The Oath
Channel: SABC3
TX Time: 21h30
Genre: Drama
This 10-episode series explores a world of gangs made up of those sworn to protect and defend and sheds light on corrupt and secret societies that are nearly impossible to join.
Only a select few make the cut, but once inside, members will do what they must to protect each other from enemies on the outside and from within their own ranks.
Created by Joe Halpin, who worked as a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputy in South Central for 17 years, 12 of which as an undercover officer, the series takes an unforgiving look at the complicated dynamics in these organisations and documents the lives of those willing to risk it all, to have it all.
The Oath stars Ryan Kwanten (True Blood), Cory Hardrict (American Sniper), Arlen Escarpeta (The Magicians), Katrina Law (Training Day), J.J. Soria (Animal Kingdom) and Game of Thrones star Sean Bean.
In the series premiere, "The Deal": When a group of corrupt cops known as The Ravens are arrested, they must induct an FBI mole into their ranks or face prison.
It's up to Raven leader Steve Hammond and brother Cole to hide the deal from the gang including their imprisoned father, Tom, all while playing nice with the Feds.
Growing Up Hip Hop: New York
Channel: Vuzu (DStv 116)
TX Time: 22h00
Genre: Docu-Reality, Music
From broken relationships and love triangles to arrests, sibling rivalries and the infamous Fyre Festival; each hour-long episode of Growing Up Hip Hop: New York will be a non-stop, drama-packed ride.
The newest series in the franchise will follow these New York natives as they navigate their complicated love lives and hustle hard to become more than just the sons and daughters of their famous parents.
The well-off and well-connected cast includes:
- Rap star Ja Rule and children Jeff Bruce Atkins Jr. and Brittney Atkins
- Murder Inc. mogul Irv Gotti and children, Angie Pearson and Jonathan "JJ" Wilson Lorenzo
- Fat Joe with son Ryan Cartagena
- Rapper Charli Baltimore and daughter DJ Siaani
- Young Dirty Bastard, son of the late Old Dirty Bastard
- Flavor Flav and his children Da'Zyna, Quan and Will
- JoJo Simmons, son of rap pioneer Rev. Run
- Rapper and actress Lil' Mama and her brother Arnstar
- Rapper and producer Kid Capri with daughter Vina Love
Bepannah
Channel: eExtra (Openview 105 / DStv 195 / StarSat 489)
TX Time: 16h00
Genre: Telenovela
An impossible love story of two strangers brought together by the destiny, Bepannah is the story of Aditya and Zoya and how they found love in the most hopeless place.
After losing their spouses in an accident, Aditya and Zoya discover that their spouses were cheating on them and were together when they died.
The world as they know it crashes around them... but in that chaos they find each other.
A relationship that starts with hate - they are a constant reminder to each other of what went wrong - yet hate turns to friendship and friendship eventually turns to love.
But love is not easy when you have been betrayed once.
On one hand it is the story of Aditya and Zoya's finding love in each other, but on the other it is also a story about the betrayals on various fronts and the unanswered question: why did Yash and Pooja really die?
The mystery around Pooja and Yash's accident will open a great big can of worms. Was it really an accident? Was it a suicide? Or was it murder?
And the answers as they start tumbling out will affect Aditya and Zoya's life in a way that will keep bringing them together and pushing them apart.
Will Aditya and Zoya be able to find their perfect "last" love in each other against all odds?
Splitting Up Together
Channel: Comedy Central (DStv 122)
TX Time: 20h00
Genre: Comedy
The story of Lena (Jenna Fischer) and Martin (Oliver Hudson), whose marriage is reignited by their divorce.
Lena and Martin were once madly in love. But, like many marriages, time and circumstance eventually took their toll and the romance disappeared.
Lena, the perfectionist, fell into the role of caretaker for everyone, including Martin. Martin felt he could never do anything right and gave up making the effort.
Finding themselves in a platonic marriage and acting more like a pair of camp counselors wrangling their kids than a couple hopelessly in love, they decide that everyone's lives would be better served if they got a divorce.
Still wanting the best for their three kids and facing a daunting real estate market, the couple decides to "Bird Nest" instead.
One parent will live in the house as the "on-duty" parent taking care of the kids, while the "off-duty" parent will live in the detached garage, doing whatever he or she pleases while switching off every other week.
Could being apart ultimately lead to them getting back together?
In the premiere episode, "Pilot": After breaking the news to their friends and family about their divorce, Lena has to deal with her son Mason's growing pains.
Meanwhile, Martin, still feeling guilty about refusing to dance with Lena at their wedding, secretly tries to atone for his oversight and surprise his ex-wife with new moves.
I Plead Guilty
Channel: TLNovelas (DStv Channel 133)
TX Time: 16h05
Genre: Telenovela
Franco Urzúa is a prestigious lawyer with an extended and successful career.
He is married to Roberta, a beautiful and wealthy woman who is tormented by the bipolar disorder she has suffered since childhood.
Franco and Roberta have a daughter, Natalia, who is Franco's most precious jewel.
Despite all his success, money and fame, Franco's life is empty.
His marriage with Roberta has fallen into routine and turned into a loveless relationship; nevertheless, it is hard for him to consider divorce as an option since he is part of the prestigious law firm owned by his father-in-law, Mauro, whom he worships and truly cares for.
Life brings Franco face to face with the hardest and most challenging of trials: defending Alba Garza, a devoted and loving wife who got her husband disconnected from the life-support equipment that kept him alive as he was terminally ill.
But losing her freedom is the price she will pay for her choice.
Desperate to see her son Santiago again and with no money to pay herself a lawyer, Alba begs Franco to help her. He gets moved by her story and accepts taking her case.
Thanks to his talent and deep knowledge of law, Franco has Alba released on parole.
Upon leaving jail, Alba tries to recover her son and take him away from Ingrid, her sister in-law who assumed the legal responsibility for Alba's son and hates her for ending her brother's life.
Alba fights hard to recover her son, but Ingrid tries to prevent her from achieving it at all costs, even getting a restraining order.
With Franco's help, Alba wins each and every one of the battles against Ingrid and finally she can approach her son again and start rebuilding a relationship with him.
Alba and Franco start getting in touch too often, and although the circumstances around them are adverse, their frequent coexistence leads them to inevitably fall in love with each other.
But a woman whose heart has been broken is capable of anything, and more so if she suffers a mental illness, that's why Roberta won't give up her husband so easily.
She will dare to do the unthinkable just to keep him with her.
On the other hand, Natalia, Franco and Roberta's daughter, is a nice girl with good morals. She is Julián's girlfriend, a man who is with her out of convenience.
Natalia's life changes radically after she runs over a man.
She wants to take responsibility for her action and tell her father about it, but Julián and Roberta stop her from doing so, arguing he would be sorely disappointed by this.
Fearful, Natalia remains silent and tormented by the guilt about what happened, ignoring that Paolo, the boy with whom she falls madly in love, is in fact the guy she hit with her car.
All the same, Franco will remain a strong man of faith, determination, and persistence, who won't stop until he gives Alba her freedom back and brings his own heart to life, fighting for his new love and her cause.
Paolo and Natalia will prove that hatred and love are both part of the same scale and it is up to them to shift it to their side.
Love, hatred, manipulation, and lies will make this story unique, proving that each one of us are responsible for our own fate.
Mira, Royal Detective
Channel: Disney Junior (DStv 309)
TX Time: 18h00
Genre: Kids, Animation
Set in the magical Indian-inspired land of Jalpur, the series introduces a brave and resourceful girl from the town named Mira, who is appointed to the role of royal detective by the queen after solving a mystery that involves saving the kingdom's young prince.
As royal detective, Mira travels throughout the kingdom helping royals and town-folk alike.
Along with her friend Prince Neel, creative cousin Priya, and comical mongoose sidekicks Mikku and Chikku, she will stop at nothing to solve a case, taking young viewers on adventures that highlight critical thinking and encourage deductive reasoning.
Rooted in India's vibrant heritage, each episode will weave authentic music, dance and customs into two 11-minutes stories.
Reflecting their importance in Indian culture, music and dance play an integral role.
Each episode features at least one original song and Mira's signature recurring song, We're on the Case.
Both the songs and the underscore pair a variety of South Asian musical styles, including Bollywood, pop, classical, folk, fusion and more, with a classic Disney feel.
The dance numbers also showcase the diversity of the culture, highlighting both northern and southern Indian styles, as well as big Bollywood routines.
Piya Naam Ka Diya
Channel: eExtra (Openview 105 / DStv 195 / StarSat 489)
TX Time: 17h45
Genre: Telenovela
Hardworking and kind, Naila runs her own sewing workshop and shares her home with her brother and her sister-in-law.
Her sister-in-law's brother Babar's frequent visits to their house lead to him developing a special interest in Naila.
Before anything can happen between them, Naila receives a marriage proposal from Waqas, who is well educated and sought after.
On the night of their wedding, Waqas tells Naila that the only way he will be satisfied with her as a wife is if she fulfills the needs and requirements of his family.
Disappointed and heartbroken, Naila sets on a path to do everything she can to gain Waqas's love and trust.
Will she be able to overcome all the obstacles in front of her or will she fall prey to betrayal? Will Waqas's unreasonable requirements ruin the relationship?
What role will Babar play in the life of his true love?
In a journey that requires strength and resilience for the eventual triumph of good over evil, Naila must use everything in her power to succeed.