Adelayo Adedayo, Deborah Ayorinde, Cush Jumbo, Susan Wokoma and Genevieve Nnaji.
The BBC has announced casting for ‘Wahala’, a new six-part thriller adapted by BAFTA-nominated writer Theresa Ikoko (Rocks, Grime Kids), as filming begins on the drama for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
Based on Nikki May’s debut novel of the same name, ‘Wahala’ takes its title from the Nigerian word meaning “trouble”, which gives you a fairly good indication that this friendship group is not in for an easy ride. The drama follows four Nigerian-British women in their thirties, moving between their present-day lives in London and their childhood homes, where danger and mystery are never far away.
The cast is led by Adelayo Adedayo (The Responder, Supacell), Deborah Ayorinde (Them, Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue), Cush Jumbo (Criminal Record, The Young People) and Susan Wokoma (Cheaters, Enola Holmes), with Nigerian screen icon Genevieve Nnaji also joining the ensemble.
Adedayo, Jumbo and Wokoma play Simi, Boo and Ronke, best friends who have shared every aspect of life for years. Their carefully balanced world is thrown into chaos when Isobel, played by Ayorinde, a charismatic and super-wealthy new acquaintance, enters their orbit. Trouble, naturally, is not far behind. As tensions rise, loyalties fracture and long-buried truths begin to surface, the women find themselves caught in a chain of events with shocking and tragic consequences.
“I can’t wait to bring Wahala to life with this amazing cast, wonderful directors and brilliantly talented crew,” said Theresa Ikoko.
“I am so excited to be bringing Theresa’s adaptation of Wahala to life, and I can’t wait to work alongside this wonderful cast. Get ready for a thrilling ride with this friendship group!” adds Adelayo Adedayo.
“I’m so excited to be a part of this thrilling series. I’m also excited to embody a character that people haven’t seen from me before,” said Deborah Ayorinde.
“I’m very excited to be part of this show and to bring this fantastic story to the screen,” commented Cush Jumbo.
“As a long fan of Theresa Ikoko and her exquisite writing, it is a honour to be a part of her powerhouse Wahala team. So excited to bring to life Nikki May’s world alongside three of this country’s most outstanding actresses – let’s go!” adds Susan Wokoma.
“I’m very happy to be joining Wahala and to be working with such a brilliant team. It’s an intriguing story and I’m excited to be a part of it,” said Genevieve Nnaji.
“Theresa’s scripts for Wahala are an absolute joy – riveting, full of rich and complex characters, and everything you’d want from Nikki May’s exquisite book brought vividly to life on screen. It’s no surprise that it’s attracted a cast of this magnificent calibre,” said Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama.
“We are so proud to be announcing our incredible cast for Wahala and can’t wait to see them breathe life into these wonderful characters. Wahala promises to be a fantastically entertaining, gripping and epic story that we are delighted to bring to the BBC,” adds Elizabeth Kilgarrif, Executive Producer for Firebird Pictures.
‘Wahala’ is made by Firebird Pictures, part of BBC Studios, for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. The series is executive produced by Nawfal Faizullah for the BBC, Elizabeth Kilgarriff and Craig Holleworth for Firebird Pictures, and Theresa Ikoko. The directors are Leonora Lonsdale, Theresa Ikoko and Remi Weekes, with Ado Yoshizaki Cassuto producing. BBC Studios will handle global sales.
‘Wahala’ does not yet have a premiere date but will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK. If you want to keep track of this or any other shows, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date. Visit Never Miss.
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