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.
Love reality series?
Must-watch trailer for upcoming Showmax talk show, Untied
Watch the explosive trailer for Untied, featuring eight South African celebrities who have gone through public divorces. Hosted by Relebogile Mabotja, the talk show premieres on Showmax on 24 June 2025.
South African
Married At First Sight Mzansi S1
Eight strangers, one goal – to meet their perfect match for the very first time at the end of the wedding aisle. Stream all of Married at First Sight Mzansi Season 1 while you wait for Season 2, on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
20+ addictive South African reality shows to stream
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 Africa
Londie London on RHODurban S5, her return and more
Londie London talks about returning to The Real Housewives of Durban Season 5 as a friend of the main cast. Catch new episodes every Friday on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Noksie on The Mommy Club S3 and the explosive reunion
Noksie talks about joining The Mommy Club S3, how she feels about the ladies and what went down at the explosive reunion, now streaming on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Stream all episodes of Married at First Sight Season 1 on Showmax
Binge-watch the whole of Married at First Sight Mzansi Season 1 on Showmax while you wait for Season 2 to land on Mzansi Magic and coming express to Showmax on Sunday, 6 July 2025.
Made in South Africa
The Roast of Helen Zille vs The Mommy Club reunion moments
Here are some of the jaw-dropping quotes and moments from The Showmax Roast of Helen Zille and The Mommy Club S3 reunion, now streaming on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Siza Mina S1-2
In this South African tabloid talk show, controversial guests who are not afraid to bare it all hang their dirty laundry out to dry in the open.
Made in South AfricaNeed 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
Iyanu S1
When a teenage orphan discovers she has magical powers, she embarks on a remarkable journey with her friends to discover the truth about the evil lurking in her homeland.
Made in Nigeria
Chimp Crazy S1
Tiger King filmmaker Eric Goode delivers another view into exotic animal owners – this time, focusing on the lengths chimpanzee “owners” go to keep their ape babies.
Wicked (2024)
An epic, star-studded first instalment in a two-part adaptation of the Broadway hit. A young woman with green skin forms an unlikely but profound friendship with a popular young woman.
Elphaba and Glinda’s Wicked little guide
Find out what Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have to say about Wicked, pick up 10 magical behind-the-scenes facts, and explore 7 more schools of witchcraft and wizardry.