Showmax puts a second season of Koek in the oven

At the kykNET Silwerskerm Festival in Cape Town, Showmax announced they’ve put a second season of Koek [Cake] in the oven. Season 1 has been one of the ten most-streamed Afrikaans series on the African streamer since its relaunch in February 2024 in partnership with Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Sky.

At this Saturday’s kykNET Silwerskerm Film and TV Awards, the Afrikaans series is up for six prizes, the most of any drama series: Best Actress (Cindy Swanepoel), Actor (Stian Bam and Jacques Bessenger), Supporting Actress (Sandra Prinsloo and Llandi Beeslaar) and Supporting Actor (Dawid Minnaar).

When Cape Town housewife Christelle Smit discovers evidence her husband is having an affair with a stripper named Candi Floss, her investigation takes her to a world poles apart from the suburban utopia she knows.

Swanepoel, who won South African Film and Television and Silwerskerm awards last year as Annelize in Binnelanders, stars as Christelle, with screen legend Prinsloo (The Gods Must Be Crazy) as the brandy-drinking, cigar-smoking, leopard-print loving, kidney-stealing mob boss and strip club owner she’s soon in debt to.

Written by SAFTA and Silwerskerm-winning showrunner Christiaan Olwagen (Kanarie, Recipes for Love & Murder), the R18 DLNSV Showmax Original is directed and filmed by SAFTA and Silwerskerm -winning director and cinematographer Johannes Pieter Nel, hailed as “one of South Africa’s most promising young talents” in Leon van Nierop’s rave review in Rapport. Wolflight Films is the production company.

Koek S2 will be ready to devour in 2025.

“Christiaan Olwagen’s concept is just crazy and I’m so thankful to Showmax that they said, ‘Yes, go for it, tell it in your language and don’t be shy, don’t hold back,” says a clearly delighted Swanepoel. “That’s definitely what sets Koek apart.”

“It is such an honour to revisit this character and have another season,” she continues. “Christelle now? She’s edgy, she’s dangerous, she’s hardcore. Don’t mess with her; she’s been through a lot. But she’s also vulnerable; what she did in Season 1 is hectic; it’s not just something one does. There will also be a lot of comical elements meeting the serious elements. That’s the kind of storytelling I love to do and I can’t wait to play her and see where she is now.”

While you wait, re-watch Koek on Showmax:

Watch the S1 trailer:

“You have never seen such a fantastic comedy in Afrikaans as Koek… You are glued to every moment… A series that deserves local as well as international recognition. It’s the most enjoyable thrill ride ever on a screen in Afrikaans. It will smack your head, make you breathe faster and drive you to the edge of your seat. Enjoy the ride!” Liny Kruger, Netwerk24

“Had me at the edge of my seat… It’s really, really fun. Loved it, loved it, loved it, and it’s so unexpected. Do it; you’ll love me forever.” Leroy Marc, Kaya FM

“The series… creates an almost impossible “Holy Trinity” of television: a cast with actors who give career-best performances; a text that casts a spell; and an overarching vision that manages to weave even the smallest details into a perfect TV tapestry… It’s also funny – often laugh-out-of-your-stomach funny.” Rozanne Els, Terloops

“A gobsmacking rollercoaster ride.” Tat Wolfen, Mix FM

“This series is like no other.” Lucia Poolman, Huisgenoot

“A gobsmacking rollercoaster ride.” Tat Wolfen, Mix FM

“Riveting… Koek on Showmax is revolutionary and should make everyone sit up… It does not stand a step back for the best foreign series. In fact it may have more plot than some of the top American series… Cindy Swanepoel is so convincing; it seems that this is her real life… Sandra Prinsloo is breathtaking as the owner of the sex club…. Several celebrities are seen in fresh roles that they are not known for…”  Klerksdorp Record Midweek

“Will make you laugh out loud.” Reney Warrington, Litnet

“Every episode leaves the viewer on tenterhooks… The casting is sublime.” Debashine Thangevelo, Sunday Tribune

“I can honestly say it’s something I’ve never experienced in Afrikaans.” Elzanne Coetzee, Klyntjie

“Never gonna stop making noise about this show… I need y’all to watch #KoekShowmax… 🔥🔥🔥🔥.” TV commentator Jabulani Macdonald on X