Gritty South African Crime Thriller Hits #10 on Netflix & the Trailer Looks So Intense

If you're looking for a compelling, high-stakes thriller to watch tonight, then you may want to consider Unseen, the South African series that's now making waves on Netflix.

Created by Daryne Joshua and Travis Taute (best known for their work on Blood & Water) and inspired by the Turkish, thriller Fatma, Unseen revolves around Zenzi Mwale (Gail Mabalane), a quiet house cleaner who embarks on a dangerous search for her missing husband in Cape Town, South Africa. However, the closer she gets to finding the truth, the more she's pulled into a violent criminal underworld.

After the show's debut in 2023, the second season recently premiered on Netflix and quickly broke into the streaming service's list of trending shows, peaking at #10. Per usual, I immediately made a beeline for YouTube to check out the trailer, and all I can say is, after two minutes, I stared at the screen with my mouth agape.

The teaser alone is packed with edge-of-your-seat suspense, and it's quickly revealed that there's more to the unassuming housemaid than meets the eye. Zenzi's desperation is at an all-time high as she continues the search for her partner in season two, and in one emotional clip, she says, "I'm just trying to find my husband. No one seems to care." However, tensions rise as she learns of a major conspiracy that involves powerful people.

FYI, if Mabalane looks familiar, it's because she also starred as Thandeka in Blood & Water. In an interview with News24, the actress noted that Zenzi is complex and quite different from Thandeka, saying the role was something she'd "never done before." Even so, the actress pointed out that Zenzi's incredible story is challenging viewers to self-reflect.