{"id":24062,"date":"2025-08-19T00:10:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T22:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/?p=24062"},"modified":"2025-08-18T18:19:35","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T16:19:35","slug":"10-game-changing-shows-to-celebrate-showmax-turning-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2025\/08\/19\/10-game-changing-shows-to-celebrate-showmax-turning-10\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Game-changing Shows to Celebrate Showmax Turning 10"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Showmax was launched in South Africa 10 years ago today, getting a headstart on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video (2016), Apple TV+ (2019), and Disney Plus (2022). The streaming service has since expanded to 44 African countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To celebrate, here are 10 Showmax Originals that changed the game:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tali&#039;s Wedding Diary | Official Trailer | Showmax\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XVwMXLkFxlo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>TALI\u2019S WEDDING DIARY (2017)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Showmax\u2019s first Original follows Joburg princess Tali as she plans her Cape Town wedding. Before Tali, Showmax was best known for HBO imports. The mockumentary\u2019s local flavour changed that, setting a first-day views record and winning five SAFTAs, including Best Comedy and Best Actress (Julia Anastasopoulos). This paved the way for Showmax\u2019s first scripted drama, <em>The Girl From St. Agnes<\/em> (2019). Two sequels &#8211; <em>Tali\u2019s Baby Diary<\/em> (2021) and <em>Tali\u2019s Joburg Diary<\/em> (2022) &#8211; went on to win nine more SAFTAs. Showmax is now adapting the most famous mockumentary of all,\u00a0<em>The Office<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Life With Kelly Khumalo | Watch All Episodes Now | Showmax Original Reality Series\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/B3TirlKRB6k?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>LIFE WITH KELLY KHUMALO S1 (2020)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An intimate portrait of the controversial singer as she juggled motherhood, music and business during Covid-19, Showmax\u2019s first reality series became its fastest to 1m views and won a SAFTA. Building on the success of the <em>Somizi &amp; Mohale: The Union <\/em>wedding special, this opened the door for all the award-winning reality TV that followed, from <em>The Real Housewives<\/em> to <em>The Mommy Club<\/em> franchises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=MJRwOVAuXoU\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>DEVILSDORP (2021)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Showmax\u2019s first true-crime documentary series dissected the bizarre story behind the Krugersdorp Killings. It set a four-day hours-watched record, won Best TV Documentary at the SAFTAs, and sold internationally. It also paved the way for the true-crime hits that followed, like <em>Steinheist<\/em>, <em>Rosemary\u2019s Hitlist<\/em>, and <em>Tracking Thabo Bester<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Wife | Extended Trailer | Showmax Original | Premieres 11 Nov\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3bLXrC5uQhI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>THE WIFE (2021)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Adapted from Dudu Busani-Dube\u2019s novels, Showmax\u2019s first telenovela follows the Zulu brothers\u2019 crime family, through the eyes of their wives. The 18LNSV series became the most-watched Showmax Original ever, racking up 50m+ hours and trending almost every Thursday. The isiZulu show made Bonko Khoza and Kwenzo Ngcobo household names: Khoza won the Best Actor SAFTA and Ngcobo won at the DStv Mzansi Viewers Choice and <em>GQ <\/em>Men of the Year Awards. <em>The Wife<\/em>\u2019s success paved the way for <em>Outlaws<\/em>, named Best Telenovela at last year\u2019s SAFTAs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Showmax Premier League | New Showmax\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8wsaT6tJ2wg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>FIFA WORLD CUP QATAR (2022)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Showmax streamed all 64 matches in up to 4K, with the Argentina\u2013France final breaking live concurrent viewing records. This success led to Showmax Premier League in 2024, a mobile-only live sports service covering every Premier League and PSL match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Meet the Gents | Adulting Trailer | Showmax Original\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1dD4rLxuPrM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>ADULTING (2023)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The first Showmax Original from International Emmy nominees Tshedza Pictures, <em>Adulting<\/em> follows four male friends trying to find love and success in Joburg. The most-watched title since the relaunch by unique profile views, the 18-rated series earned three SAFTA nominations, including for Thembinkosi Mthembu in his first lead role, a performance that saw him named Hunk of the Year at The Feather Awards and taking home the People\u2019s Choice Award at the <em>GQ <\/em>Men of the Year Awards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Spinners S1 Teaser Trailer  | Showmax Original | Wednesdays from 8 November\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wJfvUrDssh8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>SPINNERS (2023)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In <em>Spinners<\/em>, a Kaaps teen tries to escape gang life through spinning, an extreme motorsport. <em>Spinners<\/em> became the first African series selected for Canneseries, won Best Foreign TV Series at China\u2019s Magnolia Awards (over Emmy winner <em>Succession)<\/em>, and charted in CANAL+\u2019s top 10 in France and French Africa. Season 2 arrives in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tease Trailer | Youngins | Showmax Original\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nY0oGHlfFy0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>YOUNGINS (2024)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Showmax\u2019s top-viewed series since relaunch in terms of hours watched, <em>Youngins<\/em> follows the new girl at a Jozi boarding school, who is caught up in a scandal of epic proportions. The teen drama won Best South African Streaming Series at the Behind the Scenes Awards and earned nominations for LGBTQIA+ representation at both The Feather and Inclusive Lens awards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Showmax Presents Tyla\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4g2gcTMTYA4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>TYLA: LIVE ON SHOWMAX (2025)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In January, Showmax live-streamed Tyla\u2019s sold-out Pretoria concert across 44 African countries \u2013 a first for an African streamer. The Grammy, BET, and MTV Award winner celebrated over 1.5bn streams for her record-breaking debut album in what she called, \u201cMy fav show yet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Iyanu | Launch Trailer | Showmax\" width=\"750\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JeI8W0SNhQw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>IYANU (2025)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This Nigerian fantasy animation, from Oscar winners Lion Forge Entertainment and creator Roye Okupe, follows an orphan discovering her powers to save Yorubaland. Based on the graphic novel <em>Iyanu: Child of Wonder<\/em>, the Showmax Original topped Cartoon Network, broke into HBO Max\u2019s top 10 kids\u2019 shows, and was Showmax\u2019s most-watched kids\u2019 title at launch. Season 2 and two feature films are already greenlit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>WHAT\u2019S YOUR FAVOURITE SHOWMAX ORIGINAL?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Showmies, let us know what your favourite Showmax Original has been by using the hashtag #10yearsofShowmax. Other contenders include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fan favourites like <em>Empini<\/em>, <em>Soft Life<\/em>, <em>Red Ink<\/em>, <em>The Showmax Roast of Minnie Dlamini<\/em>, <em>One Weeks<\/em>, <em>Law, Love and Betrayal<\/em>,<em> The ABC Killer<\/em>, <em>Lockdown, Living The Dream With Somizi, <\/em>and more<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Catch Me A Killer<\/em>, the first SA series at SeriesMania<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rose d\u2019Or nominee <em>Wyfie<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Berlinale Series Market Selects pick <em>Donkerbos<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SAFTA category winners <em>Sex in Afrikaans<\/em> and <em>Loving Thokoza<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fantasia pick <em>Glasshouse, <\/em>the joint most awarded film at the SAFTAs for its year<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>MIPAfrica Inclusive Lens winner <em>Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kalasha Awards category winners like <em>The Real Housewives of Nairobi<\/em> (Best TV Show) and <em>Pepeta <\/em>(Best TV Drama, Viewers Choice)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>AMVCA category winners like <em>Wa Milele?<\/em> (Best Unscripted Series) and <em>Crime and Justice <\/em>(Best TV Series)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Subterranea<\/em>, named Best TV Drama Series: East Africa at Zanzibar International Film Festival<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Death in the Heartlands<\/em>, from <em>Dark Side of Glory,<\/em> shortlisted as Sports Documentary of the Year \u2013 Over 60 Minutes at the 2024 Broadcast Sports Awards<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Original Sin: My Son The Killer<\/em>,\u00a0 a finalist in the Documentary category at the 2024 Venice TV Awards<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Showmax was launched in South Africa 10 years ago today, getting a headstart on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video (2016), Apple TV+ (2019), and Disney Plus (2022). The streaming service has since expanded to 44 African countries. To celebrate, here are 10 Showmax Originals that changed the game: TALI\u2019S WEDDING DIARY (2017) Showmax\u2019s first Original&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2025\/08\/19\/10-game-changing-shows-to-celebrate-showmax-turning-10\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">10 Game-changing Shows to Celebrate Showmax Turning 10<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20947,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[97],"tags":[110],"class_list":["post-24062","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-online","tag-showmax","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/showmax.png?fit=450%2C159&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24062","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24062"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24062\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20947"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24062"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24062"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24062"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}