If you’re wondering what to watch on Showmax right now or in the next few days or weeks, there are some exciting local highlights that could tickle your fancy.
For instance, The Woman King, which was shot in South Africa and Ghana and in which Thuso Mbedu has a meaty role, starts streaming on 10 June. Check out five South African (or African) suggestions streaming on Showmax below.
Local highlights to stream on Showmax
1. The Woman King | Stream from 10 June
Some things are worth fighting for … The Woman King is inspired by the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the West African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s.
Shot in South Africa and Ghana with Moonlighting, The Woman King follows the epic journey of General Nanisca (Oscar winner Viola Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits in preparation for battle against colonialists determined to destroy their way of life.
Davis won Best Actress in an Action Movie at the 2023 Critics Choice Super Awards, while The Woman King took home six wins at this year’s Black Reel Awards, including Outstanding Film, Director (Gina Prince-Bythewood from The Old Guard), Ensemble Cast, Score (five-time Grammy winner Terence Blanchard) and Outstanding Breakthrough Actress for Pietermaritzburg-born South African actress Thuso Mbedu (Is’Thunzi, The Underground Railroad).
Besides Mbedu, other South Africans in the cast include rising star Masali Baduza (Noughts + Crosses); SAFTA winners Siv Ngesi (Dam, Tali’s Baby Diary, Still Breathing) and Seputla Sebogodi (The River, The Republic, Generations); and Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi in her debut film role.
2. The Mommy Club S1 | Tuesdays from 27 June
In the City of Gold, there are levels to everything. Being a mom is no different… The Mommy Club is a reality show that sees five glamorous Jozi momfluencers navigating the challenges of parenting – and the cutthroat world of “it moms.”
The first episode kicks off with a R250,000 first birthday party, where some of the cast meet each other for the first time. They are:
- The Real Housewives of Johannesburg’s former breakout star Mpumi Mops, who has three children.
- Tshego Manche, a businesswoman and one of South Africa’s first influencers, who has three children.
- Hermajesty, author and motivational speaker, who has three children.
- New mom Nunurai, an event planner and florist to the stars.
- Beauty and health entrepreneur Ratile Mabitsela, who has five children.
Of course, these “it moms” don’t do it alone. Between the five ladies, they have 15 children – and 13 nannies. Even so, can The Mommy Club remain the “it moms,” meeting their children’s needs while also keeping their social life, work and social currency at an all-time high – and their marriages strong?
3. Down, A Comrades Story
The documentary film Down, A Comrades Story celebrates 100 years of the world’s greatest ultra-marathon, unpacked during the course of one epic day: the running of the 2022 Comrades Marathon.
Seeking to discover just why people put themselves through such extremes, running 90 kilometres from sunrise to sunset, filmmakers and Comrades runners Jack Davis and SAFTA nominee Gareth Whitaker (who co-directed the acclaimed rugby documentary Chasing the Sun, exec-produced Two Sides, and co-wrote the cycling documentary Peak) travel with over 13,000 runners as they make their way from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. Along the way, they discover uplifting stories, folklore, history and tradition – both famous and personal, a sample of the grand, inter-connected human story that is the Comrades, going all the way back to the 1920s.
The film revisits many of the remarkable dramas and memorable moments that helped shape Comrades as a race for the ages. These include Bruce Fordyce’s sweeping dominance and visible protest of apartheid during his streak of wins in the 80s, which was broken only in 1989, the year Sam Tshabalala became the first Black winner of the race and Frith Van Der Merwe smashed the record in the women’s race – both 14 years after the Comrades first allowed Black runners and women to compete for the first time.
“The story of Comrades is the story of South Africa: beautiful, bloody hard and full to the brim of our unique and special soul,” says Whitaker, a veteran of eight races. “What a privilege it is to play a part in telling a little of the story of the greatest foot race on earth.”
4. Housekeepers S3 | Binge from Thursday, 29 June
Behind their high walls and luxury, the wealthy believe they are powerful in the comfort of their mansions, but it’s the housekeepers who see all and know all in the SAFTA-winning Mzansi Magic drama Housekeepers.
SAFTA nominee Thando Thabethe (Reyka, How to Ruin Christmas, My Dad The Bounty Hunter) returns in Season 3 as undercover agent Linda, aka the “house help,” alongside AMAA nominee Paballo Koza (Dora’s Peace, Riding with Sugar) as her brother, Mtho. In varsity and adjusting to his and his sister’s new financially secure reality, Mtho is accused of a shocking crime. Can Linda prove his innocence while keeping her true identity hidden from her dangerous new employers?
This season, SAFTA winner Kenneth Nkosi (White Wedding, District 9, Tsotsi) and rising star Noxolo Dlamini (Jiva!, Silverton Siege) join the impressive cast, which already includes the likes of SAFTA Lifetime Achievement Award winner Connie Chiume (Gomora, Black Panther) and SAFTA winner Tiffany Barbuzano (Still Breathing).
5. Binnelanders S12 | Binge from Thursday, 8 June
The dedicated staff of the Binneland Clinic are bringing us more drama, love, heartache and intrigue in Binnelanders. Season 12 kicks off with Conrad starting to wonder whether Delia has anything to do with BlueCor’s decision, and Gaby opening up her heart to Karen. Confronting a lawyer is just the beginning of Steve’s worries, and Zee realises her heart could be in danger.
Last year, the evergreen soap added its fifth SAFTA win, taking home Best Achievement in Directing – TV Soap, for Danie Joubert. It also picked up nominations for the 2022 Audience Award Most Popular TV Soap or Telenovela, Best Actress – TV Soap for Cindy Swanepoel, Best Supporting Actor – TV Soap for Clint Brink, and Best Supporting Actress – TV Soap for Odelle de Wet.