abbey, ancient Rome, the Roaring 20s or the Swinging 70s, we have a series for you – including the brand-new Mary & George.