Nollywood is the latest African film industry to join the Netflix and Africa collaboration spearheaded by Kenyan executive, Dorothy Ghettuba. After months of speculation, the movie streaming platform has launched Netflix Naija; with its first original series already in its pre-production stage.
The big reveal was made by Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, Ted Sarandos. This was during the exclusive launch of Netflix Naija held on Tuesday, February 25, 2020. The Series Director, Akin Omotoso (‘The Ghost and The House of Truth’) also took the opportunity to unveil the cast and crew for the yet to be named series.
Netflix Launches In Nigeria: See The Cast And Crew Of The First Netflix Naija Production
Speaking on the upcoming series, Omotoso disclosed that it is based on a moment from his childhood.
Joining the Netflix Original series cast and crew are co-directors C.J. Obasi, Daniel Oriahi. Kemi Lala-Akindoju will be co-producing while Kate Henshaw, Joke Silva, Bimbo Akintola, Richard Mofe Damijo are among the production’s ensemble cast.
Tuesday’s major announcement follows months of speculations regarding a Netflix and Nollywood collaboration involving local filmmakers. A major move jostled by the massive success of Genevieve Nnaji ‘s Netflix collaboration on her directorial debut, ‘Lion Heart’ in 2018.
Netflix Comes To Nigeria After Collaboration With Genevieve Nnaji For Lion Heart
A scene from the Lion Heart movie
Produced by Chinny Onwugbenu, Chichi Nwoko, Genevieve Nnaji, and directed by Genevieve Nnaji, ‘Lionheart’ premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and was acquired on September 7, 2018, as first Netflix original film produced in Nigeria.
The film stars Pete Edochie, Genevieve Nnaji, Nkem Owoh, Onyeka Onwenu, Kanayo .O. Kanayo, Chika Okpala, Kalu Ikeagwu, Sanni Mu’azu, Yakubu Mohammed, Ngozi Ezeonu, Peter Okoye (P-Square), and Chibuzor Azubuike (Phyno).
Released worldwide on January 4, 2019 after a December 2018 theatrical release in Nigeria, ‘Lionheart’, which is Nnaji’s directorial debut, tells the story of a young woman, Adaeze Obiagu (Genevieve Nnaji), who becomes saddled with the responsibility of running her sick father’s business under the suffocating supervision of an uncle, played by Nkem Owoh. Adaeze’s competing business instincts and family obligations become a catalyst for drastic change not everyone is ready to embrace.
Sadly, the film did not win the category. But there will be other opportunities, especially now that Netflix launches in Nigeria.
