South African Soap 'Summertide' to Debut on Acorn TV

It is a truth I hope to live long enough to see Netflix acknowledge, that weekly release series are far superior to binge drops. For one thing, it allows viewers to savor each episode as it arrives, rather than rushing to get to the finale at 1.5x speed or something similar. It also enables critics to discuss each episode in turn, giving the show vital marketing momentum to build impact across the entertainment landscape and giving audiences time to discover the show through word of mouth. 

That's why, despite the current trend of short seasons and long waits in between, one of Acorn TV's most successful offerings is the Canadian Murdoch Mysteries, which runs weekly with 20+ episodes a season, arriving like clockwork every fall on the CBC. (The series also airs on Ovation, but only for cable subscribers, a shrinking viewership.) 

As we've noted before, Acorn TV is one of AMC Networks' two successful niche streaming services (the other being horror-focused Shudder), and has been seeking another hit show that fits the Murdoch mold. To that end, it is bringing over the new South African soap opera Summertide, a family drama that debuted in 2024 and currently has 50 episodes as of this writing. (The series' first season ends in a couple of weeks, and will stand at 52 installments all told.) Acorn TV has scooped up the entirety of Season 1 and will debut the soap at the end of July 2025, just as the second season gets underway in its home country.

Here's the series synopsis:

Summertide centers on renowned marine biologist Martin Field, who, after losing his beloved wife Julia to tragedy, leaves his old life behind and moves his rebellious teenage son and daughter to his childhood home in Simon's Town to begin again. With Julia's memory as his driving force, he pours his heart into setting up a conservation trust to protect the marine life along the False Bay coast. Will he find calm in these waters, or does his past hide painful secrets beneath the surface?

The series will premiere with the first five episodes, aiming to hook viewers right away. Here are the episode descriptions:

• Episode 1: After his wife’s death, Martin Field and his children return to Simons Town. Tristan comes into conflict with local
  teenagers, and Martin comes face-to-face with his first love.
• Episode 2: Martin sets up a Marine Conservation Trust but faces a hostile backlash from the fishing community. Tristan faces
  consequences of his fight and finds chemistry with Yolande.
• Episode 3: Tristan and Lucy’s first day of school doesn’t go well. Martin steps up for his children. Gavin plans to take his
  relationship with Rebecca to the next level.
• Episode 4: Martin angers the fishermen when he proposes no-take zones in False Bay. Tristan is initiated into the surf gang.
  Rebecca and Gavin make up, but feelings for Martin re-surface.
• Episode 5: Martin tries to unite the community with a beach clean-up. Rebecca faces having to sell the restaurant, and Gavin
  deals with his break-up. Lucy grows attached to the penguins.

Frank Rautenbach (Warrior) stars as Martin Field. He's joined by a core ensemble that includes South African actors Morné Visser (White Lies), Andre Jacobs (Black Sails), Cassiel Eatock-Winnik (The Dark Tower), Monique Rockman (Wedding Fever), Matthew Vey (Invasive), Terry Norton (Order of the Dragon), Jan Combrink (Moffie), Mila Guy (Hotel), Euodia Samson (Waterfront), Ntombi Makhutshi (Our Girl), and newcomer Evangelina Hallock.

Gillian Breslin and Iain Paton are lead writers on Summertide, joined by a writer's room that includes Sacha Stokes, Greig Coetzee, Tom Eaton, Zoë Laband, and Stiaan Smith. The directing team for the series consists of Liezl Spies, Corne van Rooyen, Rene van Rooyen, and Catharine Cooke. 

Summertide will premiere on Acorn TV on Monday, July 28, 2025, with five episodes, followed by one episode a week on Mondays into 2026.