The best reality series to stream on Showmax right now

Showmax is the home of reality TV – from African favourites like The Real Housewives of Nairobi and BBNaija Season 9, to international hits like Survivor and the RHONY Ultimate Girls Trip.

Watch now, all the time

Big Brother Naija S9 | Stream live 24/7, with new episodes of The Buzz on Thursdays

It’s another season of premium entertainment as Big Brother Naija S9, dubbed No Loose Guard, streams live, 24/7, on Showmax. This time, Biggie hosts “dynamic duos” who will turn up the heat in his House and vie for the grand prize. However, the mystery is: will this grand prize be going to an individual or a pair?

Big Brother Naija is arguably the biggest show in Africa right now, after generating 1.8 BILLION votes last season. 

BBN is accompanied by the weekly Showmax Original talk show, The Buzz, hosted by Toke Makinwa, with new episodes every Thursday. On The Buzz, Toke, alongside celebrity guests and top BBNaija show commentators, dissects all the most shocking moments, giving their candid opinions and predictions in a no-holds-barred talk session. The show also features never-before-seen footage from the House. 

Binge now

The Real Housewives of Nairobi S2 | Binge now, including the two-part reunion

Media personality, radio presenter and actor Fareed Khimani returned to host the reunion of The Real Housewives of Nairobi S2, which aired in two parts. 

Now available to binge, Season 2 of The Real Housewives of Nairobi brought back OGs Dr Catherine Masitsa, Vera Sidika and Minne Kariuki. They were joined by three newcomers: competitive body-building athlete Farah Esmail, aesthetics entrepreneur Zena Nyambu, and mother of two and the wife to the Minister of Cabinet Affairs of South Sudan Reja Keji Lada. Together the ladies served us drama, opulence and everything we love. 

During the explosive two-part reunion, the ladies had the opportunity to address everything, with hard questions asked, friendships put to the test and rivalries once again rising to the surface.

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: RHONY Legacy | First on Showmax | Binge now

Missing The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: South Africa? Find out how our Housewives compare on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: RHONY Legacy, which brings together iconic former New York Housewives Kelly Killoren Bensimon, Luann de Lesseps, Dorinda Medley, Sonja Morgan, Ramona Singer and Kristen Taekman for what promises to be the trip of a lifetime. 

These beloved Housewives fan-favourites reunite to embark on an unforgettable adventure in beautiful Saint Barthelemy in the Caribbean, returning to the infamous house on Saline Beach from Season 5 of The Real Housewives of New York.

Daily Beast calls the series “a brilliant throwback to the franchise’s best cast” where “six of the greatest Housewives in the series’ history reunite for what might be its most nostalgic spinoff yet … a delectable mixture of hilarity and tension that will delight RHONY fans old and new.”

Survivor S46 | Binge now

18 new castaways, three new tribes, 26 days to outwit, outlast, outplay … and take home $1 million.

Multiple-Emmy-winning host Jeff Probst is ready to whisk us off to the idyllic Mamanuca Islands in Fiji for an all-new season of Survivor, filled with gruelling challenges, emotional tribal councils, alliances, betrayals and just about all the drama one island paradise can handle.  

The mega-hit reality competition show has won seven Emmys and is now up for two more, with 2024 nominations for Outstanding Host and Cinematography.  

Sundays

Married at First Sight Mzansi | Sundays until 8 September

Married at First Sight Mzansi features eight hopefuls who agree to participate in an extreme experiment by marrying a stranger. Special experts – including a spiritualist, a relationship coach, and a sociologist – use scientific matchmaking methods to determine each couple, who will not have met or had contact with each other until the wedding day.

The Mzansi Magic series then documents the relationships, including honeymoons and other relatable events of married life. 

After several weeks, each couple must decide whether to remain together or go their separate ways. This “sensational” show, as described by Glamour magazine, has been trending on X every week since its premiere.

Mondays

Die Ondernemers S1 |Binge episodes 1-4 now, with new episodes on Mondays 

Die Ondernemers follows three undertakers who have made death their business: Candice Austin, owner of Goodall & Bourne Funeral Undertakers; Jano van der Berg, owner of Van der Berg Funeral Services; and former Stormers rugby player Ramone Samuels, managing director of SamWill Funeral Services, which is co-owned by his brother, Springbok fullback Damian Willemse. 

Filled with laughter, tears, and hymns, Die Ondernemers is the latest reality show from POP24, the creative minds behind The Mommy Club, Bae Beyond Borders and This Body Works For Me – three of the 10 most-streamed South African shows on Showmax in 2023 – as well as Beaulah: Queens Van Die Kaap and The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice, which currently streaming on Showmax. 

Now in its fourth episode, we have seen the highs and lows of the funeral business and the grit it takes to work with dead people. The teaser already has over 2.9m views on TikTok.

Tuesdays

Born Into Fame | Tuesdays until 10 September

Born Into Fame is a Showmax Original reality show that puts the spotlight on the children of famous parents. It is an honest look at how their unique upbringing affected their lives – both the challenges and advantages their parents’ fame has brought with it. 

The cast includes AJ Mafokate and Owami Mafokate, who are both Arthur Mafokate’s children; Phila Madlingozi, the son of Ringo Madlingozi; Robbie Malinga Jr, the son of the late Robbie Malinga; Shamiso Mosaka, Azania Mosaka’s daughter; and the man of the moment, Tank The Rockstar, who is DJ Tira’s son. 

Thursdays

The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice | Binge episodes 1-3 now, with new episodes on Thursdays

The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice is a reality show that follows affluent mothers who are part of Durban’s Indian community.

The first spinoff from the smash-hit Showmax Original, The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice The cast includes Abigail Nepaul (41), Asharia Parsad (27), Christina Devraj (26), Devina Knowles (43), Kim Jones (33), Lenore Goss-Matjies (45), Neetasha Singh Bugwandin (36), and twins Losh and Resh Naidoo.

The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice is produced by POP24 (Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap). Over the past three weeks, we have gotten a glimpse into the fabulous lives of the ladies and they have been bringing the glamour, drama and opulence that viewers love to see. In the most recent episode, we saw a showdown between Christina and Lenore where both ladies put their issues on the table and confronted each other about things they were not happy about. 

Shebeen Queens S1 | Watch episode 1 now, with new episodes on Thursdays

Shebeen Queens is a reality show about the bold women behind popular Soweto shebeens Alina’s Place, Big Mama’s Tavern, and Rama Tavern.

Starring larger-than-life entrepreneurs Alina Sishange, Emily Thabang Leeuw aka Big Mama, and Xoliswa Shwayimba, the Showmax Original follows the shebeen queens as they try to balance parenting with keeping their businesses afloat in a cut-throat, all-hours industry that is filled with liquor and laughter – and has historically been male-dominated. 

Shebeen Queens is produced by Barkers Media (How To Manifest A Man) and directed by Mpho Lengane (Isencane Lengane). The teaser already has over 1.8m views on TikTok. 

Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap | Binge episodes 1-8 now, with new episodes on Thursdays

From The Mommy Club creators POP24, Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap is a reality TV show about Cape Town’s drag queens, including multi-award winner Emogan Moore, Miss Sovereign Western Cape winner Ina Propriette, Miss Cape Town Pride winner Kat Gilardi, SA’s Got Talent runner up Manila von Teez, Miss Gay Western Cape winner Maxine Wild, and rival house mothers BB Vahlour and Madison Scarr.

At MIPAfrica’s Inclusive Lens Awards on Tuesday, 3 September, Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap is up for Representation of LGBTIAQ+: Non-Scripted Series. As the Inclusive Lens citation says, “Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap is recognised for its authentic and vibrant portrayal of Cape Town’s drag queen scene, providing an eye-opening introduction to this colourful community while offering an insider’s look into the world of extreme transformations, fashion, and sisterhood.”

Big Brother Naija S9: The Buzz | Binge episodes 1-4 now, with new episodes every Thursday

It’s another season of premium entertainment as Big Brother Naija Season 9 premiered Sunday, 28 July. Stream the live, 24/7 drama on Showmax and the exclusive talk show, The Buzz, hosted by Toke Makinwa, from Thursday, 1 August, with new episodes every Thursday.

On The Buzz, Toke, alongside celebrity guests and top BBNaija show commentators, will dissect all the moments in this season of the reality show, giving their candid opinions and predictions in a no-holds-barred talk session. The show will also feature never-before-seen footage from the House and other engaging segments.

Fridays

Nai-Rich | Fridays from 30 August

Off the back of the record-breaking The Real Housewives of Nairobi, Showmax has unveiled its next Original reality series in Kenya, Nai-Rich. 

Nai-Rich takes viewers on a thrilling journey into the lives of five influential figures who have made their way to the top against all odds and are now making a killing out of it. They share their lives behind the glitz and glam of social media, giving viewers a glimpse behind the curtains of their drama-filled lives as they navigate friendship, love, family and business in the Kenyan entertainment industry.

Nai-Rich stars include celebrity make-up artist and businesswoman Phoina Wambui, brand influencer and entrepreneur Amber Ray, artist and producer Karuga Kimani – popularly known as KRG the Don – influencer and entrepreneur Risper Faith and businessman Kennedy Rapudo.