Showmax lines up 200-episode novela
MultiChoice-owned African streaming platform Showmax will premiere its first Nigerian telenovela, Wura, on January 23.
Wura is a Nigerian adaptation of the hit South African telenovela The River, which aired on 1Magic and is set against the backdrop of the gold mining industry in the Iperindo community of Osun state.
The show tells the story of a woman who is a perfect wife, a loving mother of two and the ruthless CEO of the gold mine. In the eyes of her family, Wura is faultless and a saint, but when it comes to running her business empire, she is the ultimate iron lady who doesn’t care whose ox is gored in the path to get what she wants.
The show will reveal the hidden treasures of Iperindo, whose residents are still plagued by poverty and exposed to environmental disasters as a result of illegal mining activities.
Its cast includes Scarlet Gomez in the title role, as well as Yomi Fash-Lanso, Carol King, Ray Adeka, Iremide Adeoye, Ego Iheanacho, Martha Ehinome and Lanre Adediwura.
Busola Tejumola, executive head of content and West Africa channels at MultiChoice Nigeria, said: “Wura explores the untold story of gold mining in Nigeria and is a demonstration of Showmax’s continued investment in authentic local stories. Each scene is carefully crafted to thoroughly entertain as well as educate our viewers.
“This is going to be our longest-running Nigerian telenovela with over 200 episodes, and a lot of hard work and long hours have gone into making it. We are incredibly proud of the outcome and cannot wait to share it with the world.”
Rogers Ofime, the award-winning filmmaker and executive producer of Wura, added: “Our research into the world of Wura has given us a new belief in Nollywood. We poured our hearts and souls into the show. Every word, every scene, and every reaction was a thought-provoking journey, a journey we would like you to be a part of and be entertained by.
“Wura gives all the emotions that a well-rounded series should; it will pull you into its world of intricacies, whodunit, deceit, triumph and suspense from the very first frame to the last. We have no doubt that our viewers will enjoy Wura as much as we loved making it for their viewing pleasure.”