Amazon Prime Video: originals to watch in SA?

Let’s be honest for a second… Amazon knows that many people are only tuning into Prime Video for The Grand Tour. After all, the trio of Clarkson, Hammond and May are pop culture icons thanks to their escapades.

But what if you don’t care for the motoring stuff? Or do you need a bit more justification to subscribe to the service? Here are a few more notable original shows that are available in South Africa. It’s worth noting that a few Amazon Originals are still missing from the SA selection though…

The Man In The High Castle

One of the more popular Amazon Originals, The Man In The High Castle is based on the Philip K Dick novel of the same name.

The series (which has already received a second season) takes place in an alternate 1962, where Japan and Germany won World War Two and took over the USA.

It’s by no means a ho-hum affair either, winning a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Design, for starters.

Mozart in the Jungle

A peek behind the classical music curtain, this comedy-drama is currently sitting on a very solid 8.2 rating from IMDB.

Mozart in the Jungle is loosely based on the 2005 memoir of classical musician Blair Tindall, and has already hit its third season.

The series is no stranger to accolades either, having picked up two Golden Globes as well as an Emmy for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series.

Transparent

It’s received plenty of gongs, winning two Golden Globes in 2015 and eight Emmy Awards in total. In fact, the Guardian’s review claims that “there is no better television around at the moment”. So what is the series all about, then?

The comedy revolves around a family who makes the discovery that their dad, played by Jeffrey Tambor, is transgender. And the series has earned a great reception from the likes of GLAAD as well, perhaps showing just how respectful the series is to the subject matter.

Red Oaks

The 1980s seems to be a rather popular setting these days, with Stranger Things and Red Oaks opting for the setting.

In any event, this comedy sees a college student “enjoying a last hurrah before summer comes to an end”. The usual sitcom fodder at first glance, then.

It’s only been nominated for one award (Golden Maple Awards), but Red Oaks is sitting on a solid 7.9 IMDB rating anyway.

Hand of God

With Ron Pearlman in a starring role, it’s no wonder that this is one of the stranger entries on the list. The veteran actor plays a “morally corrupt” judge who suffers a breakdown and believes that God wants him to become a vigilante. Because Ron Pearlman.

It might be the weakest original on the list, featuring a 7.5 rating on IMDB, 44 score on Metacritic and a 30% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. But it’s worth noting that the audience ratings/reviews are decent anyway.