6 May 2019
Love Shonda Rhimes? Watch these.
Feminism and female empowerment have become the holy grail of modern-day entertainment, with a number of TV shows and movies featuring, for the first time, strong female characters who challenge the status quo and prove that representation matters, even in the world of fiction – from Arya Stark’s kick-ass fierceness in Game of Thrones to June Osborne’s defiance in The Handmaid’s Tale to Annalise Keating’s gutsy brilliance in How to Get Away with Murder.
It’s certainly a great time to be alive, not only because of the empowerment we see on our screens, but because behind these great stories are female storytellers like Shonda Rhimes. Through her TV empire Shondaland, Rhimes has continued to create inspiring and complex female leads who are their own heroes, and who want nothing less than to dominate the world they live in. Through her powerful characters and bold storylines, Rhimes has taught us over and over that women don’t have to be saved to achieve what they want.
Love Shonda Rhimes? Watch these empowered women.
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. Stream now, with new episodes every Wednesday.
Koek S1
The crime comedy Koek, starring Cindy Swanepoel, now streaming on Showmax, with new episodes every Thursday.
Ekhaya Backpackers S1
Stream the Showmax Original comedy series Ekhaya Backpackers. All the episodes are now streaming.
The Roast of Minnie Dlamini: The roast everyone's been waiting on
Empini, coming soon
More Mzansi gold
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.
“This type of story has never been told in Afrikaans.” Koek director
SAFTA and Silwerskerm-winning director and cinematographer Johannes Pieter Nel talks about directing the critically acclaimed crime comedy Koek, now streaming on Showmax.
Youngins Season 1 Episodes 34-36: The heist
After Khaya reveals that he saw underaged photos in the principal’s messages, he and his friends plot revenge in episodes 34-36 of Showmax Original Youngins.