The best drama series and movies to stream on Showmax
These tearjerking drama series and movies will bring on all the feels – stream them all on Showmax, but be sure to keep the tissues handy, and bring along your nerves of steel.
We’ve got heart-pounding crime dramas, psychological thrillers where we know things aren’t all going to be okay, romantic dramas that clutch at our hearts, and devastating stories that unfold in emergency rooms, on the streets, in troubled homes and in workplaces of all kinds.
Widow Clicquot (2023)
This extraordinary period drama tells the story of Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, who, at the age of 20, became the head of the Veuve Clicquot champagne family.
Kites (2024)
On a night when Sihle is driving his DJ friends to their gig, things turn upside down when they get a call about a body in an apartment.
Made in South Africa
The Following Events are Based on a Pack of Lies
Two very different women, Alice, a formidable PA, and Cheryl, a bestselling fantasy author, become trapped in a triangle of epic proportions.
The Responder S2
An embattled first responder tackles a series of night shifts in Liverpool while trying to keep his head above water personally and professionally.
Hans Steek die Rubicon Oor (2022)
A 90-year-old widower wants to grow old on his own terms, but when he is forced into a retirement home, he leads a revolt against the management.
Made in South Africa
The Handmaid’s Tale S1-6
Based on the celebrated novel of the same name and starring the talented Elisabeth Moss, this dystopian drama focuses on the fight to take down the fascist regime of Gilead.
Pheletso (2025)
When a charming young man wakes up in the hospital with almost no recollection of how he ended up there, his relationship is put to the test.
Made in South Africa
Power Book III: Raising Kanan S1-4
Teenaged Kanan Stark works to join the family drug business in Queens in the prequel series to the hit show Power.
Accused S2
An engrossing anthology courtroom drama based on the acclaimed BBC crime series. Each episode follows a new defendant as they await their verdict, while flashbacks reveal how they ended up in court.
Killer Front Page S1
An ambitious journalist who dreams of attaining national recognition, like his father, gets obsessed with front-page headlines byline and winning the heart of his colleague. However, his life takes a dark turn when he gets fired.
Made in South Africa
Adam (2024)
In modern-day South Africa, 18-year-old Adam is sent to Prinsloo Bush School, where he faces brutal training from his militaristic teachers.
Made in South Africa
A Very Royal Scandal
This compelling British miniseries driven by Michael Sheen explores Emily Maitlis’s journey as a Newsnight journalist and Prince Andrew’s disastrous interview with her.
Shaka iLembe S1
Set in the 1700s, Shaka iLembe tells the story of the making of the iconic African king.
Made in South Africa
It Ends With Us (2024)
In this compelling, emotional film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, a woman finds herself reliving her childhood trauma when she falls for a charming neurosurgeon.
Suits LA S1
Ted Black, a former New York prosecutor, moves to LA to build a new law firm specialising in criminal and entertainment law in this spin-off of Suits.
The White Lotus S1-3
Follow the outrageous exploits of the employees and guests of an exclusive resort in this buzz-worthy HBO comedy drama.
Champions S1
Stakes are high in this fast-paced sports telenovela about Sne Modise as she battles life and work challenges while leading the Soshanguve Giants FC to success.
Made in South Africa
Transplant S1-4
Syrian refugee Dr Bashir Hamed and his sister Amira settle in Canada, where Bash uses his battle-tested ER medical skills at York Memorial Hospital.
Adulting S1-3
Adulting follows four varsity friends on their journey to find love and success in modern-day South Africa. Adulting S1-3 is ready to binge on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (2023)
The late Oscar-winning director William Friedkin adapts Herman Wouk’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. A young lieutenant is accused of a mutiny against his captain
Looking for something lighter?
Glam pics: Inside the star-studded Showmax Roast of Helen Zille
A look at the unforgettable moments from the Showmax Roast of Helen Zille at the Laugh Africa Comedy Festival, streaming from 16 May on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Faizon Love joins Laugh Africa Comedy Festival as new headliner
Laugh Africa Comedy Festival announces Faizon Love as the festival’s new international headliner, following Deon Cole’s withdrawal due to an unforeseen medical emergency.
Poppa’s House S1
Comedian Damon Wayans stars as a talk radio host who finds himself challenged when a new female co-host is hired and by still having to parent his adult son.
Showmax and Laugh Africa reveal the panel for the Roast of Helen Zille
The star-studded lineup of panelists at the Showmax Roast of Helen Zille includes Patricia de Lille, Loyiso Gola, Zwai Bala, JJ Tabane and more.
Made in South Africa
Perfect Match (2024)
A man seeks to secure his future by hastily proposing to his girlfriend. However, a case of mistaken identity during lobola negotiations leads him to enlist the help of a spirited woman.
Made in South Africa
April’s fools: Catch 10 of SNL’s biggest stars on Showmax
Documentary series SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night takes us behind the scenes of the longest-running sketch comedy series in the US. And while you might not know the show, you do know its stars!
Showmax and Laugh Africa announce the 2025 Roast of Helen Zille
Get ready for the Roast of Helen Zille at this year’s Laugh Africa Comedy Festival, happening from 2 May to 4 May at Sandton Convention Centre.
Made in South Africa
Sterring (2024)
A passionate action movie fanatic from Soshanguve dreams of becoming a big action star – and after accidentally stopping a robbery, his dreams might come true …
Made in South AfricaThese shows are out of this world
Bella Ramsey on Ellie’s new love interest in The Last of Us S2
Bella Ramsey talks about her award-winning role as Ellie in The Last of Us S2, and her new co-star, Isabela Merced. Catch new episodes every Monday.
10 things to know before watching The Last of Us Season 2
As the new season takes a five-year leap into the future, we recap what you need to know from The Last of Us Season 1, from a guide to the Infected, cults, militias and communities, to who still know about Ellie’s immunity.
The Last of Us S1-2
Joel and Ellie, a pair connected through the harshness of the world they live in, are forced to endure brutal circumstances and ruthless killers on a trek across post-pandemic America.
The Last of Us co-creator on why we all feel so protective of Ellie
Emmy winner Craig Mazin, co-creator and executive producer of The Last of Us, discusses why audiences feel so protective of Ellie. The new season premieres on M-Net and Showmax from 14 April 2025.
Breathe (2024)
Air-supply is scarce in the near future, forcing a mother and daughter to fight to survive when two strangers arrive desperate for an oxygenated haven.
Dune: Part Two (2024)
The second instalment in an epic two-part adaptation of Frank Herbert’s acclaimed novel. Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge.
Dune: Part Two – what lies ahead for Paul and Chani?
Dune: Part Two’s leads Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, and director Denis Villeneuve discuss their fates and the nitty-gritty of riding a sandworm across the desert.
Showrunner Alison Schapker on Dune: Prophecy
The Dune: Prophecy showrunner talks about creating the HBO series, now streaming on Showmax, with new episodes every Monday until 23 December.
Showmax is the home of HBO in Africa
Bella Ramsey on Ellie’s new love interest in The Last of Us S2
Bella Ramsey talks about her award-winning role as Ellie in The Last of Us S2, and her new co-star, Isabela Merced. Catch new episodes every Monday.
10 things to know before watching The Last of Us Season 2
As the new season takes a five-year leap into the future, we recap what you need to know from The Last of Us Season 1, from a guide to the Infected, cults, militias and communities, to who still know about Ellie’s immunity.
The Last of Us S1-2
Joel and Ellie, a pair connected through the harshness of the world they live in, are forced to endure brutal circumstances and ruthless killers on a trek across post-pandemic America.
The Last of Us co-creator on why we all feel so protective of Ellie
Emmy winner Craig Mazin, co-creator and executive producer of The Last of Us, discusses why audiences feel so protective of Ellie. The new season premieres on M-Net and Showmax from 14 April 2025.