Nigerian actress and filmmaker Genevieve Nnaji is set to return to the screen in Wahala, a new six-part drama series produced by BBC Studios.
The series, which is adapted from Wahala, a novel by Nikki May, has been developed for television by BAFTA-nominated writer Theresa Ikoko. It will stream on BBC iPlayer and air on BBC One.
BBC confirmed the casting on Tuesday, unveiling a predominantly female ensemble that includes Adelayo Adedayo, Cush Jumbo, Deborah Ayorinde, and Susan Wokoma, alongside Nnaji.
The story follows four Nigerian-British women navigating friendship, ambition, relationships, and family life in contemporary London, while confronting unresolved issues from their past.
Central characters Simi, Boo, and Ronke, played by Adedayo, Jumbo, and Wokoma, share a close friendship that begins to unravel following the arrival of Isobel, portrayed by Ayorinde.
Producers say the series delves into themes of betrayal, hidden truths, and the long-term consequences of secrets buried over time.
Nnaji expressed excitement about joining the project, describing it as a compelling story backed by a strong creative team.
“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,” she said.
The role marks one of Nnaji’s most notable acting returns in recent years, following her work on Lionheart, her directorial debut, which premiered in 2018 and later became available on Netflix in 2019.
Widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s most influential figures, Nnaji has maintained a relatively low profile in recent years, making her return to acting a highly anticipated moment for fans.
Produced by Firebird Pictures under BBC Studios, Wahala, a Nigerian Pidgin word meaning “trouble”, adds to the growing wave of international productions featuring African talent and storytelling.
