Dam, also stylised as DAM, is a South African psychological thriller television series created, written and directed by Alex Yazbek and developed by Picture Tree. The 8-episode first season premiered on 22 February 2021 on Showmax.

Dam
Created byAlex Yazbek
ComposerBrendan Jury
Country of originSouth Africa
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes14 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Yolisa Phahle
  • Gideon Khobane
  • Allan Sperling
  • Nkateko Mabaso
  • Ndzondelelo Dlulane
  • Thabo Shenxane
  • Rowan Govender
ProducerGary King
CinematographyTom Marais
Production companyPicture Tree
Original release
NetworkShowmax
Release22 February 2021 (2021-02-22) –
present

Dam's first season received critical acclaim and was one of the top ten most watched shows on Showmax in 2021.[1] It became the most nominated series at the 2022 South African Film and Television Awards at nomination tally of 11, including Best TV Drama as well as 5 acting nominations, with supporting actress Natasha Loring winning hers. In August 2022, the series was renewed for a second season.[2]

Cast

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Main

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Supporting

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  • Faniswa Yisa as Lindiwe Zita
  • Antoinette Louw as Dora Fischer
  • Laudo Liebenberg as Rudy Reese
  • Gerald Steyn as Max Reese
  • Francis Chouler as Dirk
  • Thembisa Mdoda-Nxumalo as Qaqamba
  • Siv Ngesi as Victor
  • Tarryn Wyngaard as Clara
  • André Odendaal as Dr Nel
  • Marvin-Lee Beukes as Charlton
  • Jennifer Steyn as Yvette
  • Avuzwa Gqamane as Allegra

Episodes

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Series overview

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SeriesEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
1822 February 2021 (2021-02-22)
2616 February 2023 (2023-02-16)23 March 2023 (2023-03-23)

Season 1 (2021)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"Burying the Dead"Alex YazbekAlex Yazbek22 February 2021 (2021-02-22)
Yola returns home to the Eastern Cape from Chile for her father's funeral. She's reluctant to be back and wants to leave as soon as possible, until she meets Themba, a handsome stranger who roars into town.
22"The Inheritance"Alex YazbekAlex Yazbek22 February 2021 (2021-02-22)
Yola finds out that her father has left her the farm, but if it weren't for a stipulation in his will, she would happily turn it over to her sister, Sienna, and Aunt Dora. Later, Themba comes around the farmhouse to visit her.
33"The Claim"Alex YazbekAlex Yazbek22 February 2021 (2021-02-22)
When Yola tries to settle the land claim lodged against the farm by Lazarus Zita, she discovers that Themba is his grandson, and that Lazarus has disappeared. Victor, a member of Themba's bike club, comes to town looking for him.
44"Home is"Alex YazbekAlex Yazbek22 February 2021 (2021-02-22)
Yola suspects that Lazarus was involved in her father's death. Her medication has run out and she's desperate to return to Chile. Sienna convinces Yola to join her and her new love interest, Dirk, for a picnic at the dam.
55"The Past is Not Dead"Alex YazbekAlex Yazbek22 February 2021 (2021-02-22)
Things begin to unravel as Yola questions her own view of reality, especially after she makes an unsettling discovery in her father's attic. Lindiwe, Themba's aunt, begins to act as if something very strange has got into her.
66"Drowning"Alex YazbekAlex Yazbek22 February 2021 (2021-02-22)
Sienna is convinced that Yola is ill and in need of help. Bernoldus makes a startling discovery in the house and wants to tell Yola about it. Meanwhile, Victor returns, as threatened, to collect the money that Themba owes him.
77"Dammed"Alex YazbekAlex Yazbek22 February 2021 (2021-02-22)
Themba searches for Yola but can't find her. He learns that Lazarus's land claim has been resolved. Sienna uncovers her father's art in the attic, a discovery that shakes her to her core. Yola asks Clara what her drawings mean.
88"The Sacrifice"Alex YazbekAlex Yazbek22 February 2021 (2021-02-22)
It's the day of the Spring Festival. Yola and Themba, both fugitives, must work together to save the Spring Princess before it's too late.

Season 2 (2023)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [3]
91"When In Drought"Alex YazbekAlex Yazbek16 February 2023 (2023-02-16)
Sienna prepares for a funeral, but for Lazarus. She meets Themba, who asks about Yola, who has been missing since the Spring Festival. Sienna doesn't know where her sister is or whether she is alive.
102"Fear Makes a Monster"Alex YazbekAlex Yazbek21 February 2023 (2023-02-21)
Yola is back but suffers from a three-month-long blackout. Dirk suspects that she was abducted, and Charl has gone missing. Themba welcomes Yola back, but she doesn't recognize him.
113"Impregnation"Alex YazbekAlex Yazbek2 March 2023 (2023-03-02)
Sienna discovers she is pregnant, not knowing if it's Dirk's or Rudy's. What she does know is that she doesn't want it. There is something deep and dark stirring inside of Yola.
124"Crocodile Tears"Alex YazbekAlex Yazbek9 March 2023 (2023-03-09)
Another body is discovered at the dam. Max forms a hunting party for what they think is a large crocodile. Dora suggests it's a far more sinister beast, but she is ignored. Themba is set up for Yola's abduction.
135"The Witch Hunt"Alex YazbekAlex Yazbek16 March 2023 (2023-03-16)
Yola notices changes to her body and sets off to find out what happened to her. Lindiwe is told to leave her house but she refuses. Themba wakes up in the underworld, where he meets his San ancestor.
146"The Mamlambo"Alex YazbekAlex Yazbek23 March 2023 (2023-03-23)
Max proposes to Yola at the Daughters of Jacob debutantes ball. Sienna pretends to seduce Dirk to get a confession from him. The women of Fort Vannenburg break free. Yola confronts Max.

Production

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Alex Yazbek is the series' creator, writer, and director. Joining him on the creative team were Tom Marais as cinematographer, Sue Steele as production designer, Smartie Olifant as head of make-up, and Brendan Jury in charge of the music.[4]

The cast of Dam was revealed at the beginning of January 2021, with Lea Vivier set to lead the series alongside Antoinette Louw, Neil Sandilands, Faniswa Yisa, Pallance Dladla, Natasha Loring, Siv Ngesi, Laudo Liebenberg, and Gerald Steyn.[5]

Principal photography for the first season began in September 2020[6] and took place on location in the Eastern Cape towns of Bedford and Adelaide. Production for the second season returned to Bedford and Adelaide, and was underway as of August 2022.[2]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2022 South African Film and Television Awards Best TV Drama Dam Nominated [7]
Best Actress – Drama Lea Vivier Nominated
Best Actor – Drama Pallance Dladla Nominated
Best Supporting Actress – Drama Natasha Loring Won
Best Supporting Actor – Drama Neil Sandilands Nominated
Siv Ngesi Nominated
Best Achievement in Directing – Drama Alex Yazbek Nominated
Best Achievement in Art / Design Production – Drama Annie Butler Won
Best Achievement in Sound Design – Drama David Oosthuizen Nominated
Best Original Score – Drama Brendan Jury Nominated
Best Achievement in Make-up and Hairstyling – Drama Mpho Ledwaba and Smartie Olifant Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "The most-watched shows on Showmax in 2021". Showmax Stories. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b de Wee, Naledi (31 August 2022). "'Dam': Showmax thriller series renewed for season 2 [watch]". The South African. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  3. ^ "Shows A-Z – Fairfax on Amazon". The Futon Critic. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  4. ^ Kelleher, Cat (29 January 2021). "First-look trailer: twisty and twisted new Showmax original Dam". Biz Community. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  5. ^ "The cast of Dam". DStv. 5 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  6. ^ Modise, Kedibone (1 March 2021). "Lea Vivier and Alex Yazbek shed more light on the hair-raising series 'DAM'". IOL. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  7. ^ Ferreira, Thinus (14 July 2022). "From The Wife to Tali's Baby Diary - All the 2022 Saftas nominations". Channel24. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
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