Kings of Jo’burg is a South African television series created by Shona Ferguson. The first season premiered on Netflix on December 4, 2020, featuring six episodes, each approximately 42 minutes long. The second season, consisting of eight episodes, was released on January 23, 2023. The third and final season premiered on June 13, 2025, and includes seven episodes.
Kings of Jo’burg follows the Masire family, the powerful rulers of Johannesburg’s criminal underworld. Within the family, tensions run high as they face internal power struggles, betrayal, and shifting loyalties. Adding to their turmoil is a dark and mysterious supernatural force that threatens not only their empire but their very existence.
The first season introduces viewers to the Masire family, led by Simon Masire, the head of Johannesburg’s criminal empire. However, by the end of the season, a dramatic power shift occurs following Simon’s sudden disappearance, and leadership falls to his brother, Mogomotsi “Mo” Masire. The internal dynamics continue to evolve throughout Season 2, culminating in the first episode of season 3, where Mo is imprisoned. This leads to the unexpected return of Simon’s twin sister, long presumed dead after being away for 20 years, who steps in as the new leader of the family.
At first, I was intrigued by Kings of Jo’burg because it introduced something fresh, an evil supernatural force mysteriously intertwined with a human host. Unfortunately, that initial curiosity faded quickly by episode two of season one.
Regrettably, the entire series turned out to be a disappointment from start to finish. The writing lacked cohesion, the editing was disjointed, lacked flow and the camera work was disconcerting, filled with abrupt cuts and random scenes that often made no sense. The show was riddled with pointless subplots that failed to connect or serve the central narrative in any meaningful way. On top of that, the acting across the board was underwhelming, making it difficult to stay engaged. What could have been a unique and compelling series ultimately fell apart in execution.
Furthermore, the supernatural entity was ultimately underwhelming. Despite her ominous presence and sacrificial demands, she lacked any real power or influence that would justify her role in the story. What began as a potentially compelling supernatural element ended up feeling like a weak, gimmicky plot device.
Adding to the series’ downfall was the constant introduction of underdeveloped characters. Most of them served no clear purpose and contributed nothing meaningful to the overall plot. Instead of enriching the story, they cluttered it, making an already disjointed narrative feel even more chaotic. In the end, these elements only helped accelerate the show’s downward spiral.
Overall, I had high hopes for Kings of Jo’burg. The concept was promising, offering something unique within South African television. Unfortunately, the execution fell flat on nearly every level. What’s most disappointing is that this show had real potential, it could have been one of South Africa’s standout series accomplishments. Regrettably, there’s just no saving it. Season 3 marks the end of the road, and honestly, it’s a relief to see this sinking ship finally reach its conclusion.
