13 August 2024

The Sympathizer S1

Based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Sympathizer follows a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and into his new life as a refugee in Los Angeles, where he learns that his spying days aren't over.

Hoa Xuande (Cowboy Bebop) leads a largely Vietnamese cast, with Oscar winner Robert Downey Jr. earning an Emmy nomination for his multiple roles here. The supporting cast includes Golden Globe winners Sandra Oh (Killing Eve, Grey’s Anatomy) and David Duchovny (The X Files, Californication), as well as John Cho (from the Harold & Kumar and Star Trek franchises).

The HBO/A24 co-production is #9 on Metacritic’s round-up of the Best TV Shows (So Far) This Year and has an 88% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Time Magazine says it’s “ambitious, brilliant television,” and Rolling Stone calls it “wickedly funny [and] deeply moving,” saying, “The Sympathizer turns a bestseller adaptation into a TV tour de force.”

The Sympathizer is co-created by Cannes winners Park Chan-wook (Oldboy) and Don McKellar (Last Night), with Chan-wook, Oscar nominee Fernando Meirelles (City of God) and triple BAFTA winner Marc Munden (Utopia) each directing episodes.

Watch it now

More like this

Action Action series Series

The Valley S2

Their lives might have slowed down, but the drama hasn't. Vanderpump Rules's former West Hollywood partygoers embrace the next chapter of their lives in the Valley.

Law & Order S23-24

The original Law & Order resumes its classic two-part approach following both the police who investigate crimes and the DAs who prosecute them.

5 patients you’ll meet in The Pitt Season 1

The Pitt’s head makeup artist Myriam Arougheti and her team scored one of the series’ 13 Emmy nominations for their jaw-dropping special effects makeup. We’ve picked just five of their patients for a checkup.

The Zulu brothers on The Wife now on Showmax

10 game-changing shows to celebrate Showmax turning 10

Stream these original titles to celebrate Showmax turning 10. A decade later, streaming service has since expanded to 44 African countries.

OriginalMade in South Africa

Kokkedoor Vuur en Vlam S2

Twenty cooks add a new dimension to our country's national pastime. Braai enthusiasts and chefs add sparks with modern techniques.

Made in South Africa

The Laugh Africa Comedy Festival S2

Stream 13 of the best stand-up comedians in South Africa in their sets at the Laugh Africa Comedy Festival.

OriginalMade in South Africa

Makoti Phumodi on Married at First Sight on Showmax

Makoto on what really went down in her Married at First Sight journey

Makoto opens up about being on Married at First Sight, her co-stars, and newlywed life. Catch it on Mzansi Magic and Showmax every Sunday.

First South Africa

Palesa Mphaki on Married at First Sight S2 on Showmax

Palesa Mphaki on being Married at First Sight, her husband and more

Palesa shares her thoughts on Married at First Sight South Africa S2, now on Mzansi Magic and Showmax every Sunday.

South Africa

SA celebs open up about divorce on Untied

Youngins S3, coming soon to Showmax

Showmax is the home of HBO in Africa

5 reasons to pick up HBO’s Telemarketers

Scam caller alert! Five reasons to find out who’s really cashing in on a job that everyone hates, in the HBO documentary series The Telemarketers.

The Valley S2

Their lives might have slowed down, but the drama hasn't. Vanderpump Rules's former West Hollywood partygoers embrace the next chapter of their lives in the Valley.

Law & Order S23-24

The original Law & Order resumes its classic two-part approach following both the police who investigate crimes and the DAs who prosecute them.