Blood Psalms
Made in South Africa
In Ancient Africa, the young Princess Zazi must save herself and her people from the end of the world. She faces warring tribes, angry gods – and her own father. Now streaming.
In Ancient Africa, one thousand years after the fall of Atlantis, the five surviving tribes face another danger: a prophecy which speaks of the end of the world.
Princess Zazi, daughter of the Akachi king, finds herself at the centre of the prophecy. She must face people plotting for power, angry gods and many dark secrets to save herself and her people. She doesn’t know that she’s at the centre of a blood pact made by her father with the god Heka years before, one that will shortly be coming home to roost.
Blood Psalms is a fantasy epic unlike anything made in South Africa before, created by award-winning duo Jahmil X.T. Qubeka and Layla Swart.
The incredible cast includes SAFTA winners like Mothusi Magano, Bongile Mantsai, Hamilton Dlamini and Zolisa Xaluva, as well as favourites like Thando Thabete, Faith Baloyi and Sello Maake Ka Ncube. Bokang Phelane takes on the role of a lifetime as Princess Zazi.
All episodes of Blood Psalms are now streaming.
Meet the cast
Senator Jabari (Richard Lukunku)
Senator Jabari is sent from the powerful Great Nziwemabwe to attend the King’s wedding. But he has another agenda: to regain their lost Northern Territories. Armed with superior weapons and a Golden Army, the Senator is a force to be reckoned with.
Queen Assili (Faith Baloyi)
Queen Assili is ruler of the mystical Uchawi kingdom and current Magi of the order, a position she came to through murder. She can control the elements – but when she cannot bring the rains, she must plot to keep her control of the king.
Sithenjwa (Zikhona Sodlaka)
The consort of Senator Jabari of Great Nziwemabwe, Sithenjwa is a woman with many secrets. Her past is the key to a central mystery in the story, as she hides her real intentions in coming to the Akachi kingdom.
General Toka (Zolisa Xaluva)
The well-respected general of the Akachi army, Toka is a man of many secrets. Born a Ku’ua, it has taken him many years to gain the trust of the Akachi. However, he has made many mistakes. He will play an integral role in the cataclysm to come.
Qotha (Hamilton Dlamini)
The heir to the Ku’ua Chiefdom, Qotha is a calculating man. Not a fan of war, he prefers rationality and fairness. He is aware that his father prefers his brother, Hlengu, and struggles to maintain respect within the tribe.
Hlengu (Bongile Mantsai)
The second-born son of Chief Xemantso of the warring Ku’ua tribe, Hlengu longs to return his tribe to their former warrior glory. He is not the heir to the chiefdom, however, and tussles with how to usurp his level-headed brother, Qotha.
Burutti (Mandisa Nduna)
Burutti lives among the mysterious Chini tribe, “the cursed ones”. She has strange dreams about a mysterious woman, sensing that they are somehow connected. Burutti does not yet know the extent of her powers, or the other secrets about her past.
Nkamanzu (Sello Maake Ka Ncube)
Nkamanzu, King Letsha’s calculating uncle, has grown weary of a string of power-hungry Akachi kings. Once the king descends into madness, Nkamanzu strives to pick up the pieces and bring democracy to the realm.
King Letsha (Mothusi Magano)
Troubled and paranoid, King Letsha sacrificed his wife to fulfil his blood pact with the god of magic, Heka. Manipulated by Queen Assili, he believes that to save his throne, he must now also kill his daughter, Princess Zazi.
Zazi (Bokang Phelane)
Heir to the Akachi throne, Princess Zazi is the key to an ancient prophecy which predicts cataclysmic events triggered by her 18th birthday. As the day approaches, her father must decide whether to sacrifice her to save his throne – and she must decide how to fight back.
Deeper into the world of Blood Psalms
Trailer alert! Heart-stopping African fantasy series Blood Psalms
Get a first look at the trailer for Showmax Original Blood Psalms, a groundbreaking African fantasy series. Blood Psalms premieres on 28 September 2022.
Made in South Africa
Your guide to the tribes and houses of Blood Psalms
Blood Psalms weaves an epic story set in an ancient world of kings, warriors and a mighty princess. Here is your guide to the five houses of Blood Psalms.
Made in South Africa
Who’s who in the cast of Blood Psalms
Your guide to the characters and cast of the new sweeping epic fantasy series, Showmax Original Blood Psalms.
Made in South AfricaMore about Blood Psalms
Blood Psalms Ep 11 recap: End of daze
In the thrilling finale of fantasy series Blood Psalms, the end finally begins.
Made in South Africa
Blood Psalms episode 10 recap: The return of the gods
Everything you need to know about Showmax Original Blood Psalms episode 10: Insurrection and resurrection.
Made in South Africa
Blood Psalms episode 9 recap: Horus rising
Everything you need to know about Blood Psalms episode 9: Up in flames
Made in South Africa
Blood Psalms episode 8 recap: The wedding night
Everything you need to know about Blood Psalms episode 8 – now streaming only on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Blood Psalms Episode 7 recap: Before the wedding
Everything you need to know about Blood Psalms Episode 7, and what’s been happening so far.
Made in South Africa
Stream hit series and movies from Jahmil XT Qubeka
Looking for superb local content? Check out these South African gems from the writer and director of Blood Psalms, Jahmil XT Qubeka.
South African
Blood Psalms episode 6: A day to the gods is a thousand years
Everything you need to know about Showmax Original Blood Psalms episode 6, now streaming: the morning of the wedding.
Made in South Africa
Blood Psalms episode 5 recap: Fire in the Hole
Everything you need to know about Blood Psalms episode 5 and the drunken madness at the palace.
Made in South AfricaIn the press
On Citypress: Blood Psalms takes SA by storm
"Created by the geniuses behind the movie Knuckle City, Jahmil Qubeka and Layla Swart, the Showmax series is a solid star-studded cast of all time."
On EWN: SA stars shine in #1 Showmax fantasy series Blood Psalms
"The first two episodes of the Showmax original fantasy series launched on Wednesday and already the show has shot to the number one spot on the streaming platform."
On TV Mzansi: Blood Psalms debuts with glowing reviews
"Without a doubt, the best TV show ever created in Africa."
More from Mzansi
The Mommy Club Season 2 Episode 10 recap: Getting to the bottom of it
In episode 10 of The Mommy Club S2, Hermajesty and Mrs Sande go head-to-head and Nozipho confides in Mrs Mops. New episodes land every Monday on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
The Real Housewives of Durban S4: Nonku and Slee’s friendship is dead and buried
In the finale episode of The Real Housewives of Durban S4, all is laid on the table at the ladies’ dinner. All episodes are now streaming on Showmax.
MaBlerh to host The Real Housewives of Durban reunion for the second year in a row
MaBlerh to host The Real Housewives of Durban reunion for the second year in a row. The two-part reunion will stream on 15 May and 22 May 2024.
Made in South Africa
Your initiation into the cool, chaotic world of Wyfie
Feel like we’re almost at midterms but you stopped going to class after you skipped a couple of lectures? Let’s swot up on Episodes 1-24 of Showmax Original Wyfie.
Made in South Africa
Must-watch trailer for The Showmax Roast of Minnie Dlamini
See the trailer for The Showmax Roast of Minnie Dlamini, premiering on Showmax this Friday, 26 April 2024.
Made in South Africa
Nambitha Ben-Mazwi stars in Showmax Original Empini
Multi-award winner Nambitha Ben-Mazwi leads new Showmax Original Empini. The action-packed drama series premieres on Showmax 23 May 2024.
Made in South Africa
Youngins Season 1 episodes 31-33 recap: Revelations
Amo and Mahlatse become a couple, Tumelo ditches Sefako, and Khaya sees both Sefako and Principal Mthembu in a new light in episodes 31-33 of Showmax Original Youngins.
Made in South Africa
Interview: Knock knock, it’s Youngins’ Tshepo!
Tshepo Matlala talks about how he brings class clown Tshepo’s jokes to life, and what’s behind the mask, in Showmax Original Youngins.
South AfricanStunning fantasy series now streaming
House of the Dragon S2 coming to Showmax express from the US
Season 2 of HBO’s Emmy-winning series House of the Dragon will premiere on 17 June 2024, express from the US to Showmax.
Halo S2
In the 26th Century, humanity bands together and risks everything to protect humankind from the universal threat: an alien race known as the Covenant.
HBO releases House of the Dragon S2 teaser and first-look images
Binge-watch the first season of HBO’s House of the Dragon while you wait for Season 2 to land on Showmax express from the US in 2024.
8 crazy treasures in Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves
Eight crazy things that D&D nerds will be thrilled to see in Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves – including our nemesis, Gelatinous Cube.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves (2023)
A funny adventure fantasy that brings the legendary roleplaying game to life. A thief and a group of adventurers seek a long-lost relic.
Black Adam (2022)
Thousands of years after being given the powers of the gods, the ancient anti-hero Black Adam is freed, unleashing his own form of justice.
Vampire Academy S1
The thrilling supernatural teen drama, Vampire Academy Season 1, is filled with mystery, danger, and intrigue. Two friends from different classes must complete their education and enter royal vampire society.
The Dark Knight trilogy
The Batman story is retold with Christopher Nolan behind the camera and Christian Bale as a darker, moodier version of the superhero.
More Showmax Originals
The Mommy Club Season 2 Episode 10 recap: Getting to the bottom of it
In episode 10 of The Mommy Club S2, Hermajesty and Mrs Sande go head-to-head and Nozipho confides in Mrs Mops. New episodes land every Monday on Showmax.
Made in South AfricaThe Real Housewives of Durban S4: Nonku and Slee’s friendship is dead and buried
In the finale episode of The Real Housewives of Durban S4, all is laid on the table at the ladies’ dinner. All episodes are now streaming on Showmax.
MaBlerh to host The Real Housewives of Durban reunion for the second year in a row
MaBlerh to host The Real Housewives of Durban reunion for the second year in a row. The two-part reunion will stream on 15 May and 22 May 2024.
Made in South AfricaYour initiation into the cool, chaotic world of Wyfie
Feel like we’re almost at midterms but you stopped going to class after you skipped a couple of lectures? Let’s swot up on Episodes 1-24 of Showmax Original Wyfie.
Made in South Africa