Telenovelas and soaps to watch online
If you love the intrigue, drama, romance and thrill of watching storylines unfold bit by bit, episode by episode, these are the soaps and telenovelas you can’t afford to miss. They’re all streaming on Showmax, with new episodes landing throughout the week for those that are still airing.
Others, like The Wife, have ended, so every single episode is ready for you to binge-watch. With an endless stream of compelling episodes at your fingertips, prepare to be enthralled as you dive into the addictive world of binge-worthy soap-operas and telenovelas.
My Brother’s Keeper S1
An overly ambitious son, tired of being side-lined by his father, decides to break the family rules by going after his brother’s widow.
Made in South Africa
Umkhokha: The Curse S1-2
The critically acclaimed series revolves around the ensuing fight to take over the leadership position of one of the biggest churches in KZN.
Made in South Africa
The River S1-6
Fan-fave telenovela The River is full of twists and turns, and plenty of characters you love to hate, or love to root for – like Cobra. Stream the full boxset on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Reënboogrant S1
Follow the Brink siblings as they navigate teenage drama, family conflicts, love, aspirations and fierce rivalries in this wholesome Afrikaans telenovela.
Made in South Africa
Gqeberha: The Empire S2
A polygamist with a thriving business empire based in Gqeberha decides to take a fourth wife. Soon his wives and children turn against one another, leading to an epic battle for the throne.
Made in South Africa
100 Days to Fall in Love S1
Two good friends put their marriages on the line when one takes a break from her husband and the other reunites with an old flame.
Looking For Frida S1
An upper-class family’s perfect world is shattered when their daughter, Frida, suddenly disappears. As the search unfolds, everyone is a suspect, including Frida.
Diepe Waters S1-2
Diepe Waters follows a community set around a prestigious swimming club, the Swartmarlyne, owned by the Swarts family.
Made in South Africa
Arendsvlei S6
Afrikaans telenovela set at a fictional Cape Flats high school where teachers and pupils deal with issues like depression and addiction.
Made in South Africa
The Queen S1-6
The Khozas may be back on their A-game again, but their betrayal of Shaka and Brutus that might just cost them dearly.
Made in South Africa
Gomora S4
A socialite who’s used to the good life finds herself back in the township of her roots in this dramatic, addictive drama.
Made in South Africa
Suidooster S9
Binge all eight seasons plus new express episodes of Season 9 to enjoy all the drama of the residents of Ruiterbosch.
Made in South Africa
The Wife S1-3
Binge the full Seasons 1-3 of hit South African telenovela The Wife, only available on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
The Wife: Behind the Veil
Go behind the scenes of The Wife to find out more about the Zulu brothers and the women who love them in this eight-part exclusive special.
Made in South Africa
Lingashoni S1
The dramatic telenovela about a man’s life going full-circle after a decade-long memory loss is now streaming from the very beginning.
Legacy S1-2
The intrigue and machinations of the mega-loaded Price family are the subject of Legacy, M-Net’s riveting drama series.
Selina S1-5
Kenya’s most-watched telenovela is the Swahili smash hit Selina, about the star-crossed romance between Selina and Nelson. Will true love win?
Made in Kenya
Isibaya S1-7
The drama isn’t letting up in Isibaya. Binge it all from the beginning to the latest episode.
The Throne
Power struggles engulf the BaTswana kingdom. Make sure you have ringside seats for all the drama.
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Stream The Catch, The Real Housewives of Durban, The Mommy Club, and more of South Africa’s best reality shows on Showmax.
Made in South AfricaMablerh returns to host The Real Housewives of Durban reunion
Mablerh returns to host The Real Housewives of Durban reunion for the third year in a row. The Season 5 reunion drops in two parts on Showmax, premiering 4 July and 11 July 2025.
South African
Date My Family S1-12
Find your next bae based solely on the impression their family gives. That’s the format of Date My Family S1-12 on Showmax.
Bravo’s Love Hotel S1
The Real Housewives stars Shannon Beador, Gizelle Bryant, Ashley Darby, and Luann de Lesseps visit Mexico’s Grand Velas Hotel to find love among eligible bachelors.
Sorisha Naidoo on being an OG of The Real Housewives of Durban
Sorisha Naidoo reflects on her journey in The Real Housewives of Durban ahead of the highly anticipated Season 5 reunion, airing in two parts on Showmax, on 4 July and 11 July 2025.
Made in South Africa
Stars in The Valley’s Vanderpump universe
If you’re addicted to The Real Housewives and Love Island, and you’re not hooked into the Vanderpump Rules drama yet, brace yourself for The Valley!
Big Brother Naija S9: No Loose Guard
Relive all the exciting moments of BBNaija S9: No Loose Guard on Showmax, plus catch the reunion show, streaming from 24 June 2025.
Made in Nigeria
Nonku opens up about Untied, now streaming on Showmax
Nonku Williams spills the tea on why she agreed to be on the new Showmax Original talk show, Untied. Catch new episodes every Tuesday on Showmax, hosted by Relebogile Mabotja.
South AfricanNeed a touch of romance?
Turtles All the Way Down (2024)
A teenager with OCD tries to solve a mystery surrounding a fugitive billionaire in this movie based on John Green’s bestselling YA novel.
Renée Zellweger chats about Bridget Jones: Mad about the Boy
Renée Zellweger reveals why two men find 50-something widowed mom Bridget Jones simply irresistible – plus, we list 5 of our favourite romcom couples you can watch now.
Smothered S1
Despite growing tired of the struggles of modern dating, Sammy meets mild-mannered Tom and proposes an unconventional relationship for set time frame before they go their separate ways.
Nay Maps talks about starring in Showmax film Perfect Match
Nay Maps talks about playing Muzi in the Showmax Original film Perfect Match. Premiering on 12 April after debuting at the Joburg Film Festival.
South African
She Came To Me (2023)
Peter Dinklage stars in this romcom about love in all its forms. A composer suffering from writer’s block finds inspiration after an adventurous one-night stand.
Not My Type (2025)
A strict, old-fashioned young woman rejects every marriage proposal while waiting for the perfect match. When pressure mounts, she takes matters into her own hands and kisses a few frogs to find the one.
Made in South Africa
Lorraine Moropa finds “the one” in the Showmax film Not My Type
Lorraine Moropa talks her new film Not My Type and how love delayed is not love denied. The film premieres on Showmax on Valentine’s Day 2025.
South African17 South African romantic picks for the month of love – and all year round
These homegrown romcoms, romantic series and loved-up movies, all streaming on Showmax, will hit you right in the feels.
Made in South AfricaShows you'll find only on Showmax
Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy
This sensational documentary delves into the rise and fall of Diddy, offering insight into his childhood, his meteoric rise, and his arrest.
Sonic The Hedgehog 3
When Team Sonic meets their match in Shadow, they must form an unlikely alliance with Dr Robotnik to save the world.
Bravo’s Love Hotel S1
The Real Housewives stars Shannon Beador, Gizelle Bryant, Ashley Darby, and Luann de Lesseps visit Mexico’s Grand Velas Hotel to find love among eligible bachelors.
The Rehearsal S1-2
In this bizarre HBO docuseries people get a chance to rehearse for their own lives in a world where nothing ever works out as expected.