10 Must-Watch African TV Shows in 2025

1. Blood & Water (South Africa)

Blood & Water is a South African teen crime-drama series produced by Gambit Films for Netflix. 

The series revolves around Puleng, a high school girl whose sister Phume was kidnapped as part of a human trafficking network shortly after birth. On the same day of Phume's birthday Puleng was invited to a party of Fikile Bhele a popular athlete studying at Parkhurst College, a prestigious school in Cape Town. After Wade a new acquaintance points out their resemblance, Puleng starts to suspect that Frikkie is Phume. She has lived in the shadow of her sister all her life so she decides to get to the bottom of things. She transfers to the elite school to investigate. While solving the puzzle, Puleng discovers that the mystery of her missing sister is not the only secret that her friends and family keep. The central character, Puleng Khumalo, moves from her old school to the elite after an encounter that suggests one of its popular students, Fikile Bhele, might actually be her older sister who was abducted as a baby.

The investigation pulls in themes of identity, family secrets, class divides, friendships, social media pressure, privilege, and danger.

Language & style: The show is multilingual (English, Xhosa, occasionally Zulu, Afrikaans.)

Seasons & episodes
4 seasons, ~25 episodes total. 
First aired 20 May 2020; the 4th season premiered on 1 March 2024. 

Awards & Reception: It has been well regarded and won awards such as Best TV Drama at the 2021 South African Film & Television Awards, and wins in cinematography & sound design. 

Blood & Water: Season 4 | Official Trailer | Netflix | YouTube

Also, Blood & Water | Season 1 | Official Trailer | Netflix | YouTube

Where to Watch / Subscription

Streaming: Netflix globally (including many African countries). 

Subscription: Requires a Netflix plan in your country.

On Netflix, you’ll find trailers, teasers, subtitles, and multiple audio tracks.Netflix

Why It’s a Must-Watch

It blends high-stakes mystery with the everyday life of teens, making it accessible yet gripping.

It’s uniquely South African but universal in its themes (family, loss, identity).

The visual style, soundtrack, and filming locations (Cape Town) make it aesthetically engaging.

Because it’s already in its 4th season, new viewers have a full arc to binge & discuss.

2. Queen Sono (South Africa)

Queen Sono follows the story of Queen Sono (played by Pearl Thusi), a fearless South African secret agent. She takes on dangerous missions across Africa, blending espionage, politics, and personal relationships. One of the central arcs is her probing into the mysterious assassination of her mother, which shapes many of her choices. The show navigates the tension between loyalty, identity, betrayal, and the moral compromises of spy life. It also explores broader societal issues (such as corruption, political intrigue, and the consequences of power) through a Pan-African lens.

Seasons / Episodes
1 season, 6 episodes.Netflix

Why It Stands Out
 One of Netflix’s first full African originals, giving serious visibility to local narratives and talent. 
 Strong female lead. Queen Sono isn’t just action-driven; there’s depth to her character and the emotional stakes (family, identity).
 Multilingual / multicultural  the series is shot in multiple African locations and uses more than one language, which adds authenticity and resonance.
Good production values, visuals, action sequences, and solid critical reception. Rotten Tomatoes shows strong reviews. 

Where to Watch / Subscription
Netflix globally (where it’s available). You’ll need a Netflix subscription in your country.

3. Savage Beauty (South Africa)

Savage Beauty centres on Zinhle, a woman whose traumatic past is tied to the powerful Bhengu beauty empire. Seeking justice and revenge, she infiltrates the Bhengu family to expose dark secrets about beauty standards, colourism, corporate power, and family hypocrisies. The Bhengus are the owners of a global beauty brand. Glamour, prestige, and image are everything, but beneath that are betrayals, moral compromises, and hidden history. The drama gets increasingly intense as Zinhle contends with power plays inside the family, societal pressures, and how far one can go in pursuit of the truth. 

Netflix has both season 1 and season 2 trailers.

Seasons / Episodes
At least 2 seasons, with multiple episodes per season. Season 2 still quite recent as of 2024. Episode lengths are ~45-55 minutes, depending onthe  episode. Netflix

Why It’s Standout
Explores beauty business in more depth, not just glitz, but moral, familial, and societal cost.
Complex characters: no one is fully “good” or “evil”; lots of moral grey areas.
Cinematic style, good production, high stakes, and it pulls in both interpersonal drama and broader issues (like identity, colorism and many more).
The family/empire dynamics are compelling: power, betrayal, secrets. Many viewers find the tension addictive. The show ranks well on review aggregators. Rotten Tomatoes

Where to Watch / Subscription
Netflix. You need a Netflix subscription. Depending on your region, ability to stream or download, subtitle / audio options may vary. Netflix

4. Lioness (South Africa)

Lioness is a South African drama about Samantha Hugo, who is wrongfully convicted of fraud and separated from her children. After serving time in prison, she emerges years later determined to clear her name and reunite with her children. However, she finds new challenges: corrupt systems, hidden enemies, betrayals, and revelations from the past. The show is not just about injustice but the emotional cost: what it means to be a mother, what it means to reclaim agency and power when society (and sometimes family) seems stacked against you. The second season introduces further complications, more secrets, new threats, and deeper emotional stakes. Showmax

Seasons / Episodes
At least 2 seasons are available on Showmax

Why It’s Great
 Strong emotional core: motherhood, injustice, loss, redemption. Very relatable.
 Good production quality. The acting has received praise; nominations in South African Film & Television Awards for various categories (cinematography, sound, and many more). Showmax Stories
 It mixes legal, crime, and family drama in a way that keeps tension up. Viewers tend to get invested in both the plot (mysteries, revelations) and character arcs.
 Wide appeal, suspense + personal stakes + universal themes, recognisable settings, strong local flavour.

Where to Watch / Subscription
Showmax. To view, you need a Showmax subscription in your country. Some content may be “Showmax Bundle” or “Entertainment bundle”, depending on the region.

5. Qware (Kenya, 2025)

Qware is a Kenyan drama-thriller that premiered on 20 July 2025 on Maisha Magic Plus (DStv channel 163 / GOtv channel 3).

The story centres on Leila Simba, a 21-year-old whose life is shattered after her father’s brutal murder, and she finds herself falsely framed for his killing. DStv

The show is set in the opulent, cut-throat world of the Qware Group, a powerful family empire. Leila’s uncle, “SJ” is bent on taking control, and he uses every weapon available, legal, political, and even manipulative to pull her down. Leila must survive betrayal, uncover dark family secrets, rebuild alliances, defend her innocence, and navigate a world where few are who they seem.

Format/production
  Single season (so far) in 2025 KenyanVibe
  Writers: Jazzmine Maina, Kevin Mbayagi, Cherotich Kibet, and Marcus Douglas. Directors: Ashford Kirimi, Davis Nato. 
Company: Naota Media.

Cast highlights
Vanessa Okeyo as Leila Simba (protagonist) 
Reinhard Inzai Bonke as SJ (uncle and antagonist). 
   Other cast: Silayio Neema, Elle Ciru, Damaris Ketrai, Bernard Oduor, Alex Khayo, Robert Agengo, Martin Kigondu, Moses Kiema, Amani Mwasera. 

DStv / Maisha Magic Plus’s site shows promotional video snippets and “watch on catch-up” for Qware. DStv

Where to Watch / Subscription

Maisha Magic Plus (via DStv) Channel 163 DStv

GOtv viewers can also access it (if their package includes that channel), DStv

DStv Stream / GOtv Stream apps: episodes are available to stream via the apps’ “Catch Up” feature. DStv

Subscription: You need a DStv package that includes Maisha Magic Plus.

6. The Chocolate Empire (Kenya, 2025)

Set in Nairobi’s high-society circles, The Chocolate Empire follows JB Mauzo, a charismatic businessman recently released from prison. Beneath his refined exterior and luxurious cigar club lies a hidden world a secret high-end escort business catering to the elite. When Lily, a young woman seeking a fresh start, accepts a job at the club unaware of its true nature, their fates collide in a web of temptation, deceit, and danger.

Trailer / Teaser
 Showmax Africa YouTube Channel for the latest promo.

Seasons / Episodes
Season 1 premieres in 2025.

Why It’s Worth Watching

It’s Kenya’s most daring drama yet, tackling taboo themes like power, lust, and corruption in the upper class.

The production quality reflects Showmax’s growing investment in East African originals.

It features a blend of established Kenyan stars and fresh faces, giving it an authentic local flavour.

Where to Watch
Showmax Kenya

Subscription
Requires an active Showmax subscription. Available on all Showmax plans in Kenya and selected African regions.

7. Lazizi (Kenya, 2025)

Lazizi is a heart-warming Kenyan telenovela set in the scenic Western region. It follows intertwined stories of love, betrayal, secrets, and generational conflict. Through a richly woven narrative, the series portrays how family, ambition, and tradition clash in modern Kenya. Expect romance, heartbreak, and a touch of humor  all in a distinctly regional cultural setting.
Search “Lazizi Kenya telenovela trailer” on YouTube or check Maisha Magic Plus and DStv Kenya’s YouTube Channel

Seasons / Episodes
Season 1 premieres in October 2025.

Why It’s Worth Watching

Features a stellar Kenyan cast and authentic Western Kenyan dialects and settings.

Blends the melodrama of Latin telenovelas with uniquely African storytelling.

Strong female leads and relatable family themes.

Meet the cast of Lazizi

• Mwaniki Mageria (The Chocolate Empire) is Mark Mbotela – Mark comes from a humble background which fuels his ambitions.
• Jackie Nyaminde (Country Queen) is Amina – Mark’s ex, with whom they had a son, Shaffie. She is an alcoholic struggling with depression due to abandoning Shaffie.
• Helen Keli (Single Kiasi) is Bridget Mbotela – Mark’s controlling wife and mother to his stepson, Richard. She feels entitled to the family fortune and is grooming Richard to take over the business.
• Isaac Okoyo (Reckless) is Shaffie Mbotela – Mark’s free-spirited son born out of his affair with Amina. He constantly feels like an outsider and yearns for a father’s understanding; he finds himself having a complicated relationship with women and is hedonistic.
• Zander Adika (MTV Shuga Down South) is Richard Mbotela – Mark’s stepson, who is being groomed to succeed him in running the company.
• Evelyne Gitonga (One in a Million) is Natasha – Richard’s girlfrien,d but despite being in love with him, her love is unrequited.
• Vivian Nyawira (Njoro wa Uba) is Sophie – Amina’s daughter and Shaffie’s half-sister. Having grown up with an alcoholic and depressed mother, she learned at a young age to only rely on herself to get things done.
• Joel Otukho (Country Queen) is Juma – Loyal to Mark and has a soft spot for Amina. Having worked with the family and company for many years, he is privy to information that could be used against them

Where to Watch
Maisha Magic Plus on DStv Channel 163 or via the DStv Stream app. Also available on GOtv Supa with Maisha Magic Plus.

Subscription
Requires DStv or GOtv package with Maisha Magic Plus.

8. Under the Influence (Nigeria, 2025)

Under the Influence  is a Nigerian Drama that follows Dami, a 21-year-old social media influencer whose life shifts drastically after she moves to Lagos. The pressures of fame, identity, and the superficial spotlight force her to make choices she never imagined. It’s about how personal relationships, family, expectations, and reputation change (sometimes warp) when someone becomes visible. The show also touches on themes like mental health, authenticity vs. performance, and the dual lives people lead in social media-driven culture.

Trailer / Teaser

Seasons / Episodes
Season 1 (2025). 13 episodes. 

Why It’s Worth Watching
It gives a fresh, modern view into how social media influences life, especially among young people in Nigeria.
Strong local cast. • The pacing and character arcs are designed to connect with both younger viewers and older ones curious about this digital generation.
It’s part of the growing trend of Nigerian shows that blend drama with culture-specific nuances (languages, family structures, urban vs. traditional tension).

Where to Watch
Showmax.

Subscription / Cost
A Showmax subscription in Nigeria (or a plan that gives access to Nigerian content). Check for your region; there are often monthly plans with various levels.

9. Iyanu: Child of Wonder (Nigeria, 2025)

Iyanu is an animated fantasy series based on Roye Okupe’s graphic novel Iyanu: Child of Wonder. The story is set in Yorubaland, a magical kingdom. The main character, Iyanu, is an orphan who dreams of a normal life, but her world changes when she awakens divine powers threatened by an ancient evil. She is joined by friends (including a magical leopard named Ekun) to journey through myths, magic, and moral tests. It blends adventure, folklore, mythology, and action, but also delves into self-discovery, identity, responsibility, and community. 

Seasons / Episodes
First season releases in mid-2025; available across 44 African countries via Showmax. 

Why It’s Worth Watching
 It’s one of the few animated African series with high production value, rooted in local myth but with universal themes.
 Great for younger audiences as well as for family viewing.
 Visually rich, culturally anchored, it lets an African audience see heroes who look, speak, and behave like them.
 Helps diversify what people expect from African TV (not just dramas or soaps, but fantasy and animation too).

Where to Watch
Showmax (across Africa) and some additional platforms, depending on the region. 

Subscription / Cost
Showmax subscription that covers Nigerian originals / regional content. May have tier options; check your country. 

10. Ghana Jollof

Ghana Jollof is a comedy-drama and Showmax’s first West African original in that genre. It follows Romanus and Jasper, two Nigerian friends (played by Funnybone & Akah Nnani) who, disillusioned by limited opportunities in Nigeria, move to Ghana in search of a better life. Along the way, they meet Kweku (a Ghanaian) and Nnamdi, as friendships form, rivalries emerge, and the differences between country cultures, expectations & realities lead to comedic and dramatic moments. The series is shot in both Lagos and Accra. 

Ghana Jollof | Full trailer | Showmax Original comedy series → YouTube

Seasons / Episodes
Season 1 has 13 episodes. Vanguard News

Why It’s Good / Why Include It
It gives both Ghanaian and Nigerian perspectives, with culture clash, but also shared life experience.
The cast is star-studded: comedians and actors from both countries (Funnybone, Basketmouth, Joselyn Dumas, etc.), which gives it pull. Showmax Stories

 It balances comedy and social commentary: migration, job scarcity, identity, and who gets to “chase greener pastures.”
It’s available across Africa via Showmax, so many readers will have access.

Where to Watch / Subscription
Stream exclusively on Showmax. Subscription required. (Showmax plans vary by country; in Ghana, you need a Ghana-Showmax plan.) Showmax Stories