In December 2021, actor, TV host and author Mike Hill created a conversation about the way men are represented on television behind Issa Rae’s successful show, insecure.
“We have Single Life, his girlfriend and insecure… shows about positive black women [and] their relationship with each other. Are there any good and successful TV shows about black people like this one? (Which one is at least 4 seasons?),” Hill asked.
Continuing the conversation, Hill asked why there aren’t more shows like this, or at least ones that focus specifically on “featuring an ensemble of college-educated, positive siblings navigating their lives together and their relationships.”
Type ‘Adult’
Avid Twitter user, Phaṱhu Makwarela of Tshedza Pictures seems to have heeded that call by getting on board to bring you Showmax’s latest show, maturefor life.
Dubbed the ‘bromance of the decade’, mature now streaming on Showmax, with new episodes every Monday.
The eight-part drama 18SN follows four university friends, whose strong bond brings them together even though their journeys in life have taken them in very different directions.
When they try to find love and success in Johannesburg after university, they turn to each other for support.
Cast and crew of mature kicked off the show in true Joburg style with an exclusive party at the Monarch Joburg supper club.
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The cast of the show includes Thembinkosi Mthembu, Luthando BU Mthembu, Winnie Ntshaba, Nhlanhla Kunene, Thabiso Rammusi, Lungile Duma and newcomer Londeka Shishi.
Taking a cue from the show’s name and 18SN rating, the guests showed plenty of skin while strutting the black carpet in some sexy outfits.
Meet the show’s characters
Bonga: Described as the best in the friendship group, “He is a man who strives for what he wants in life, who likes friends, family and girls, even if he doesn’t believe in love”.
Viewers meet Bonga (played by Thembinkosi Mthembu who also appeared as Mabutho in The River, Junior in Republic, and King Dingiswayo in the upcoming Shaka iLembe epic) at a stage in his life when things change for him, as he applies for an 80m Contract.
Vuyani: He is a playboy who depends on his sugar mama, Beth (played by SAFTA nominee Winnie Ntshaba).
“He is the king who kills; his face is his business,” explained the actor behind the role, Luthando BU Mthembu (Big Brother Mzansi, Ayeye: Stripped, Redemption).
“He is not very serious; he may take something very serious and make it light. I am a person who will relate to his playfulness; I feel that everyone at some time has fun and is not too deep.
Eric: This character has been described as a hot-headed bad-boy who also tries to be a good father with limited access to his daughter. This character is played by Nhlanhla Kunene.
Mpho: Played by Thabiso Rammusi, Mpho completes his group of friends and he is a family who has an affair instead of facing problems with his marriage.
Jumping from the Amapiano club to the G-Wagon showroom and from the bedroom to the boardroom, this season also features Skelelwa Vuyeleni (Hope, House of Zwide) as Eric’s baby mamma; Lungile Duma (The River, Durban Gen) as Mpho’s wife; and newcomer Londeka Shishi as Bonga’s love interest.
The likes of Buhle Samuels, Dr Fezile Mkhize, Dele Malinga, Lindani Nkosi and Isaac Gampu will also make special appearances alongside stars like Major League DJz, Boohle, Mohale Motaung and photographer Austin Malema.
mature is the first Showmax Original from Tshedza Pictures, the production company behind the International Emmy nominated telenovela. River and SAFTA Best TV Drama winner Republic.
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Tshedza Pictures founders Phathu Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon have won five SAFTA Best Screenplay awards in the past four years.
Thoughts on the show?
Residents can only preview the first episode that gets off to a sexy start as the leading man Thembinkosi Mthembu put “throb” in the heartthrob with a raunchy type of scene ahead of the main win for his character.
Expect more this season as we talk to the stars of the show about the popularity of sex scenes in South African shows and how the industry is finally getting here.
Thembinkosi, Luthando and Nhlanhla all emphasized the importance of both consent and intimacy coaches on set guiding each person through their respective scenes.
Showing how to set up the scene, each actor highlights the fact that a conversation must happen between the two people who will be shown in the scene about what is okay and what is not. They are then given protective gear to wear private parts that are not visible on screen, so be sure that you are not watching real sex between the stars.
If it seems real, let it be a testament to the star’s acting skills on screen.
WATCH: Official trailer for Showmax ‘Adulting’ below
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