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.
Made in South Africa
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.
Made in South Africa
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.
Made in South Africa
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…
Made in South Africa
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?
Made in South Africa
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
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 Africa
Taylor 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 Africa
Steinheist
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.
Made in South Africa
The Ringleader: The Case of the Bling Ring (2023)
Rachel Lee was the “teenage mastermind” behind high-profile celebrity robberies in 2008. This candid documentary reveals her motivations.
The Habits of Gen Z
A captivating South African documentary series that follows the lives and challenges of being a Gen Z.
Made in South AfricaLooking for something lighter?
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 Africa
Showmax and Laugh Africa Comedy Festival are proud to announce headline act Deon Cole
Get ready for the return of the Laugh Africa Comedy Festival, featuring headliner Deon Cole. The event will take place from Friday, 2 May to Sunday, 4 May 2025 at the Sandton Convention Center.
Made in South Africa
The Righteous Gemstones and 5 more Danny McBride hustles
As The Righteous Gemstones returns for its final season, we look at 5 of writer-creator-actor Danny McBride’s best side hustles, from Eastbound & Down, to Halloween.
Danny McBride on how Bradley Cooper became the first Gemstone
Creator and star Danny McBride talks about the final season of the HBO comedy series The Righteous Gemstones, now streaming on Showmax.
Shows you'll find only on Showmax
Elisabeth Moss on the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale
Emmy winner Elisabeth Moss talks about the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale, now streaming on Showmax, with new episodes every Wednesday, express from the US.
8 catch-up points for The Handmaid’s Tale
With The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 now streaming on Showmax, we went back in time to catch you up on all the Gilead essentials.
The Handmaid’s Tale S4-6
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.
10 things that are “so hot” in Paris & Nicole: The Encore
Two decades after The Simple Life, BFFs Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie are back with a brand new project: Sanasa…the opera. We raised our opera glasses to look it over.