Abandoned S1

Accepting that you’re adopted is one thing, it’s a whole other story when you start overthinking and wonder why your parents abandoned you. And that’s what host Phumeza Mdabe is trying to help her guests with in heartbreaking new reality show Abandoned.

All 11 episodes are on Showmax and at 22 minutes running time, it’s a very brief look at the actual drama that takes place. Phumeza meets her adult “abandonee”, makes the connection with their parents, and then tries to give them some form of peace.

It doesn’t always work out, though, explains Phumeza: “What makes the show stand out is that I sit with the sought parent and discuss their reasons for leaving their [now adult] child prior to them reuniting. I’ve learnt that giving a child up for adoption is sometimes an act of love. It’s far more complex than what meets the eye. A boy who is struggling with substance abuse [for example], might be eaten away by their need to fill the void [that comes with splitting from their parent].”

All episodes of Abandoned S1 are available to stream on Showmax.