The Making of Wura: An Intriguing African Telenovela

In just a few days, the much-anticipated second season of the captivating Nigerian telenovela, ‘Wura,’ is set to premiere on Showmax. Armed with a thrilling storyline and compelling characters, the telenovela has garnered much anticipation among fans, leaving them at the edge of their seats for what’s next in the Wura series.

Renowned filmmaker, Rogers Ofime, who is the executive producer of the series, shared his insights into adapting the South African award-winning drama ‘The River’ for the show, while building excitement for the upcoming season. Ofime expressed his surprise at the positive reviews and widespread embrace of ‘Wura,’ and was humbled by the show’s success. He noted that the show’s positive feedback outweighed the negative, which made it fulfilling to produce.

‘Wura’ is an adaptation of the compelling 2018 South African telenovela ‘The River,’ a six-season production set against the South African mining industry. In the Nigerian iteration, the focus is on its main character, ‘Wura,’ played by Scarlet Gomez, who embodies a captivating duality — ruthless and ambitious in business, yet loyal and protective within her family.

Taking inspiration from mentors and renowned film producers, Ofime was intent on making ‘Wura’ uniquely Nigerian. His journey took him to the original set of ‘The River’ in South Africa, where he soaked in the ambience and production style. Implementing this experience, he directed the telenovela in Nigeria using advanced filming equipment to ensure high production quality.

The depiction of a mining factory in ‘Wura’ remained true to the original show, with the production team going the extra mile to find authentic locations with active mining operations, contributing to the authenticity of the narrative. They were deliberate in making ‘Wura’ authentic to Nigeria, considering every element from the setting, wardrobe, dialogue to the mannerisms.

One of the notable deviations from the original production was the decision to introduce a symbolic shot of fire at the beginning of ‘Wura’ instead of the river motif used in the South African series. Another significant point was the inclusion of a queer character in ‘Wura,’ which was a risk worth taking, considering Nigeria’s stance on LGBTQ narratives in films.

The cast, led by Scarlet Gomez, has received varied reactions from viewers. Gomez, playing the challenging role of Wura, shared her process of drawing inspiration from strong female figures in Nigerian culture and Nollywood to bring depth to her character. The decision to cast Gomez brought a unique perspective to the portrayal of Wura, earning her a nomination at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for Best Actress in a Drama, Movie, or TV Series.

As the series approaches its much-awaited second season, Ofime and the team behind ‘Wura’ hope to maintain the captivation of the audience, with tantalizing hints at an upcoming twist that promises to captivate viewers, particularly in the development of Wura’s husband, Tony, portrayed by Yomi Fash Lanso.

With anticipation building up for the new season, fans eagerly await the unraveling of Wura’s controversial decisions and the exploration of her character’s intricacies. The success of ‘Wura’ has undoubtedly marked a milestone in local storytelling, integrating esteemed talent and authentic narratives.

The making of ‘Wura’ is a testament to the power of compelling storytelling and the courage to introduce groundbreaking narrative elements, setting it apart as an intriguing African telenovela.