PICS: Take a look at Showmax’s new series ‘Blood Psalms’

The first look at Showmax’s Blood Psalms is here and we’re keen to see the platform’s first epic fantasy based on the newly released stills from the show.

Blood Psalms also features South African Film and Television Awards (Safta) nominees like Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa (Rockville, Loving Thokoza), Niza Jay (The Wound), Richard Lukunku (Happiness Is A Four-Letter Word, Black Sail)

Co-produced with CANAL+, Showmax’s Blood Psalms is set in ancient Africa 11,000 years ago.  

According to Showmax, the show chronicles the rise to power of a fierce teenage princess who battles a world-ending prophecy to navigate her people through ancient curses, long-standing tribal vendettas and the wrath of the gods.

Showmax’s Blood Psalms was created by Layla Swart and Jahmil X.T. Qubeka from Yellowbone Entertainment. The pair are also responsible for South Africa’s 2020 Oscar entry, boxing drama Knuckle City. 

The fact that Knuckle City was the most awarded film at the 2020 Saftas (taking home six awards), and the most nominated film at the 2020 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAAs – where it won two awards), is a testament to the kind of work that Swart and Qubeka do. 

Showmax’s Blood Psalms also boasts a heavyweight ensemble cast. 

Among the show’s cast members are eight Safta winners: Bongile Mantsai (Knuckle City), Hamilton Dlamini (Five Fingers For Marseilles), Hlubi Mboya (Isidingo), Mothusi Magano (Tsotsi, Hotel Rwanda), Siv Ngesi (Knuckle City, Still Breathing), Thishiwe Ziqubu (Hard To Get), Warren Masemola (The Republic, Tjovitjo), and Zolisa Xaluva (Gomora, Knuckle City).

Also, Sello Maake kaNcube (The Herd), Thando Thabethe (Housekeepers), Thembekile Komani (Knuckle City) and Zikhona Sodlaka (DiepCity) make appearances. 

Young talents Faith Baloyi and Thabo Rametsi are also part of the cast. 

Baloyi and Rametsi were the leads in the 2019 Berlinale Panorama opener Flatland and Kalushi: The Story of Solomon Mahlangu, respectively. 

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Take a look at some images from Showmax’s ‘Blood Psalms’:

Blood Psalms is not the only show on the streaming platform’s upcoming slate, which Showmax has proudly hailed for its diversity.

The eighth Showmax Original in eight months, Temptation Island South Africa, launches this Thursday, 26 August 2021.

In addition, Showmax has eight more series – and three more movies – on the way including Showmax’s first telenovela, romcom, and scripted West African Showmax Original.  

This is over and above a steady flow of Showmax Originals released in 2021, including critically acclaimed scripted series like DAM, Tali’s Baby Diary, Skemerdans and Crime and Justice. 

The platform’s most recent release, a record-breaking true-crime series called Devilsdorp, is all that everyone is currently talking about.

“Despite strong international competition, our three most popular shows on Showmax in the first half of 2021 were all local,” said Candice Fangueiro, Showmax’s head of content. 

“So we’re delighted to introduce our next wave of Showmax Originals, a mix of returning favourites and groundbreaking firsts, from some of Africa’s most talented filmmakers.” 

In addition to the first season of Showmax’s Blood Psalms, the platform will be introducing a telenovela called The Wife, the romcom Troukoors, comedy Ghana Jollof, and the Seks in Afrikaans docuseries among others. 

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