Showbiz
6 Must-Watch Mysteries & True Crime Drama to Binge on Showmax This Month
Not everyone enjoys romantic movies. Some prefer mysteries, shocking scandals, and real-life crime stories that keep them on edge. If you’re looking for intense investigations, high-stakes deception, and compelling drama, these must-watch shows on Showmax deliver.
Mr. Robot S1-4 | Now Streaming
The battle isn’t always fought in the streets; sometimes, it’s online. Winner of two Golden Globes and three Emmys, Mr. Robot follows Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), a cybersecurity expert with crippling anxiety who gets pulled into an underground hacker collective led by the enigmatic Mr. Robot (Christian Slater). But the deeper he goes, the blurrier the lines between reality and illusion become.
Hailed as one of the best TV series of the decade, Mr. Robot keeps you questioning everything you think you know.
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
The Ringleader The Case of the Bling Ring | First on Showmax | Stream from Wednesday, 19 March
The Case of the Bling Ring. They weren’t just fans; they wanted to live like their idols. This real-life documentary tells the shocking story of the Hollywood teenagers who robbed A-list celebrities, including Paris Hilton, Orlando Bloom, and Lindsay Lohan, stealing millions in designer goods. Featuring exclusive interviews and never-before-seen footage, this deep dive into the infamous Bling Ring scandal explores how obsession with fame led to one of the most bizarre crime sprees in Hollywood history.
Directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Erin Lee Carr (Britney vs Spears), this HBO documentary has an 83% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
The Famous Five | Binge from Friday, 21 March
For decades, The Famous Five has been the ultimate adventure series for young detectives in the making. Now, the classic Enid Blyton stories get a fresh, modern twist, following Julian, Dick, Anne, George, and Timmy the dog as they stumble into dangerous secrets, hidden treasures, and criminal plots.
Packed with nostalgia, action, and smart storytelling, this new adaptation captures the heart of the beloved series while introducing it to a new generation.
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Brilliant Minds | Binge from Monday, 24 March
Not all doctors heal with medicine. In Brilliant Minds, we step inside the world of a neurologist unlike any other, one who can literally feel his patients’ emotions. Starring Hedda Stiernstedt and Charlie Gustafsson, this gripping medical drama combines groundbreaking science with intense personal battles, showing that sometimes, the mind holds more mysteries than we realise.
The critically acclaimed series holds a 94% overall critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has been recognised for its fresh take on medical drama. Vox included it in its roundup of “21 TV Shows That Explained the 2010s,” calling it “one of the most prescient shows to emerge.”
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
The Righteous Gemstones S4 | First on Showmax | Mondays from 24 March
Faith, family, and fraud, it’s all part of the business when you’re running a megachurch. Created by Danny McBride, The Righteous Gemstones follows a family of televangelists whose extravagant lifestyles are funded by their devoted congregation. But as scandals unfold, secrets spill, and their empire teeters on collapse, the Gemstones must fight to keep their kingdom intact.
With multiple Emmy nominations and a cast that includes John Goodman, Adam Devine, and Edi Patterson, this dark comedy delivers both laughs and shocking revelations.
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Gangs of London S3 | First on Showmax | Binge from Tuesday, 25 March
The Emmy-nominated and BAFTA-winning series Gangs of London returns for its third season as chaos erupts in London after a spiked shipment of cocaine kills hundreds.
Returning cast includes Critics Choice Super nominee Sopẹ́ Dìrísù, BAFTA nominees Joe Cole and Lucian Msamati, and Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones’ Catelyn Stark). Joining them this season are Irish Film and Television Award winner Richard Dormer (Blue Lights, Game of Thrones) and Critics Choice Super nominees Andrew Koji (Warrior) and T’Nia Miller (The Fall of the House of Usher).
Holding an 86% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8/10 score on IMDb, Gangs of London has been praised for its gripping storytelling and intense action sequences. NME describes it as “Game of Thrones but without the dragons.
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Whether it’s daring adventures, digital warfare, or medical breakthroughs, Showmax has something for every mystery and true crime fan.
Now is the perfect time to start streaming with the Shikini Offer—get Showmax Mobile for just ₦1,000 instead of ₦1,600 or the multiple-device plan for ₦2,000 instead of ₦3,500. Visit www.showmax.com/deals to sign up and start watching today.
Showbiz
Former BBNaija Housemates Reflect on Life, Growth, Success Beyond the Show at Season 11 Media Launch
Big Brother Naija’s evolution from a reality show into a platform for creativity, entrepreneurship and career growth took centre stage at the Media Launch for season 11 on Wednesday, 15 July 2026. Former housemates Uriel, Doyin, Kola and DJ Flo reflected on how the show helped shape their careers while sharing the lessons they have learnt navigating life after reality television.
During the conversation, the former housemates agreed that while Big Brother Naija gave them visibility and opened doors, building successful careers after the show has required intentionality, consistency and a willingness to evolve beyond their reality television personas.
Doyin David from Season 7 Level Up and Season 8 All Stars shared one of the day’s most personal reflections, revealing that her biggest lesson began while she was still in the house.
“One of my biggest lessons actually started in the House. Watching myself back made me realise I did not know myself as much as I thought I did.”
She explained that finding a balance between her personal life and her public brand was a gradual process.
“As for balancing my personal life and my brand, it did not happen immediately after the show. I had to learn along the way, make mistakes, grow from them and eventually find that balance.”
Uriel Oputa from Season 2 See Gobbe and Season 8 All Stars spoke about building a career around wellness, explaining that her passion for healthy living did not begin after the show but became more visible because of the platform Big Brother Naija provided.
“I did not have to find a balance because healthy living is already my lifestyle. It is what I do every day. It is not something I switch on or off because of the entertainment industry; it is simply who I am.”
Flora Chiedo, popularly known as DJ Flo from Season 9 No Loose Guard, emphasised that while Big Brother Naija creates opportunities, success ultimately depends on what housemates do after leaving the House.
“Vision without execution is just hallucination. The show gives you an opportunity, but it does not do the work for you. You have to come out here and put in extra work every day.”
Kola Omotosho, Season 10 10/10 housemate, echoed the sentiment, describing Big Brother Naija as a valuable platform that gave him visibility while stressing that passion, drive and consistency are essential for staying relevant.
“Big Brother Naija gave me visibility, and I am grateful for that. But staying relevant requires passion, drive and consistency.”
The discussion reinforced one of the defining impacts of Big Brother Naija over the years. Beyond entertainment, the show has continued to serve as a launching pad for creatives, entrepreneurs and entertainers, providing contestants with the visibility to pursue careers across different industries. As the former housemates’ experiences have shown, the platform opens the door, but sustained success depends on what each individual chooses to build from the opportunity.
Big Brother Naija Season 11 premieres on Sunday, 26 July 2026, with the live launch show airing from 7:00 p.m. on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family. The season marks betPawa’s debut as the Headline Sponsor, while House of Guinness joins as the Gold Sponsor and Minimie returns as the Associate Sponsor. Hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, the 24-hour live show will air on DStv Channel 198 and GOtv Channel 49. Fans can also watch the show live via DStv and GOtv Stream.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Popular Nigerian singer, Niniola Apata, professionally known as Niniola, has revealed that becoming a young widow has been one of the most difficult experiences of her life, reflecting on the demise of her heartthrob, Mr Michael Ndika.
In an emotional message on X on Sunday, marking two months since his sudden and unexpected death, the music star disclosed that she initially intended to record a video message but found herself unable to get through it because of the overwhelming emotions.
“Today makes it two months since my husband, business manager and best friend, Michael, was very suddenly and unexpectedly taken from me and truly, from us,” she wrote.
Niniola admitted that although she lost her father at a young age, nothing had prepared her for the reality of widowhood. She described the grieving process as “hard” and “exceedingly difficult,” saying some days are manageable while others are “painfully indescribable.”
The singer spoke candidly about the unanswered questions and unfinished conversations left behind, adding that she has struggled to find the words to express the depth of her emotions.
Despite her grief, Niniola said her faith has remained her anchor, noting that God continues to reassure her of His presence even during moments of doubt.
She also expressed profound appreciation to family, friends, fans, colleagues, media organisations and well-wishers for their prayers, messages and unwavering support since Michael’s passing.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to you all for your outpouring of love, your kind words, prayers, thoughtful messages and posts. I do not know how I will ever repay each and every one of you, but please know that I am truly and sincerely grateful,” she wrote.
Before his death, Mr Ndika was the chief executive of a multimedia platform focused on Afro-house and contemporary African music known as NaijaReview.
Niniola is the older sibling of another famous entertainer, Teni.
Africa’s biggest reality television show, Big Brother Naija, returns for its highly anticipated Season 11 on Sunday, 26 July 2026 on DStv and GOtv.
The launch show will air from 7 pm on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family channels, with the 24-hour show on DStv channel 198 and GOtv channel 49. BBNaija fans can also watch the show live via DStv and GOtv Stream.
This season’s winner will walk away with a record ₦160 million grand prize, which includes a cash sum of N100 million and a brand-new SUV. The prize is the highest in the show’s history, raising the stakes for what is expected to be another landmark season.
Speaking on the new season, Atinuke Babatunde, Executive Head, Content and Channels, West Africa, MultiChoice, said:
“Big Brother Naija has consistently redefined entertainment in Africa by bringing together authentic storytelling, compelling personalities and moments that resonate with millions of viewers. Season 11 builds on that legacy with even bigger stakes, fresh twists and an exciting mix of housemates that will keep audiences engaged from premiere night through to the finale”.
The new season also ushers in an exciting lineup of brand partners, with betPawa, the home of Africa’s biggest winners, joining the Big Brother Naija family as the Headline Sponsor.
Commenting on the partnership, Borah Omary Ndanyungu, Head of Local Marketing & CSR, betPawa, said: “At betPawa, we believe in creating unforgettable experiences that bring people together through the things they are passionate about. Big Brother Naija is one of Africa’s most celebrated entertainment properties, and we are proud to come on board as Headline Sponsor for Season 11. We look forward to rewarding fans, deepening engagement throughout the season and delivering exciting experiences that complement the energy and excitement of the show.”
Guinness returns as the Gold Sponsor, while Minimie comes on board as an Associate Sponsor, reinforcing continued confidence from leading brands in one of Africa’s most influential entertainment platforms.
On the season’s partnerships, Babatunde commented: “We are delighted to welcome betPawa as our Headline Sponsor alongside Guinness and Minimie, whose partnership reflects the enduring value and impact of the Big Brother Naija platform.”
Since its return in 2017, Big Brother Naija has evolved beyond a reality TV show into a cultural phenomenon, creating household names, creating jobs across the creative economy, and shaping popular culture.
With Ebuka Obi-Uchendu returning as the show’s host, viewers can expect a season filled with unexpected twists, dynamic tasks, strategic gameplay, entertaining challenges and the authentic interactions that have made Big Brother Naija one of Africa’s most-watched reality TV show franchises.
Season 11 premieres on Sunday, 26 July 2026, with viewers able to follow every moment of the action throughout the season on DStv, GOtv, DStv Stream and GOtv Stream. Eligible subscribers can vote through the MyDStv and MyGOtv self-service apps, upgrade their packages for additional voting benefits, and enjoy uninterrupted access throughout the season by subscribing or renewing for multiple months.
