How Spinners became an international breakout

In the opening scene of Spinners Season 1, it's night-time and gunshots ring out across a deserted street as 17-year-old Ethan (Cantona James) grips the steering wheel, terrified and caught in the middle of a violent shootout.

As the episode unfolds, we learn that Ethan is the getaway driver for a local gang, a role that weighs heavily on him. Beyond the criminal world, he is also the primary caregiver to his younger brother, Byron (Jihaad Otto). Ethan is resourceful, empathetic, and his strong sense of responsibility and compassion leave him questioning where his loyalties belong. 

What follows is a gripping coming-of-age story as Ethan discovers the world of spinning, opening the door to a different future. Packed with high-stakes drama, compelling characters and unexpected twists, Spinners S1 is a story of survival, ambition and second chances.

Catch the season premiere from Sunday, 30 August at 8PM on Mzansi Magic channel 161 and follow Ethan's journey from the streets to the spinning arena.

Now, fans can look forward to Spinners S2, coming to Mzansi Magic on DStv from 25 October at 8PM. 

Get DStv  Start streaming

Watch S2 trailer of Spinners

What happened in Spinners S1?

Set in Cape Town's Cape Flats, Spinners opens with 17-year-old Ethan working as a driver for local gang boss Damien, a job he's taken on to support himself and his younger brother. Ethan is good at what he does, but he's increasingly disgusted by the violence around him, and his home life isn't much easier: his mother struggles with addiction, and her boyfriend is someone Ethan can't stand. The one bright spot is his relationship with Kayla, who steps in to protect her sons whenever it counts.

Everything changes when Shane, a mechanic attached to a local spinning crew, shows Ethan what's possible with a car beyond gang errands. Spinning – sending a vehicle into controlled doughnuts while the driver performs stunts on, around, or hanging off it – becomes Ethan's first real glimpse of a life outside crime. He starts training and bonds with Amber, a skilled spinner who becomes both a mentor and a love interest, as the two of them set their sights on an upcoming competition.

But Ethan can't simply walk away from Damien's world. Under money pressure while trying to build his own car, Ethan starts embezzling from the gang's funds, a decision that puts him on a collision course with Damien, who is simultaneously plotting a high-stakes job of his own. As tensions escalate, Ethan finds himself caught between two lives: his spinning ambitions, which bring him closer to a scout who could change his future, and mounting police scrutiny that threatens to derail the competition entirely.

The two worlds finally collide when Damien, suspecting a leak, sends his enforcer Hercules after Ethan just as Ethan's crew is preparing for a major spinning event. The fallout gets Ethan cast out of both the gang and his spinning crew, leaving him exiled and forced to fend for himself. Amber offers him one last chance at redemption – a route back into the competition that could still save him – but before Ethan can fully take it, an agonising choice forces him to run, and he's ultimately captured by a rival figure, Nazeem, leaving his fate hanging as the season closes.

Who’s in the cast of Spinners?

The series was led by Cantona James as Ethan, alongside Elton Landrew as gang boss Damien, Chelsea Thomas as Amber, and Dillon Windvogel as Shane. The supporting cast included Brendon Daniels as Hercules, David Isaacs as Nazeem, Katlego Lebogang as a young detective named Phumeza, and Stephren Saayman, among others. It was directed by Jaco Bouwer and co-created by producer Joachim Landau and showrunner Benjamin Hoffman, with the story developed by writers Sean Steinberg and Matthew Jankes.

Which awards did Spinners S1 win? 

Reviewers and audiences responded warmly, with the Cape Town premiere drawing a standing ovation and the show opening MIP Africa 2023 to strong buzz; one outlet called it "the gold standard for local productions," and viewers praised its authentic depiction of the Cape Flats. That goodwill translated into hardware: three wins at the inaugural Dakar Series (including Best TV Series and a Best Performance award for Cantona James), Best Foreign TV Series at Shanghai's Magnolia Awards – beating Succession – and three SAFTA nominations.

What impact did Spinners S1 have on the young stars’ careers?

The show was a genuine breakout for lead Cantona James, previously known mainly for a supporting role in Arendsvlei, and it added a widely praised credit to Chelsea Thomas's résumé and to the already-decorated Brendon Daniels. Its success also helped secure a confirmed Season 2, picking up two years later as Ethan and his friends navigate newfound fame – and a new threat from a rival crime family.

When can I watch Spinners?

Spinners S1 starts on Sunday, 30 August at 8PM on Mzansi Magic channel 161. Spinners S2 is coming to Mzansi Magic on 25 October 25 at 8PM.