Top crime series to binge-watch on Showmax
Feel like sinking your teeth into a gritty thriller, crime caper or police procedural series? Here are some of the most addictive series that fit the bill, all available on Showmax.
Prepare to be gripped by police procedurals that take you behind the scenes of law enforcement, gritty stories of ordinary people turning to a life of crime to secure their families’ futures, and shows about the pursuit of justice in all its forms. These crime series on Showmax are sure to keep you hooked for hours on end.
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.
Red Eye S1
A London police officer is escorting a man back to Beijing where he has been accused of a crime, when an escalating conspiracy unfolds on board flight 357.
Marmalade (2024)
A recently incarcerated man narrates the colourful tale of a romantic bank heist with the love of his life, Marmalade.
The Rookie S6
The oldest rookie in the LAPD uses his life experience, determination and sense of humour to keep up with colleagues 20 years his junior.
Get Millie Black S1
An ex-Scotland Yard detective returns to Jamaica to work on missing persons cases, and soon finds herself on a the toughest quest case of her career.
The Day of the Jackal
Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne stars as the unrivalled and highly elusive lone assassin, the Jackal, who makes his living carrying out hits for the highest fee.
Found S2
Found follows recovery specialist Gabi Mosely as she and her team work tirelessly to find missing people forgotten by the system.
White Lies S1
Natalie Dormer drives this thrilling crime drama set in the Mother City. When an investigative journalist’s estranged brother is murdered, she’s drawn into the underworld of Cape Town.
Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent S1
This spin-off of the hit crime drama franchise follows an elite squad investigating corruption and high-level criminality in the Greater Toronto.
Sweetpea S1
Rhiannon Lewis doesn’t make much of an impression – until she is pushed over the edge and loses control. Her life transforms, but can she keep her killer secret?
Heist 88 (2023)
In this captivating heist thriller inspired by a daring true story, a criminal mastermind recruits a group of young bank employees to steal $80 million.
Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist S1
An explosive star-studded limited series based on the infamous story of an armed robbery after Ali’s historical comeback fight.
Devil’s Peak S1
This crime series follows Detective Benny Greissel in his quest to track down a righteous vigilante killer in Cape Town.
The Truth vs Alex Jones
This doccie looks at how families of the victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting took conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to court for spreading lies about the event being a hoax.
The Penguin S1
Based on the DC Comics character, Penguin, this limited series explores the transformation of Oswald Cobblepot (Colin Farrell) from a disfigured nobody to a noted Gotham gangster.
Die Bloedhonde (2024)
Katrien is on holiday with her family when an unexplained death gives her reason to suspect the beloved local pastor of foul play…
Tell Them You Love Me (2023)
A true-crime documentary about the university professor who had a controversial affair with a non-verbal man with cerebral palsy.
Dr Death S1-2
Investigative journalist Benita Alexander discovers a new subject in world-renowned surgeon Paolo Macchiarini, known as The Miracle Man.
Daar’s Bloed (2023)
A famous South African actress becomes paranoid when private photos of her appear in a magazine. Does she have a stalker?
Fargo S5
Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning anthology series about a crime in an unassuming town. This season, housewife Dot finds herself plunged into her past.
Eye-opening documentaries to stream
Anatomy of Lies: Women who con
Grey’s Anatomy’s most shocking medical case took place behind the scenes. Find out how co-executive producer and writer Elisabeth Finch faked cancer and personal tragedy, and meet five more of the world’s most questionable con women.
Anatomy of Lies S1
This riveting doccie series reveals the rise and fall of Grey’s Anatomy star writer Elisabeth Finch, whose jaw-dropping lies fooled Hollywood for years.
SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night S1
SNL creator Lorne Michaels commemorates the show’s 50th anniversary. Featuring a look into the audition and writing processes, a deep dive into the ‘More Cowbell’ sketch, and an exploration of SNL’s 11th season.
Eye-opening homegrown documentaries to stream
These unmissable South African shows and movies deliver surprising insights on the country we’re living in today.
Made in South AfricaTaylor Mac’s 24-Decade History of Popular Music (2023)
An epic documentary about Taylor Mac’s flamboyant 24-hour-long musical odyssey covering 24 decades of American popular music.
The Golden Boy: Oscar De La Hoya (2023)
This explosive two-part sports documentary peels back the layers of this celebrated yet complicated figure.
Director Richard Gregory on how he nearly turned down Steinheist
Showmax is now streaming two new episodes of Steinheist, which go even deeper into unpacking SA’s biggest corporate scam and how the net tightened around former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste.
Made in South AfricaSteinheist
Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste got caught pulling the scam of the century. Follow the money in this Showmax Original documentary series that investigates the events leading to his suicide in 2024.
Looking for something lighter?
Showmax brings the laughs, from Nikki Glaser to Ramy Youssef
Discover 5 of HBO’s recent stand-up comedy specials now available to stream on Showmax, from the likes of Seth Meyers, Nikki Glaser, Ramy Youssef and more.
The Showmax Roast of Helen Zille: Burn unit
Get your ice and aloe gel ready: we’ve scooped just 25 of the best burns from Laugh Africa Presents: The Showmax Roast of Helen Zille.
Made in South Africa
Laugh Africa Presents: The Showmax Roast of Helen Zille
South African comedy royalty Tumi Morake and Trevor Gumbi take the reins as Roast Masters. With Helen Zille in the hot seat and a cross-section of South African voices – anything can happen.
Made in South Africa
Nikki Glaser: Someday You’ll Die
In her hilarious, unapologetic, and brutally honest style, Nikki Glaser tackles a wide range of taboo topics, including why she doesn’t want kids.
Wicked Little Letters (2023)
Set in the 1920s, this witty comedy-drama is based on the true story of a rowdy Irishwoman who is accused of sending letters full of hilarious profanities to her English neighbours.
Helen Zille on her Showmax Roast and a legacy of laughter
Helen Zille shares her thoughts on her Showmax Roast and her reasons for agreeing to it. Stream from Friday, 16 May on Showmax.
South African
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2024)
Bridget’s back, and ready to start dating again as a single mom and widow in her 50s. She finds herself pursued by a younger man, and (maybe?) her son’s science teacher.
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 AfricaShows you'll find only on Showmax
Paramount+ with Showtime greenlights Season 4 of Yellowjackets
With release dates for Season 4 of Yellowjackets yet to be announced, stream every episode of Seasons 1-3 of the horror-thriller-coming-of-age drama series on Showmax.
Nikki Glaser: Someday You’ll Die
In her hilarious, unapologetic, and brutally honest style, Nikki Glaser tackles a wide range of taboo topics, including why she doesn’t want kids.
Movie fight club: Gladiator II and more intense punch-ups
For their Gladiator II fight to stand up to rhinos, sharks and sea battles, Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal had to do more than wave their swords at each other. We break it down along with 8 other films’ most intense punch-ups.
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.