If you’re wondering what to watch on Showmax this March, there are six local and African shows that may well be worth your time.
The popular online streaming platform has compiled suggestions that have already proven to be hits among viewers in South Africa and the continent. We outline them in this article.
What to watch on Showmax this March
Adulting S1 | Mondays from 20 March 2023
Set in Johannesburg, Adulting explores the parallel universes of four varsity friends. Their strong bond has held them together even as their journeys in life have taken them in very different directions. Theirs is the bromance of the decade.
Adulting is the first Showmax Original created by Tshedza Pictures’ Phatu Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon, who’ve won five Best Scriptwriting SAFTAs in the past four years for smash hit shows like The Republic and The River, which was also nominated for an International Emmy.
Thembinkosi Mthembu (Mabutho in The River, Junior in The Republic, and King Dingiswayo in the upcoming epic Shaka iLembe) stars as successful businessman Bonga, with Luthando BU Mthembu (Big Brother Mzansi, Ayeye: Stripped, Redemption) as toy-boy Vuyani, Thabiso Rammutsi (The Suit) as cheating family man Mpho, and Nhanhla Kunene (Muvhango, Lavish) as hot-headed bad-boy Eric.
Also look out for the likes of SAFTA nominee Winnie Ntshaba (The Herd, House of Zwide, Generations) and Sikelelwa Vuyeleni (Hope, House of Zwide) as Vuyani’s sugar mamma and Eric’s baby mamma respectively; Lungile Duma (The River, Durban Gen) as Mpho’s wife; and Buhle Samuels (Kings of Jo’burg, One Night KwaMxolisi) and newcomer Londeka Shishi as Bonga’s love interests.
Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story
Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story reveals a different side to the Springboks’ first black African captain, who led South Africa to victory at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
In addition to documenting his improbable rise to international stardom, the intimate documentary also sees Kolisi share the story of his complicated relationship with his father, his struggle with alcoholism, and his journey with wife Rachel.
An Orange Films and Star Films production for Supersport, Rise is directed by Tebogo “Tebza” Malope, who’s won Gold at Cannes Lions and the Grand Prix at the Loerie Awards, among other honours. The documentary boasts a soundtrack by Mandisi Dyantis and Haezer, who also edited the feature.
Survivor SA S9: Return of The Outcasts
Some were outwitted. Some were outplayed. But none could outlast. Until now… Survivor SA: Return of the Outcasts sees 20 returning players from the previous eight seasons of Survivor South Africa reignite their flames in a bid to take home double the prize money!
Once again hosted by Nico Panagio, the ninth season of South Africa’s very own take on the global hit franchise promised a second chance for some our favourite – and less favourite – former castaways to make it to that Final Tribal Council and claim a grand prize of R2 million in the world’s greatest game.
The Real Housewives of Nairobi
The Real Housewives of Lagos was the only title to crack the Showmax 10 most-streamed of 2022 lists across Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.
Now the ladies of Lagos have new competition, with new episodes of The Real Housewives of Durban every Wednesday, the Nairobi edition on Thursdays, and the Abuja edition on Fridays. Which city will have the best looks, the most luxe lifestyles, and the most inspiring women?
The Real Housewives of Nairobi has already set a new streaming record for the most first-day views on Showmax in Kenya. The series follows a group of dynamic women – Susan Kaittany, Vera Sidika, Sonal Maherali, Minne Kariuki and Lisa Christoffersen – as they navigate their lavish lifestyles, relationships and careers in Nairobi.
Superworm
Directed by South Africans Sarah Scrimgeour and Jac Hamman, Superworm recently won Best One-Off, Special or TV Movie at the Kidscreen Awards, where it was competing against Luck and Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas. It was also nominated for Best Special Production at the Annie Awards.
Superworm is super-long and super-strong, and always saves the day. But who can save him when he gets too full of himself and is captured by the evil Wizard Lizard? Superworm’s voice cast includes Oscar winner Olivia Colman (The Crown) as the narrator, Emmy nominee Matt Smith (House of the Dragon) as Superworm, and Ghanaian-British actor Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Paddington 2, Mary Poppins Returns) as the Wizard Lizard.
The Wife S3 | New episodes on Thursdays
The Wife is back from its short break and last Thursday’s episodes were loaded with drama, betrayal and the kind of shocking twists the show is loved for. Yes, Xoli and Mqhele went there. Yes, Naledi is pregnant. Yes, Tshedi finally came clean.
There’s now exactly a month left of the record-breaking, Twitter-topping, multi-award-winning show, with the finale scheduled for 6 April 2023. How will Mqhele and Hlomu’s toxic love story end? Will Qhaledi reunite and live happily ever after, despite their families’ rivalry? And what is Xoli going to do next? So many questions; so little time…