What to watch on Showmax in February 2024

Set your sights on Monday, 12 February for the big drop of new shows (you might also catch some early arrivals on Friday, 9 February). It’s a bonanza for local viewers, with brand-new Showmax Original series, two new seasons of fan-favourites The Mommy Club and The Real Housewives of Durban, and new international hit series airing for the first time ever in Africa, on Showmax. And for ultimate comfort viewing, guess where you can now watch all of The Office and all of Parks and Recreation!

Scroll down now for all the Original series and movies, and international series, movies and kids’ shows, coming to the new Showmax this February.

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South African Originals: new series

Red Ink | Stream from 12 February | New episodes on Tuesdays

Crime drama. Author Angela Makholwa-Moabelo co-wrote and executive produced this Showmax Original adaptation of her bestselling debut novel Red Ink, with Thishiwe Ziqubu. Angela’s company Britespark Films produced the series in collaboration with Bomb Productions (Shaka iLembe).
Imprisoned serial killer Napoleon “The Butcher” Dingiswayo (Bonko Khoza) approaches journalist turned publicist Lucy Khambule (Nqobile Nunu Khumalo) to tell his story.

Catch Me a Killer | Stream from 12 February | New episodes on Wednesdays

True crime drama co-production between Showmax and Germany’s Night Train Media. Writers include SAFTA winner Amy Jephta (Skemerdans). Newly-qualified forensic psychologist Micki Pistorius (Charlotte Hope) becomes South Africa’s first-ever serial-killer profiler during the mid-1990s – getting into the minds of monsters from The Station Strangler, to Stewart ‘Boetie Boer’ Wilken.

Youngins | Stream from 12 February | 3 new episodes each Thursday

Long-running young adult drama from Tshedza Pictures (Adulting). Worlds collide for five wildly different students at Olifantsfontein High when the troubled new girl from the rurals stumbles upon one of the boarding school’s most messed up secrets. Ayakha Ntunja, Kealeboga Masango, Lebohang Lephatsoana, Toka Mtabane, Thabiso Ramotshela star, with Loyiso MacDonald and Sanna Mchunu.

Wyfie | Stream from 12 February | 2 new episodes each Tuesday

Long-running young adult drama from Homebrew Films (Trompoppie). Four mismatched roommates in residence at the fictional Eike university in Stellenbosch take the leap into “adult” life and choices. With Beata Bena Green, Celeste Loots, Kristen Raath, and Mienke Ehlers, and a killer soundtrack by Peach van Pletzen, including the last song that Angie Oeh recorded before her death in August 2023.

Widows Unveiled | Stream from 12 February | New episodes each Monday

Reality from Passionlane Productions (Uthando Nes’thembu). Five widows navigate life in the spotlight and private grief following the deaths of their high profile husbands. With marketing professional Lerato Sengadi (widow of Motswako legend HHP); businesswoman Mpho Tshabalala (widow of kwaito legend Mandoza); businesswoman Sikelelwa Ngubane (widow of actor Menzi Ngubane); businesswoman Fundiswa Molefe (widow of businessman John Molefe); and businesswoman Lerato Maphatsoe (widow of former Defence Minister Kebby Maphatsoe).

Ekhaya Backpackers | Stream from 22 February | New episodes each Thursday

Comedy. The dysfunctional Mthembu family turns their home into a backpackers, and themselves into township tour guides with a flair for drama that twists the truth – all to save the property from a loan shark. With Kwenzo Ngcobo and Abdul Khoza, Felix Hlophe, Eve Rasimeni, Thobani Mbhele, Florence Mokgatsi, and Monnye Kunupi.

Koek | Stream from 29 February | New episodes each Thursday

Crime drama written by Christiaan Olwagen (Kanarie, Recipes for Love & Murder) and directed by Pieter Nel (Magda Louw). Regular housewife Christelle (Cindy Swanepoel) falls into the hands of a Cape Town mob boss (Sandra Prinsloo) who has her fingers in sex and organ trafficking. With Stian Bam, Ashley de Lange, Dawid Minnaar, Vinette Ebrahim, and Jacques Bessenger, and look out for Jack Parow.

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South African Originals: new seasons

The Real Housewives of Durban S4 | Stream from 12 February | New episodes each Wednesday

Reality. It’s shark bite season! Sorisha Naidoo, Nonku Williams, Slee Ndlovu and Maria Val who’ve been with RHODurban since S1, welcome three newcomers: fashion television host Zama Ngcobo, Ameigh Thompson, and Angel Ndlela.

The Mommy Club S2 | Stream from 19 February | New episodes each Monday

Reality. Jozi’s most glamorous moms return to life in the school dropoff lane. Hermajesty, Mrs Mops, Nunurai and Ratile are back in business and two new moms, Nozipho Zulu and Jabulile Sande, join the 1% party.

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Nigerian Originals: new series

Sadau Sisters | Stream from 12 February | New episodes weekly

Reality. Actress Rahama Sadau and her three sisters – Aisha, Fatima, and Zaina – reunite in a new home and a new city, then take us along to explore their personal lives, fame, family and business, as they strive to heal from family trauma and controversies.

Cheta M S1 | Showmax Original | Stream from 12 February | New episodes Wednesday to Friday

Long-running epic drama from producer-director James Omokwe (Diiche, Ajoche). Young lovers Adanna (Oluchi Amajuoyi) and Nnanna (Kingsley Nwachukwu) face challenges from political drama between the kingdoms of Mgberi and Ajaani, But not even witchcraft can truly make them forget their love for one another. With Ruby Okezie, Nnenna, and Nonso Odogwu.

Freemen | Stream from 12 February | New episodes weekly

Seven-part docu-series co-produced by rapper Tobechukwu “ ILLBLiSS “ Ejiofor, who also collaborated on the soundtrack. Prominent Igbo businessmen – including Dr Anene Okeke, Dr Cosmas “Coscharis” Maduka, Obinna “Obi Cubana” Iyiegbu, Ndubuisi Ekekwe, Okey Japan, Bartholomew Duru Nwanguma, and his son Peter Nwanguma – reflect on how the Igbo Apprenticeship System shaped their careers.

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Nigerian Originals: new seasons

Flawsome S2 | Stream from 12 February | New episodes each Thursday

Drama. Bella Naija Style’s Most Fashionable TV Show of 2023 is back, and our four friends – Ifeyinwa (Bisola Aiyeola) the tech exec, Ramat (Ini Dima-Okojie) the “perfect” wife, Ivie (Sharon Ooja) the fashionista, and Dolapo (Enado Odigie) the career crisis girl – had better brace for drama from head writer Dami Elebe (The Men’s Club) and director and executive producer Tola Odunsi (The Men’s Club).

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Nigerian Originals: new movies

The Counsellor | Now streaming

Romantic comedy. Gbenro and Aisha, who’ve been unlucky in love in the past, fall head over heels. But when they get engaged and start planning a wedding within eight weeks of knowing one another, their families slam on the brakes. To prove their love, they’ll have to pass a zany marriage counsellor’s ten-step programme.

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Ghanaian Originals: new seasons

ENO S2 | Stream from 12 February | New episodes Thursdays

Drama, co-produced by Shirley Frimpong-Manso and Sparrow Studios’ Ken Attoh. Strict mother Abena (Baafi Gloria Osei-Sarfo) lost one daughter to the money-first lifestyle she forced her into. Can she save the other two? The story picks up a few months after the events of the S1 finale, and as Abena prepares for the birth of her new child, her estranged husband’s secret daughter Nana Akua Sarpong (Darlyn Adu-Gyamfi) makes a dramatic entrance into their lives.

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South African series

Mooiweer en Warm S1 | Binge from 12 February

Drama series produced by Nagvlug (Donkerbos). Reverend Issie Boshoff (Marisa Drummond) is struggling to raise funds for her highveld church when successful event organiser Alex Kemp (Geon Nel) proposes hosting a weekly flea market on the church grounds. With Deon Lotz, Tinarie van Wyk Loots, Brümilda van Rensburg, and Paul du Toit.

Mnakwethu Happily Ever After? S3 | Binge from 26 February

Reality series in which Musa Mseleku tries to help men who want to turn their own marriages polygamous. Kicking off the season, Musa tries to introduce Siyabonga’s first wife to his girlfriend, but tempers flare when the newcomer makes a big mistake, and it turns out that the girlfriend already has a secret child by Siyabonga.

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International series only on on Showmax

HALO S2 | Only on Showmax | Stream from 12 February | New episodes weekly

Sci-fi game adaptation foom exec producer Steven Spielberg and showrunner David Wiener (Fear the Walking Dead). Cybernetically enhanced super-soldier Master Chief John-117 (Pablo Schreiber) and his team of Spartans are back on the frontlines of the 26th-Century war between humanity and the alien Covenant. John is convinced that the Covenant are preparing to attack humanity’s greatest stronghold and sets off to find the only thing that’ll save mankind from extinction – the Halo. Joseph Morgan and Cristina Rodlo join the cast this season.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves | Only on Showmax | Stream from 12 February | New episodes each Friday

Drama anthology series about the untold stories of the most legendary lawman in the American Old West. Based on Sidney Thompson’s award-winning trilogy of historical novels, co-executive produced by Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan and David Oyelowo, with showrunner-creator Chad Feehan (Ray Donovan, Banshee). The first season tackles Bass Reeves (David Oyelowo), the enslaved and freed man who became the first Black US Marshal west of the Mississippi and went on to put over 3000 outlaws in chains.

Found S1 | Only on Showmax | Stream from 12 February. New episodes each Thursday

Police procedural created by Nigerian-American Nkechi Okoro Carroll (All American: Homecoming). Recovery specialist Gabi Mosely (Shanola Hampton) and her team of kidnapping survivors search for missing people forgotten by the system. But Gabi has an inside source – Hugh “Sir” Evans (Mark-Paul Gosselaar), the man who stole her as a child. The series shines a light on real-life non-profit organisations like the Black and Missing Foundation.

SAS Rogue Heroes S1 | Only on Showmax | Stream from 12 February | New episodes each Thursday

Historical action-drama based on the book of the same name by Ben Macintyre. The “mostly true” story of how the British Army Special Air Service unit was formed during WWII. With Connor Swindells as SAS founder David Stirling, plus Alfie Alle, Jack O’Connell, and Dominic West.

Ted S1 | Only on Showmax | Binge from 12 February

Comedy, written and directed by Seth MacFarlane. In this prequel to the Ted movie, Ted (voiced by Seth MacFarlane) – the swear bear who was brought to life thanks to a wish that his best friend, John (Max Burkholder,) made – is headed to school. It’s the mid-1990s, John is 16 now, and Ted is forced to navigate high school bullies and cliques alongside him.

Funny Woman S1 | Only on Showmax | Stream from 12 February | New episodes each Thursday

Comedy based on Nick Hornby’s bestselling novel Funny Girl, adapted by British comedian Morwenna Banks (Slow Horses), and directed by Oliver Parker. Blackpool beauty queen Barbara Parker (Gemma Arterton) tries to make it as a comedian in London at the height of the Swinging Sixties. With Tom Bateman, David Threlfall, and Rupert Everett.

Killing It S1 | Only on Showmax | Stream from 12 February | New episodes each Thursday

Comedy from the Brooklyn Nine-Nine creative team. Disaster-prone wannabe entrepreneur Craig Foster (Craig Robinson) enters the Florida Python Challenge –.a competition to see which weirdo can kill the most invasive snakes –.in pursuit of the prize money, which would be enough to launch his own business.

Bupkis S1 | Only on Showmax | Stream from 12 February | New episodes each Thursday

Comedy. A heightened version of the life of Pete Davidson, the SNL sketch comedian and Kim Kardashian/Ariana Grande boyfriend. With Edie Falco as Pete’s mother, Joe Pesci as his grandfather, and an all-star guest cast including Al Gore, Jon Stewart, Method Man, Nathan Fillion, Steve Buscemi, and J.J. Abrams.

Race to Survive: Alaska S1 | Only on Showmax | Stream from 12 February | New episodes weekly

Competitive reality. With $500 000 (about R9.5 million) at stake, eight teams of elite athletes who’re given no food or shelter must survive off the land over the course of six different race legs, 46 days, and 300 square miles (about 700 square km), through mountain ranges, prehistoric glaciers and old growth coastal rainforests.

Victoria’s Secret: Angels and Demons | Only on Showmax | Binge from 12 February

True crime documentary series directed by Matt Tyrnauer. On the runway the world’s most famous models put on a dazzling lingerie show with their angel wings. But behind the scenes the promise of access to vulnerable young women drew exploiters from all corners, including sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

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Other international series

Alert: Missing Persons Unit S1 | Binge from 27 February

Police procedural drama created by Jamie Foxx and writer-producer John Eisendrath (Alias, The Blacklist). Detective Nikki Batista (Dania Ramirez) joins the Philadelphia Police Department’s Missing Person’s Unit after her son, Keith, goes missing. She and her partner and ex-husband, Detective Jason Grant (Scott Caan) work tirelessly to help other people find their loved ones.
Binge from 27 February

Accused S1 | Binge from 21 February

Legal drama anthology developed by Howard Gordon (Homeland, 24), based on Jimmy McGovern’s Emmy-winning 2010 British series. Accused centres on the defendant in a different court case in each episode. With Wendell Pierce as Detective Trent Douglas, Michael Chiklis, Keith Carradine, Abigail Breslin, Rachel Bilson, Jason Ritter, Lauren Ridloff, Margo Martindale, and Rhea Perlman.

The Rookie S5 | Binge from 22 February

Action dramedy. The LAPD’s oldest rookie, John Nolan (Nathan Fillion), is back battling serial killer Rosalind Dyer (the late Annie Wersching), while romance stirs for Chen (Melissa O’Neil) and Bradford (Eric Winter) when they go undercover together, and an old enemy zeroes in on Bailey (Jenna Dewan). Lisseth Chavez joins the cast as rookie Celina Juarez. With guest appearances by Kelly Clarkson, Lance Bass, James Lesure, Felicia Day, and Flula Borg. Episode 21 features a crossover event with The Rookie: Feds.

Home Economics S2 | Binge from 28 February

Comedy. Money and privilege matters more than ever for adult siblings Tom (Topher Grace), Connor (Jimmy Tatro) and Sarah (Caitlin McGee), as they, their partners, and their kids, deal with the ups and downs of the financial see-saw. Guests this season include Danica McKellar and Cheech Marin.

Malpractice S1 | Binge from 29 February

British medical drama created and written by former NHS doctor Grace Ofori-Attah. Dr Lucinda Edwards’ (Niamh Algar) is sucked into a vortex of hospital politics, privilege, pharmaceutical company conspiracies, and finger pointing when a nightmare shift ends in the death of an opioid overdose victim in her care.

Headhunters | Stream from 16 February | 3 new episodes each Friday

This dark corporate thriller, set around 2002, is a prequel to the novel of the same name by Norwegian author Jo Nesbø, and its 2011 cult film adaptation. Ruthless corporate headhunter Roger Brown (Axel Bøyum) has backstabbed his way to success but when his lies and betrayals catch up with him, he becomes a loose cannon. With Martin Wallström.

Run the World S2 | Binge from 26 February

Comedy created by Leigh Davenport. We’re back with three of our fabulous friends for a second and final season in Harlem, starting with Whitney’s (Amber Stevens West) love on the line, and Ella’s (Andrea Bordeaux) decision to stay in Mexico reminding Sondi (Corbin Reid) and Renee (Bresha Webb) that it’s never a bad time to choose yourself.

Queens Court S1 | Stream from 12 February | New episodes weekly

Dating reality. Producer Will Packer (Girls Trip) brings together three famous single women – singer and reality star Tamar Braxton; author and reality star Evelyn Lozada; and R&B singer Nivea – for an epic new dating series.

Lionesses: How Football Came Home | Binge from 2 February

Sports documentary on England’s victorious Women’s EURO 2022 football team, with personal home movie footage, childhood stories and exclusive new interviews from the players including the Lionesses’ captain Leah Williamson, Jill Scott, Mary Earps, Fran Kirby, Keira Walsh, Nikita Parris, ex-Lioness players, journalists and more.

The Office S1-9 | Binge from 12 February

Multi-award winning mockumentary workplace comedy adapted from Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s UK version by Greg Daniels. Come inside the everyday work lives and cringe-worthy antics of the staff at the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. With Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski and Mindy Kaling. One of the best-loved comedies of all time.

Parks & Recreation S1-7 | Binge from 12 February

This multi-award winning mockumentary workplace comedy created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur gets local politics spot on. Perky mid-level bureaucrat Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is determined to make her little American town just a little bit more fun through the Parks and Recreation Department, whether the staff will cooperate or not. With Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Adam Scott, Rob Lowe, Aziz Ansari, and Chris Pratt.

Full Circle S1 | Binge from 22 February

Crime drama inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film, High and Low, and directed by Steven Soderbergh. An investigation into a botched kidnapping uncovers long-held secrets that connect multiple characters and cultures in New York City. With Claire Danes, Jharrel Jerome, Jim Gaffigan, Zazie Beetz, and Timothy Olyphant.

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International movies

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning | Stream from 12 February

Action directed by Christopher McQuarrie. Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is on a deadly race around the globe to track down a terrifying, all-powerful weapon before it falls into the wrong hands. With Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Hayley Atwell.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse | Stream from 18 February

Animated comic book action and winner of Best Animated Feature at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards. Brooklyn Spider-Man Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) and Gwen Stacey (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld) meet the team of Spider-People – including coolest Spider-Man ever, Hobie Brown, aka Spider-Punk (voiced by Daniel Kaluuya) – who’re charged with protecting the multiverse, but find themselves debating how to be a hero.

No Hard Feelings | Stream from 5 February

Comedy. Rideshare driver Maddie (Jennifer Lawrence) thinks she’s found the perfect side gig to stave off bankruptcy when she discovers an intriguing job listing: wealthy helicopter parents looking for someone to “date” their introverted 19-year-old son, Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman), before he leaves for college.

Gran Turismo | Stream from 12 February

Biographical sports drama. Directed by South African Neill Blomkamp, and based on the true story of Jann Mardenborough, a British teen player of the computer game Gran Turismo who became a professional racing car driver. With Archie Madekwe as Jann, and David Harbour as Jack Salter (a character based on John Paul “Johnny” Herbert), who mentors the Gran Turismo players training as racing drivers for the reality series GT Academy.

Babylon | Stream from 29 February

Dark comedy-drama. La La Land director Damien Chazelle swings the spotlight back to decadent, depraved Hollywood in the years between the mid 1920s, and the early 1950s, from when “Talkies” took over from silent films, to the debut of Singin’ In the Rain. With Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Jean Smart, Jovan Adepo, and Olivia Wilde.

The Whale | Stream from 1 February

Drama directed by Darren Aronofsky and written by Samuel D Hunter, based on his 2012 play of the same name. A reclusive English teacher (Brendan Fraser, who won a 2023 Best Actor Oscar for the role) living with severe obesity attempts to reconnect with the estranged teenage daughter, Ellie (Sadie Sink), he abandoned as a child when he left his marriage for his lover.

Kandahar | Stream from 19 February

Action drama written by former Defence Intelligence Agency officer Mitchell LaFortune, and directed by Ric Roman Waugh. Undercover CIA operative Tom Harris (Gerard Butler) and his translator (Navid Negahban) flee from elite enemy forces and foreign spies tasked with hunting them through hostile territory in Afghanistan.

Fool’s Paradise | Stream from 26 February

Satirical comedy written and directed by Charlie Day. Down-on-his-luck publicist Lenny (Ken Jeong) helps “Latte Pronto” (Charlie Day), a man recently released from a mental health facility, to step into the shoes of his doppelganger, an eccentric, reclusive Hollywood method actor. With Kate Beckinsale, Adrien Brody, Common, John Malkovich, Jason Sudeikis, Edie Falco, Jason Bateman, and the late Ray Liotta.

Praise This | Stream from 22 February

Musical comedy from the producers of Girls Trip, Think Like a Man, and They Cloned Tyrone, and directed and co-written by Tina Gordon. Talented aspiring singer Sam (Chloe Bailey) is forced to join her cousin Jess’s (Anjelika Washington) struggling, underdog praise team choir in the lead-up to their national championships.

Call Jane | Stream from 26 February

Drama directed by Phyllis Nagy (Carol, Mrs Harris). In late-1960s Chicago, a married woman named Joy (Elizabeth Banks), who’s facing a death sentence thanks to pregnancy complications, and an abortion ban, seeks help from local women’s health activists Virginia (Sigourney Weaver) and Gwen (Nigerian-born Wunmi Mosaku), who’re part of the Jane Collective – a (real life) underground organisation helping women to secure safe illegal abortions.

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Also watch

1 February

Bubble Guppies S6, Butterbean’s Cafe S2, Cheer, Murder, Drama, Tower Heist, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins

5 February

Definitely, Maybe, Hot Wheels: Monster Truck Live S1, It’s Complicated, Raa Raa the Noisy Lion, Sengkathele S5, Space Pups

8 February

Beautiful Disaster, Kwanjomane S1, One True Loves, Perfectly Single

12 February

Love Back S6, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, Roary The Racing Car S2

15 February

A Million Ways To Die In The West, Legion of Super-Heroes, The Mummy

19 February

The Battle for Justina Pelletier, The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Legacy, The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum, Jason Bourne, Terrific Trucks S1, The Mummy

20 February

Arctic from Above

22 February

Sisters, Ted, Ted 2, The Best Man, The Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of The Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World

26 February

Baby Mama, Doom, Harriet

29 February

21 Grams, Inglorious Basterds, Love & Loss S1, The Nutty Professor, The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps