Since acquiring the  Genevieve Nnaji-directed ‘Lionheart’ as its first Nigerian original, Netflix has strengthened its relationship with Nollywood and the Nigerian film audience with a frequent number of commissioned films and shows. Titles have ranged from crime dramas (‘Oloture’, ‘Shanty  Town’) and traditional epics (‘Amina’, ‘Anikulapo’) to light-hearted rom coms like ‘A Sunday Affair’ and ‘A Naija Christmas’. It doesn’t feel like an exaggeration to say that Netflix is playing a supremely important role by giving filmmakers the resources to tell a wide range of stories and easy access for viewers all over the world to watch.

Within the next couple of months, the streamer is ready to up the ante with a lineup of anticipated and intriguing films, in collaboration with a host of popular (and inventive) filmmakers. Just last week, Femi Adebayo’s Yoruba epic, ‘Jagun Jagun’, premiered to overtly positive reception, setting an exciting, expectant tone for what to expect as 2023 closes out and possibly heading into next year. Following “Lights, Camera… Naija!”, the star-studded event held in Lagos on Sunday, which was attended by a who’s who of the Nigerian film industry, Netflix has shared some details for seven upcoming titles scheduled for release in the coming months.

 

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Headlining the slate are the series spinoff for ‘Oloture’ and ‘Anikulapo’, the former originally a 2019 film that follows a journalist who goes undercover to expose a human trafficking ring and the latter, released in 2022, is a fantasy folklore about a young man who (mis)uses otherworldly powers. In another spinoff, ‘War: Wrath And Revenge’ picks up from the popular EbonyLife political thriller series, ‘Sons of the Caliphate’, continuing Mo Abudu’s extensive partnership with Netflix.

In addition to Kunle Afolayan (‘Anikulapo’), Kemi Adetiba, Charles Okpaleke and Editi Effiong are the other filmmakers behind the seven upcoming titles, all of which are in various (post-)production stages. There’s no release dates yet for any of these films and series, but here’s what we know so far for each one.

The Black Book

Directed and produced by Editi Effiong, ‘The Black Book’ is a mystery and crime thriller film about the events that ensue when a gang of corrupt policemen kill a man’s only son. It will feature Richard Mofe-Damijo and Ade Laoye as the lead cast, alongside Sam Dede, Alex Osido, Shaffy Bello, Ireti Doyle, Olumide Oworu, and more Nollywood veterans.

Anikulapo (Series)

‘Anikulapo’ was one of 2022’s best and biggest moments in Nigerian film. Its sequel is a 4-part series, with Kunle Afolayan reprising his role as director and producer. It will also feature the returning trio of Sola Sowobale, Kunle Remi and Bimbo Ademoye, alongside Gabriel Afolayan, Lateef Adedimeji, Eyiyemi Afolayan, Taiwo Hassan, and more.

Blood Vessel

Starring David Ezekiel, Adaobi Dibor and Jide Kene Achufusi, Charles Okpaleke and Play Network Studios’ ‘Blood Vessel’ 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, in order to escape a mega coup plotting in their hometown along the Niger Delta. The film is directed by Moses Inwang and produced by Agozie Ugwu, Arafat Bello-Osagie and Roxanne Adekunle-Wright.

Oloture (Series)

From EbonyLife, the sequel to the 2019 hit ‘Oloture’ is a multi-episode series that continues its titular character’s work as an undercover journalist moving through Niger, Libya and the Mediterranean, as she tries to find a way out of her assignment. Kenneth Gyang returns as the director, while Sharon Ooja, Omoni Oboli, Beverly Osu and more cast members reprise their roles.

Ijogbon

This coming of age drama stars Ruby Akubueze, Kayode Ojuolape, Oluwaseyi Ebiesuwa and Fawaz Aina (of Ikorodu Boiz) as four teenagers in rural south-west Nigeria. who stumble across a pouch of diamonds and conceal it, to grave repercussions. It’s directed by Kunle Afolayan, who created the story, and is produced by Golden Effects Pictures.

WAR: Wrath and Revenge (Series)

A spin off from EbonyLife TV’s popular ‘Sons of the Caliphate’ series, ‘WAR’ follows Nuhu Bula’s rise to the governorship of Kowa, treacherously orchestrated by his wife Binta, who discovers her husband is about to take a second wife and decides to stop at nothing to protect her family’s status quo. The star-studded cast features returnees from its predecessor, including Mofe Duncan, Rahama Sadau, Yakubu Mohammed and Patrick Doyle, along with Ayoola Ayolola, Theresa Edem, Bikiya Graham Douglas, Sophia Muhammed and more.

To Kill A Monkey

Expected in 2024, Kemi Adetiba’s crime thriller series will feature William Benson and Bucci Franklin in the lead roles, with a supporting cast that includes Bimbo Akintola, Chidi Mokeme, Dami Adegbite and Ireti Doyle. Production on the series recently kicked off, more information about the story and the cast will be shared later.

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