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10 series to watch this weekend

Cape Town - From bling-tastic reality series to dark comedies to an illuminating documentary about one of the world’s most enigmatic stars, internet TV delivers an irresistible dose of drama this weekend.

1. Devious Maids, Seasons 1-3 (Showmax)

Executive produced by Eva Longoria and from the creator of Desperate Housewives comes this dark comedy about four Latina women who clean the houses of the Beverly Hills elite, exposing their dirtiest secrets, solving deadly mysteries and uncovering crimes that unfold behind closed doors. Their wealthy bosses have no idea who truly wields the power in their homes.

2. Mariah’s World (Showmax)

Many have asked why someone as famous as Mariah would need her own reality show. But we don’t ask questions - we just watch in awe as one of showbiz’s original divas sashays her way through the world, taking no prisoners and always getting exactly what she wants. This was filmed in 2016 during her world tour, and is the closest you’ll ever get to Mariah Carey. Is that a good thing? Who knows. One thing’s for sure: This kind of voyeurism doesn’t get old.

3. Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Seasons 1-11 (Showmax)

They’ve been on our screens for a full decade now. Love them or loathe them, there’s no denying that the Kardashians are the Kweens of reality TV. See all the scandals you remember unfolding before your very eyes, from Caitlyn Jenner’s transformation to her feud with Khloe, from Kim’s pregnancy to Kourtney’s doomed relationship, from Kylie’s lip plumper success to Kendall’s ill-advised Pepsi ad. The drama, like, literally never stops.

4. Being Mary Jane, Seasons 1-3 (Showmax)

Mary Jane Paul has it all - she’s a famous news anchor, makes plenty of her own money, and looks like a dream. But in reality, she faces difficulties at every turn, from her family, who aren’t nearly as motivated to succeed as she is, in her love life, which doesn’t ever pan out the way she hopes, and from society, which expects her to settle down and have kids. Gabrielle Union is phenomenal in her role in this series that takes an honest look at friendship, love and career from the perspective of a successful thirtysomething woman.

5. The Arrangement (Showmax)

This series about an aspiring actress and her “arrangement” with the world’s most famous movie star will have you hooked within minutes. When Kyle West falls for Megan at an audition, it seems like she’s won the lottery, and then she’s promised millions of dollars if she stays in a relationship with him. How can she refuse? But before long, she realises that Kyle’s being controlled by the leader of a cult, a guy he thinks is his best friend. If she’s going to outwit the Institute of the Higher Mind, Megan has to learn how to beat them at their own game, without letting anyone - especially Kyle - know that she’s on to them.

6. Gaga: Five Foot Two (Netflix)

She may be known for her outrageous outfits and incredible voice, but there’s a lot more to Lady Gaga than first meets the eye, as you’ll discover in this fascinating behind-the-scenes look at a year in the singer-songwriter’s life. The documentary focuses on the release of her fifth studio album Joanne, and her lauded performance at the Superbowl this year, and gives us a glimpse into the struggles Gaga copes with on a daily basis.

7. Gypsy (Netflix)

Jean Holloway (Naomi Watts) is a psychotherapist with a normal suburban married life. It’s so normal that she finds herself desperate for an escape - which she finds by worming herself into the personal lives of her disturbed patients. How far can she go before she risks it all? An unsettling and darkly sexy series that explores the danger of fantasy and hidden desires. 

8. Angie Tribeca, Season 3 (DStv Now)

Created by Steve Carell and starring Rashida Jones, this cop comedy is about an LAPD investigator who works best alone - but then is saddled with a partner who’s even more inept than she is. It’s slapstick, it’s quirky, it’s strange - and it’s a great escapist caper, especially for fans of the Naked Gun movies.

9. WAGS Miami, Season 2 (DStv Now)

For these wives and girlfriends of star athletes, bigger is better and more is more, especially when it comes to diamonds, bank balances, lifestyles and … um … personalities. While their other halves are off doing their elite athletic thing, these women support (and also backstab and badmouth) one another while trying to manoeuvre their way to the top of their exclusive food chain.

10. I Love Dick (Amazon)

Starring the brilliant Kathryn Hahn as Chris, this unusual and artsy feminist series, based on the memoir by Chris Krause, is all about self-discovery. Struggling film maker Chris and her husband Sylvère move to the middle of nowhere for Sylvère’s research fellowship where they join a community of artists, writers and academics. But neither of them expects to become enamoured with fellowship sponsor Dick (Kevin Bacon), which they both do, for very different reasons. As the series progresses, their marriage is put to the test as Chris’ sexual desires and fantasies begin to cross the line between imagination and real-life. 

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