Tag Archives: Deborah Ayorinde

Amazon Studios gathers Ajayi’s Riches

Amazon Studios has boarded the previously announced drama series Riches from London-based prodco Greenacre Films and UK commercial broadcaster ITV, starring British-Nigerian actress Deborah Ayorinde.

Deborah Ayorinde

The six-part drama will premiere on ITV in the UK, while Amazon’s Prime Video will carry the series in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Nordics and Sub-Saharan Africa.

The project, created and written by Abby Ajayi (How to Get Away With Murder), recently went into production in London after receiving a green light last year. It was commissioned by Polly Hill, head of drama at ITV.

Riches follows the exploits of a brash, successful and wealthy family and stars Ayorinde (Them, Truth Be Told) as the estranged daughter of a self-made millionaire played by Ghanaian-born British actor Hugh Quarshie. Sarah Niles, Brendan Coyle and Hermione Norris also star.

Hugh Quarshie

The series is produced by Greenacre Films in association with Monumental Television, with Amazon Studios credited as coproducing in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Nordics and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Nadine Marsh-Edwards and Amanda Jenks are executive producers for Greenacre Films, with Alison Owen and Alison Carpenter exec producing for ITV-backed Monumental Television. Directors on the project are Sebastian Thiel, Darcia Martin and Ajayi, a British screenwriter of Nigerian heritage.

Banijay Rights is handling international distribution on behalf of Greenacre Films. The companies have had a first-look distribution deal since 2019.

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British Nigerian to star in Amazon series

A British-Nigerian actor has landed the lead role in Amazon horror anthology series Them, from Emmy-winning producer Lena Waithe.

Deborah Ayorinde

In the first season of Them, Deborah Ayorinde will play Lucky Emory, who moves from North Carolina with her husband and family to an all-white neighbourhood in LA, where they come into contact with malevolent forces.

The show is part of Waithe’s recently signed overall deal with Amazon Studios to create original content. Describing Them, she said: “The first season will speak to how frightening it was to be black in 1953. It will also remind us that being black in 2018 is just as horrifying.

“This anthology series will examine the cultural divides among all of us and explore us versus them in a way we’ve never seen before.”

Ayorinde is known for her roles in films and series such as Girls Trip, Luke Cage and True Detective. She also features in forthcoming biopic Harriet, which is based on the life of abolitionist Harriet Tubman.

The release date for Them has yet to be announced.

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Ayorinde lands True Detective role

British-Nigerian actor Deborah Ayorinde has joined that cast of the new season of HBO drama True Detective.

Deborah Ayorinde

After a two-year hiatus, True Detective will return next year for its third season on the US cablenet. As well a sAyorinde, the crime anthology series feature Oscar-winning Moonlight star Mahershala Ali, plus Ray Fisher, Carmen Ejoho and Sarah Gadon.

The new season will focus on a crime that takes place in the Ozarks in the US, with a mystery that deepens over decades and plays out in three separate time periods. Ayorinde will play Becca Hayes, daughter of lead character Wayne Hayes (Ali).

Her role in True Detective comes after her part in last year’s hit US movie Girl’s Trip. Ayorinde has also featured in a number of TV series, including Sleepy Hollow, Necessary Roughness, Luke Cage and Game of Silence.

The third season will again be written and produced by creator Nic Pizzolatto.

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