14 November 2022
Showmax unveils teaser trailer for upcoming Kenyan crime drama Pepeta
Showmax has unveiled the first look teaser trailer and images for the upcoming crime drama series Pepeta, premiering on 24 November 2022.
The sixth Showmax Original in Kenya, Pepeta is loosely based on the real-life story of Harun ‘Rio’ Wathari. The eight-part series captures the dreams and realities of the youth in Kibera, known for churning out top football players in the country.
Pepeta follows three intertwining stories. Junior is a 17-year-old talented footballer torn between the thrills of crime and the promises of soccer. Kepha is an unforgiving cop with a personal vendetta, determined to rid the streets of criminals. And Biki is an ambitious football coach determined to get Junior and his friends scouted before the barrel of the gun cuts short their dreams.
Meet the cast
Featuring a predominantly young cast, including some who have never been seen on screen before, Pepeta stars Brahim Ouma (Famous) in his first-ever lead role as Junior. The cast also includes Malik Lemuel, who makes a major comeback since Machachari, Dedan J. Onyango (The Real Househelps of Kawangware), Lwanda Jawar (Sense8), Avril Nyambura (MTV Shuga), George Mo (Borderline), Wycliffe Eravuna (Selina), Marrianne Nungo (Supa Modo), Brian Ngaira (Baba Twins), and newcomers Eric Aswani, Fridah Mumbe and Suzanne Karani.
Pepeta is produced by CJ3 Entertainment and directed by Vincent Mbaya (Country Queen, Chaguo), with Damaris Irungu (Crime and Justice), Charles Ouda (Waiting Room, Makutano Junction) and Abigail Arunga (How to Find a Husband) as writers.
Speaking about his experience directing the show, Mbaya describes it as a lifetime in the making. “I had to dig deep into my experiences, especially working with young first time actors. I really had to go back to my acting days and put myself in their shoes, guiding them through the process, helping them tap into the small things that define their characters. It was a very fulfilling experience,” Mbaya says.
Even though challenging, Mbaya admits, watching Pepeta’s young cast morph into their roles and blossom as performers really made him feel proud. “I think that we are about to discover some amazing talent. Some of the more known faces also deliver on a level we haven’t seen them reach before.”
Pepeta builds on the success of other Showmax Originals in Kenya like the political thriller series County 49, the thriller series Igiza, the police procedural and legal drama Crime and Justice S1 and S2, the drama series Single Kiasi and the coming-of-age film Baba Twins.
SA celebs open up about divorce on Untied
The action heats up on Empini
More Mzansi gold

Jojo dishes on her Real Housewives of Durban journey
Now that Season 5 of The Real Housewives of Durban has come to an end, Jojo opens up about her relationship with Nonku, and which cosmetic procedure is most like RHOD.

10 South African true-crime series, ranked
From The ABC Killer to Tracking Thabo Bester, these true-crime documentary series explore some of South Africa’s darkest crime stories – all available to stream on Showmax.

Must-watch trailer: upcoming Showmax reality show Vaal Riviera
Watch the explosive trailer for Vaal Riviera, a reality series following four families from the Vaal Triangle. Premiering 22 August on Showmax.

Christopher Reeve documentary on Showmax get four Emmy nods
South African producer Robert Ford discusses his Emmy-nominated documentary, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, which premieres on Showmax on Friday, 25 July 2025.