In continuation of its tradition of showcasing homegrown content, Africa Magic has unveiled a stellar lineup of new original programming for this October.
The unveiling on Monday, September 29, at the Filmhouse Cinemas, Landmark MX4D, Oniru in Victoria Island, Lagos, attracted the casts and crew of the new programmes — The Low Priest, Mother of the Bride, Etiti, Rise Again, Kukoyi, Mgbuka, Sabon Tauraron Arewa —the media, ex-Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) stars and the recently evicted housemates of the ongoing 10/10 edition, as well as other influencers.
According to the Executive Head of Content and Channels, MultiChoice West Africa, Atinuke Babalola, the new slate is an extension of Africa Magic’s mission.
“As Big Brother Naija wraps up, we are excited to roll out fresh stories that speak to who we are as Africans. These new titles cut across cultures and genres, but they are united by a focus on authentic storytelling that reflects our people, our values, and our creativity,” she said.
Leading the new slate on Africa Magic Showcase is The Low Priest, a dramatic supernatural thriller about two rivals whose desperate act inside a sacred shrine leaves one chosen by the gods and the other cursed, which premiered on Monday, September 29. Produced by Femi Ogunsanwo with Paul Nnadiekwe, David Eyo, and Oluchi Amajuoyi leading the cast, the series airs weekdays at 8:00pm.
Also premiered on the same day is Mother of the Bride, a tale of a Lagos matriarch, who after the death of her husband, discovers she has just 45 days to marry off one of her four daughters or forfeit her inheritance.
October opens with Etiti (the world between worlds), a series that dares to ask: what happens when love, betrayal, and justice refuse to stay bound by the world of the living debut with the tale of a fearless warrior and hunter trapped in the afterlife, where he must join forces with a goddess to save his bride from a forbidden ritual and uncover the identity of his killer.
Rise Again, a dance-inspired drama directed by ace music videographer, Unlimited LA, is a redemption story about a dancer’s fight to reclaim his dream after betrayal and injury. It charts the comeback of a gifted dancer as he battles injury, betrayal, and loss on his road to redemption. It is set to premiere on Sunday, October 19 at 8:00pm.
On the Indigenous channels are three new titles set to debut on Saturday, October 11. Kukoyi on Africa Magic Yoruba tells the story of Aremu, who accepts the ominous post of Abobaku in his quest for wealth, knowing it ties his fate to that of the king.
Mgbuka on Africa Magic Igbo explores loyalty, betrayal, and vengeance in the scrap business through the lives of two childhood friends turned rivals. On Africa Magic Hausa, Sabon Tauraron Arewa, a new music reality competition, will spotlight emerging vocal talent from northern Nigeria in a contest for fame and a grand prize.
Speaking with The Guardian, Okpocha, the Executive Producer of Etiti, said: “Etiti was supposed to be a movie but Africa Magic expanded it to be in series and when it was done, we started building the characters, expanding the characters, the suspense, drama and others.”
“This is an Igbo epic; it has a little fantasy, drama, thriller with two percent of comedy. I have been exploring other sides of me different from comedy, I did that with Flatmates, Papa Benji, featuring in movies and playing different characters. I am exploring because I realised that I needed to step out, check myself to see how well and how far I can go in the talent God has blessed me with,” he added.
