Lagos, Nigeria, August 15, 2023 Following the recent launch of Femi Adebayo’s Yoruba epic Jagun Jagun on August 10 and the star-studded Lights, Camera… Naija! event in Lagos on Sunday, August 13, 2023, Netflix, one of the world’s leading entertainment services, shared an exciting and diverse slate of upcoming films and series, which include returning fan favourites that will land on the service throughout the last quarter of the year.
The upcoming slate of Nigerian stories that span various genres and themes includes new local films and series from Editi Effiong, Mo Abudu, Charles Okpaleke, Kunle Afolayan, and Kemi Adetiba. The titles are currently in different stages of production, and once completed, they will make their debut on Netflix to over 238 million members around the world in more than 190 countries.
Ben Amadasun, the Netflix Vice President of Content in the Middle East and Africa, said, “We are fortunate to bring incredible projects from some of Nigeria’s most prolific creators. Collaborating with them has enabled us to showcase Nigeria’s immense storytelling talent and creativity and make Netflix the home of the best Nigerian stories for our audience in Nigeria and around the world.”
The licenced titles from Nigeria’s prolific filmmakers will include much-anticipated films and series that will all make their global premieres on the service. The exact dates for each title will be shared closer to the launch dates.
The Black Book
“The Black Book” is a much-anticipated mystery and crime thriller film by Editi Effiong and Anakle Films. In this story, old scores bubble to the surface when a gang of corrupt policemen kills a man’s only son, and he begins a search for justice. The film is directed and produced by Editi Effiong and features a star-studded cast with Richard Mofe-Damijo and Ade Laoye as lead cast members, working alongside Sam Dede, Alex Usifo Omiagbo; Olumide Oworu, Shaffy Bello, Ireti Doyle, Taiwo Ajayi Lycett, Ikechukwu Onunaku, Patric Doyle, Bimbo Manuel Femi Branch, Denola Grey, Kelechi Udegbe and Nobert Young.
Blood Vessel
“Blood Vessel” is a mystery and crime thriller film from Charles Okpaleke and Play Network Studios. The story revolves around a group of six friends who find themselves caught in the crossfire and attempt to flee to South America as stowaways on a ship as unrest grows over a mega coup plotted in their hometown along the Niger Delta. The film is directed by Moses Inwang and produced by Agozie Ugwu, Arafat Bello-Osagie & Roxanne Adekunle-Wright. The lead cast includes David Ezekiel, Adaobi Dibor and Jide Kene Achufusi.
Ijogbon
“Ijogbon” is a coming-of-age drama-adventure film about four teenage youths from a rural village in South-West Nigeria who stumble across a pouch of diamonds and conceal it, to grave repercussions. The story was created by director Kunle Afolayan and produced by Golden Effects Pictures. The cast features Ruby Akubueze, Kayode Ojuolape, Oluwaseyi Ebiesuwa; Fawaz Aina of Ikorodu Boiz; Yemi Solade; Gabriel Afolayan and Bimbo Manuel.
Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Specter (Series)
Another title from Kunle Afolayan and Golden Effects Pictures will be the spinoff of the much-beloved Yoruba epic, “Aníkúlápó,” which will make its return to the screens as a four-part sequel following the success of the movie. The series, directed and produced by Kunle Afolayan, will feature returning stars Sola Sowobale, Kunle Remi, and Bimbo Ademoye alongside Owobo Ogunde, Gabriel Afolayan, Lateef Adedimeji, Eyiyemi Afolayan, Uzee Usman, Oyinda Sanni and Taiwo Hassan.
War: Wrath and Revenge
“War: Wrath and Revenge” is a brand-new drama series from Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Studios. A spin off from the popular “Sons of the Caliphate,” WAR follows Nuhu Bula’s rise to the governorship of Kowa, treacherously orchestrated by his wife Binta, who would stop at nothing to see her husband succeed. When Binta discovers her husband is about to take a second wife, the wrath of a woman scorned will stop at nothing to protect her love.
Mo Abudu is the series’ executive producer, with Heidi Uys as Supervising Producer. Dimbo Atiya will be in the director’s chair, guiding a star-studded cast including Mofe Duncan, Rahama Sadau, Yakubu Mohammed, Patrick Doyle, Ayoola Ayolola, Ifeanyi Kalu, Theresa Edem, Bikiya Graham Douglas, Daniel Okosun, Maikudi “Cashman”, Mickey Odeh, Sophia Muhammed, Uzee Usman, Padita Agu and Ahide Adum.
Òlòtūré (Series)
Following the success of the “Òlòtūré” film, Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Studios’ feature on human trafficking, the story will return to Netflix as a series, where Òlòtūré, a young journalist, continues her undercover work as a journalist crossing the Benin border. Her perilous journey will take her through the hostile lands of Niger and Libya to the Mediterranean as she desperately tries to find a way out. Kenneth Gyang makes his return as director, with the beloved cast featuring Sharon Ooja, Omoni Oboli, Beverley Osu, Ikechukwu Onunaku, Stan Nze, Amarachukwu Onoh, Bukola Oladipupo, Daniel Etim Effiong, and Patrick Doyle taking up their roles in the series. “Òlòtūré” is set for a 2024 release on Netflix.
There are several other licenced titles that are currently in production and will make their debut on the service in 2024, one of which is Kemi Adetiba’s much-anticipated crime thriller series, “To Kill A Monkey,” starring William Benson and Bucci Franklin in the lead roles and including cast support by Bimbo Akintola, Chidi Mokeme, Dami Adegbite, and Ireti Doyle. The series, written and directed by Adetiba, who also produced it alongside Remi Adetiba, recently kicked off production. More information about the story and the cast will be shared at a later date.
