1 November 2019
The Passage S1
Doctors hunting for the ultimate cure to all of humankind’s disease realise the answer they’re looking for lies in a 250-year-old man living in a cave in Bolivia. It turns out that he’s a vampire, and he turns one of the doctors into Patient Zero for the virus that can potentially save people from any and all illnesses.
A few years on, and the virus is being tested through medical trials on death-row inmates, who’ve been incentivised with reduced sentences. They’ve all been infected with the virus – but what the scientists don’t realise is that these half-human, half-vampires are developing superhuman strength and telepathic powers – and they want to escape.
But then the scientists realise that they’ve been making a terrible mistake. They should have been testing the virus/vaccine on a child all along. Where to find a child who no one will notice is missing? That’s where ex-Special Forces agent Brad Wolgast comes in. He’s tasked with kidnapping a recently orphaned 10-year-old girl called Amy, but he can’t bring himself to do it. Instead, he and Amy go on the run, and develop a father-daughter bond on the way.
This bond is the strength of the show, writes the Guardian: “The developing father-daughter bond between Brad and Amy (a performance by 12-year-old Saniyya Sidney that belies her years and the fact that her character description for such a sturdy workhorse of a production surely comprised two words at most: ‘Sassy, scrappy’) … pulls it all together. Sidney and Gosselaar have real chemistry, sparking and bantering but nailing their (unsentimental) emotional moments as they grieve their losses. They lift the credibility of the whole thing, and are far better than they need to be.”
Original African stories by local talent
Untying Kantai
Untying Kantai follows King Kantai, a man who has spent 30 years of his life working hard to provide for his family, only to be conned out of his life savings. Stream from 9 May, with new episodes weekly.
Big Girl Small World
Stream the new Kenyan romcom series Big Girl Small World from 8 May, with new episodes every week.
Empini S1
Stream the Showmax Original drama series Empini from 23 May 2024.
Original Sin: My Son The Killer
Original Sin: My Son The Killer follows the murder of Andrea Venter by Gerhard Jansen van Vuuren, who then went on the run from South Africa to Brazil.
Tracking Thabo Bester
From the makers of Devilsdorp and the director of Convict Conman comes the true-crime documentary South Africa has been waiting for. All the episodes are streaming on Showmax.
The Illuminated
The Showmax Original docuseries The Illuminated explores different religious movements in South Africa. All episodes now streaming.
Koek S1
The crime comedy Koek, starring Cindy Swanepoel. All the episodes are streaming on Showmax.
Ekhaya Backpackers S1
Stream the Showmax Original comedy series Ekhaya Backpackers. All the episodes are now streaming.
What will be the cost of vengeance? Empini S1, coming soon
The Roast Of Minnie Dlamini, now streaming
More Mzansi gold
9 most shocking moments in The Illuminated
Are you strong enough to binge Showmax Original documentary series The Illuminated? Here’s what you’ll need to prepare yourself.
Youngins Season 1 Episode 37-39 recap: Expelled!
While the five’s video goes viral, they’re swiftly expelled and forced to return home following a disciplinary hearing in Episodes 37-39 of Showmax Original Youngins.
What to watch on Showmax in May 2024
Stream Barbie and Oppenheimer in South Africa now, only on Showmax. Plus a ton more great stuff coming in May.
The Mommy Club Season 2 Episode 11 recap: Cutting through
In episode 11 of The Mommy Club S2, Hermajesty hosts a ‘Healing with Hermajesty’ night picnic that turns sour. New episodes every Monday.