The best reality series hitting Showmax screens in April 2024

Showmax is at the forefront of giving viewers the best local and international reality shows. Audiences are spoiled for choice: whatever you like, there is something for everyone. 

Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show S1 | First on Showmax | Wednesdays from 10 April

Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show is a darkly funny documentary series about the Emmy-winning comedian’s tumultuous quest for love, sex, and truth.

The HBO Original had its world premiere at SXSW in March 2024 and currently has a 100% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes. 

Time says, “Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show makes reality TV – hilariously, painfully – real again,” while The Hollywood Reporter says, “I laughed and covered my eyes in mortification in equal measure — and since I finished my screeners, I haven’t stopped thinking about it.” 

The Real Housewives of Durban S4 | Showmax Original | Binge from 24 April 

The record-breaking The Real Housewives of Durban is in its fourth season and still tops the trends lists on X every week. 

In Season 4, returning wives Jojo Robinson, Maria Valaskatzis, Nonku Williams, Sorisha Naidoo and Silindile Wendy Ndlovu are joined by newcomers Ameigh Sibahle Thompson, Nqobile “Angel” Ndlela and Zamaswazi Ngcobo.

The ladies started the season on a healing journey, but nine weeks in they’ve drawn lines in the sand again regarding their friendships. On one side, we have Jojo, Maria, Nonku and Zama; on the other,  Ameigh, Angel, Slee and Sorisha. It seems like the drama is not stopping anytime soon – no matter how much the ladies try and move forward in their friendships, it seems like there is always a stumbling block that they just can’t overcome. 

Fans have also noticed the shade being thrown by the ladies in their confessionals, so there’s going to be lots to address in the reunion.

Widows Unveiled S1 | Showmax Original | Binge now 

Widows Unveiled is a reality show that takes a look at five widows who were married to public figures. The 10-part reality show, which has consistently been in the top 10 of the most watched shows on Showmax, documents the journeys of each woman from pain to triumph as they navigate the drama and scandal that followed the death of their husbands.

The cast includes PR specialist and marketing professional Lerato Sengadi, the widow of Motswako legend HHP; businesswoman Mpho Tshabalala, the widow of kwaito legend Mandoza; businesswoman Sikelelwa Ngubane, the widow of SAFTA-winning actor Menzi Ngubane; businesswoman Fundiswa Molefe, the widow of businessman John Molefe; and businesswoman Lerato Maphatsoe, the widow of former Defence Minister Kebby Maphatsoe.

The Mommy Club S2 | Showmax Original | Binge from 13 May

The record-breaking The Mommy Club is back for a second season and it is again giving luxe and all things motherhood. 

Returning OGs Hermajesty, Mrs Mops, Nunurai and Ratile are joined by newcomers Jabulile Sande and Nozipho Ntshangase as they give us an inside look at the lives of Johannesburg’s most elite mothers and the people who assist them as they build their empires.

In Season 2 of The Mommy Club, the ladies have touched on topics that affect a lot of families in South Africa: Mrs Mops discusses her financial situation openly, Ratile and Nozipho discuss alleged problems within their marriages, Hermajesty opens up about life after losing her husband, and Nunurai shows audiences the struggles of balancing being a new mom and a boss babe. Nothing is off limits as the mommies give us an all-access look into their lives. 

The Mommy Club is produced by POP24, which has produced Showmax hits such as Kwa Mam’Mkhize S2 and This Body Works For Me S1-2. 

The Real Housewives of Lagos S2 Reunion | Showmax Original | Stream now

Media personality Latasha Ngwube hosted the highly anticipated Season 2 reunion of The Real Housewives of Lagos, which has just been nominated as Best Unscripted Series at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.

The dramatic season follows the lives of Nigeria’s most affluent, trendsetting, wealthy and popular women: businesswoman influencer Laura Ikeji-Kanu, lawyer and luxury hair brand owner Chioma Ikokwu, celebrity stylist Toyin Lawani Adebayo, Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo, PR expert Mariam Timmer, fashion entrepreneur Tania Omotayo and former model and socialite Faith Morey.

In the reunion, we finally saw a face-off between Faith and Dr Rommel. The two could not agree on common ground and kept pointing accusing fingers at one another. A big factor in their arguments was their meeting timeline: Faith insisted they started talking in December 2022, while Dr Rommel disagreed, saying they met way before then, but he could not reveal more details due to his profession. 

We also got glimpses of unseen footage from the season. If you thought you saw all that Iyabo said about Laura and Faith, the reunion came with extra spice and unveiled all the discussions that were had behind closed doors, including body shaming and classism. 

The Real Housewives of Nairobi S1 | Showmax Original | Binge now

Last weekend, The Real Housewives of Nairobi was named Best TV Show at the 2024 Kalasha Awards, Kenya’s most prestigious prize.

Season 1 had all of Kenya talking, breaking records on Showmax in the country. It brought glamour, sass, plush parties, dramatic confrontations, unreliable allegiances – and a lot of self-discovery. 

The cast includes Susan Kaittany, who is a serial entrepreneur and owner of Posh Palace Hair Studio and Spa and Polished, with the latter being a luxury fragrance and skincare shop. Vera Sidika is a media personality and entrepreneur. Married to singer Brown Mauzo, she is one of Kenya’s most talked about celebrities, alongside her entrepreneurial ventures into the Spa and Herbal Tea industries. Sonal Maherali is a luxury influencer, fashion collector and entrepreneur. Minne Kariuki, who is an actress and entrepreneur. Lisa Christoffersen is an interior designer, author, business owner, rally driver and luxury safari curator. She is also the founder of Lioness Rally, the first women-only rally team in Kenya. Dr Catherine Masitsa is also part of the cast.

The Real Housewives of Nairobi is produced by Eugene Mbugua’s D&R Studios (formerly Young Rich Television) and is part of The Real Housewives franchise, licensed as a format by NBCUniversal Formats, which is part of Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.

This just in: Season 2 of The Real Housewives of Nairobi is coming soon to Showmax!

Bachelor in Paradise S9 | First on Showmax | Thursdays from 18 April

This season on Bachelor in Paradise, things get wetter and wilder than ever before as the hit reality show returns with a new cast  of standouts and fan-favourites from The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. 

New arrivals shake up the status quo immediately and love triangles turn into love squares and beyond as sexy dates have some couples changing their minds every week. 

Three more former Bachelorettes join Rachel Recchia on the beach, and someone is getting married in paradise! 

Die Brug | Binge from 25 April

In Die Brug [The Bridge], 12 strangers must work together to build a bridge in a remote, rugged and pristine location, with one hoping to walk away with prize money of R1 million. 

Neil Sandilands (Sweet Tooth, DAM) narrates the acclaimed kykNET adventure reality series, which is produced by multi-award winners Red Pepper Pictures (Big Brother South Africa). 

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip – South Africa | Showmax Original | Coming soon 

The Showmax Original The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip – South Africa brings together some of South Africa’s most iconic and memorable Housewives in a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Jamaica.

During this luxury journey, these formidable women will form unexpected friendships and face fresh new challenges with the aim to make this trip an unforgettable one. 

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip – South Africa cast members are as follows: LaConco (The Real Housewives of Durban S1-S2); Beverly Steyn (The Real Housewives of Cape Town S1); Londie London (The Real Housewives of Durban S2); Christall Kay (The Real Housewives of Johannesburg S1-S2); Liz Prins (The Real Housewives of Gqeberha S1); Melany Viljoen (The Real Housewives of Pretoria S1); Nonku Williams (The Real Housewives of Durban S1-S4) and Lethabo Lejoy Mathatho (The Real Housewives of Johannesburg S2-S3).