BIG NEWS! Global streaming giant Netflix just announced via Twitter that they have partnered with Nigerian producer and media mogul Mo Abudu to adapt Wole Soyinka and Lola Shoneyin’s literary works to series!
Netflix has greenlit a film adaptation of Wole Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman and a series adaptation of Lola Shoneyin’s The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives.
In addition to that, Netflix has enlisted Mo Abudu, through her TV station/production company EbonyLife to produce two new Nigerian Originals plus licensed films and a series for the streaming platform.
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Since becoming a household name in the 2000s with her daytime talk show Moments With Mo, Abudu has risen to become one of the most trusted names in Nigerian entertainment.
After launching EbonyLife as an upscale TV network in 2012, she moved into feature film production; producing box office-shattering titles like The Wedding Party; the most successful Nigerian film of all time.
The three highest-grossing Nigerian movies are all EbonyLife productions. Talk about premium content!
Check out the announcement below:
What this means is that despite the devastating news from the NBC, we may yet get a Netflix Naija original. That is, until the content exclusivity ban either kicks in or gets killed off.
It has been a great year for Netflix’s African expansion. Earlier this year, Netflix dropped its first African original, Queen Sono, a South African spy series starring Pearl Thusi.
The streaming giant followed that up with the South African teen drama Blood & Water; which quickly climbed the streamer’s top 10 daily rankings across the globe, including the U.S. and the U.K.
Netflix also announced its first Nigerian original, an untitled sci-fi drama series helmed by veteran director Akin Omotoso. In addition to the new deal they just inked with Mo Abudu; it is safe to say we are at the brink of an African content revolution.
Speaking on Netflix in Africa, Abudu said:
“As a Nigerian storyteller, my biggest motivator has always been to tell authentic and untold stories that resonate with every person; regardless of where they’re from in the world while showcasing our culture, heritage and creativity. This unprecedented partnership is testament to Netflix’s investment in African storytelling.”