Wura is a 2023 Showmax original Nigerian soap opera, executively produced by Rogers Ofime. The series is best known to be Nigerian first longest Showmax original series, starring Scarlet Gomez, Yomi Fash Lanso, Carol King, Ray Adeka, Iremide Adeoye, Ego Iheanacho, Martha Ehinome, Lanre Adediwura, Oluwaseyi Akinsola, Ropo Ewenla, Miracle Gabriel, and Tersy Akpata.
| Wura | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Drama, Soap |
| Based on | The River |
| Written by |
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| Directed by |
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| Starring |
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| Theme music composer | Nelson Kenneth (Kukushi) |
| Country of origin | Nigeria |
| Original languages |
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| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 218 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Rogers Ofime |
| Producer | Preye Odibo |
| Production location | Iperindo |
| Running time | 28–29 minutes |
| Production company | Native Media |
| Original release | |
| Network | Showmax |
| Release | 23 January 2023 |
Wura is an adaptation of the South African soap opera The River, an M-Net original production streaming on Showmax.[1]
Series overview
editEach episode from Season 1 and Season 2 was released four times weekly from Monday to Thursday on Showmax.[2] Only the finally season, Showmax announce each episode will be released two times weekly from Monday to Tuesday.[3]
| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | |||
| 1 | 100 | January 23, 2023 | July 13, 2023 | |
| 2 | 100 | December 4, 2023 | May 23, 2024 | |
| 3 | 18 | September 23, 2024 | TBA | |
Season 1 (2023)
editWura is a ruthless gold-mining magnate and CEO of Frontline Gold Mine in Iperindo community. She is a faultless and a saint in her family but when it comes to running her business, she becomes that ruthless lady, who doesn't care whose ox is gored in her path to get what she wants. Jeje and Detective Kolapo clean after her. The first season introduces Kanyinsola her husband's daughter, who tries to expose her at all costs.
Season 2 (2023)
editThe first nine episodes focus on Kanyinsola covering up Detective Mark's body after he died in her room in the Adeleke's mansion. During a dinner outside the Adeleke's mansion, her stepmother Wura discovered she was acting cold and followed her after dinner. Kanyinsola was about to bury his body in Estate when Wura saw her and recorded it. The second half of the season focuses on Wura in a clash with Fola, as the people of the Iperindo community, discover they have been robbed for years by Wura when Fola breaks the news about the community owning 30% of the Gold mine discovered in Iperindo. Wura stuck a deal with Fola, which ended up so bad that Fola exposed her in front of her husband, who is the commissioner of police Anthony Adeleke. Tumininu became Wura's mouthpiece to communicate with the community, as Wura tried to get back at Fola.
Season 3 (2024)
editIn the season, Wura pays for her ruthless action as her long-buried secrets are brought to light, while she tries to save her gold mine and family. Tumi on the other hand finds out she's not a Kuti, while Jeje loses her to her first love Dimeji after Bisola's secrets catch up with her. Dimeji meets with Jamal's biological father, Saheed, at their son's birthday, leaving his wife Bisola speechless.[4]
Cast and characters
edit- Scarlet Gomez as Wura Amoo-Adeleke
- Yomi Fash Lanso as Anthony Adeleke
- Ray Adeka as Jejeloye “Jeje” Amoo
- Iremide Adeoye as Lolu Adeleke
- Toluwani George as Eve Adeleke
- Oluwaseyi Akinsola as Femi
- Ropo Ewenla as Olusegun “Pa” Kuti
- Ego Iheanacho as Iyabo Kuti
- Martha Ehinome as Tumininu “Tumi” Kuti
- Lanre Adediwura as Olumide “Cobra” Kuti
- Aweodein Adeola as Aunty Labake
- Modesinuola Ogundiwin as Kanyinsola Adeleke
- Carol King as Grace Adeleke
- Miracle Gabriel as Ebunoluwa “Ebun” Kuti
- Casey Edema as Dimeji
- Tersy Akpata as Ewa
- Olawale Gold as Detective Kolapo
- Rhoda Albert as Paulina
- Muyiwa Donald as Kazeem
- Toluwanimi Adekanmbi as Bisola
- Mofe Stephens as Fola
- Jare Martins as Chief Popoola
- Taiwo Ibikunle as Biggie
- Ayorinde Babatope as Percy
- Misi Molu as Omolara
- Odufeso Olajumoke as Young Wura Amoo
- Obadare Akinade as Young Olusegun Kuti
- Adekunle David as Baby Tumi
- Chukwuebuka Ude as Adewale
- Audrey Edak Harrison as Mandy
Production
editFilming
editPrincipal photography of the series set location in Iperindo, a community in Atakunmosa East local government in Osun State, a state in southwestern Nigeria.[5] The community discovered gold first in 1945.[5] In 2017, its gold deposit was evaluated at $5 billion.[6] According to Nigerian Entertainment Today author Anjolaoluwa Abiosun, “its community is plagued with poverty and a lack of basic amenities, including access to potable water, motorable roads, and functioning health facilities”.[5]
On 22 April 2023, shortly after Wura hit 50 episodes, the producers spoke with The Guardian Saturday Magazine, about its plan for the first season to reach over 200 episodes.[7] On 13 June 2023, following the release of episode 82 in its 1st season, one of Tinsel directors, Ben Chiadika joined the production team, led by Rogers Ofime as a director. Philemon Maigari joined the production team as a director on the 2nd season. Philemon debuted on episode 10 of its 2nd Season, as a co-director alongside Ben Chiadika.
Premiere and release
editOn 19 January 2023, The Ọọ̀ni of Ifẹ̀ (King of Ife), Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi hosted a private screening at his palace of the first few episodes of the Showmax original series in Osun State. The King wives, Olori Tobi Philips Ogunwusi, Olori Aderonke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi, Olori Afolashade Ogunwusi, and Wura stars Scarlet Gomez, Yomi Fash-Lanso and Ego Iheanacho, alongside other cast and crew members where in attendance.[8]
The king at the official premiere, described the show, saying: “The show was very well put together and professionally done”, and added to the remark by saying: “I’m very impressed and I rarely get impressed with things. I love the naturalistic effect of the series. It premiered to me at the palace and I could barely find any faults. I have to give the entire crew some major credit. The story is very well scripted and that’s the typical determination you find in any Nigerian. It’s a show that will impact society not only in Ife. I look forward to watching the rest of it because it’s very obvious that it’s a series that will address a lot of societal ills and will engage the citizenry as a whole.”[8]
On 13 July 2023, Showmax announced the end of season 1, shortly after the release of the 100 episodes "Blabbermouth".[9][10] On 13 November 2023, showmax announce the release date for its second season to be premiered on 4 December 2023.[11][12] Recurring actress Modesinuola Ogundiwin, to join the main cast. On 3 December 2023, Showmax hosted a private screening at Obafemi Awolowo University. The first few episodes of the second season premiered at the event, with Wura cast and crew members in attendance including Scarlet Gomez, Yomi Fash-Lanso, Martha Ehinome, Casey Edema, Ray Adeka, Lanre Adediwura, Ego, Modesinuola Ogundiwin, and Tersy Akpata.[13][14]
On 9 September 2024, Showmax announced that season 3 would be released on 23 September 2024 with a teaser trailer.[15]
Reception
editCritical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Premium Times[16] | 6/10 |
Wura has received favourable reviews from critics. Reviewing for Premium Times, Shola-Adido Oladotun said “If there is one thing Nollywood producers continue to teach us; it’s their fearlessness in exploring different film genres. With the release of Shanty Town and Showmax’s latest original project, ‘Wura’, one cannot help but get excited at what this year has in store.”[16]
Impact
editWura took over Tiktok with its hashtag "#wurashowmax", and as of 22 June 2023, the hashtag has received 39M TikTok views.[17]
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Actress In A Drama, Movie Or TV Series | Scarlet Gomez | Lost | [18] |
| Scream All Youth Awards | Best actor in a TV series | Ray Adeka | Won | [19] | |
| Best actress in a lead role | Scarlet Gomez | Won | |||
| Best actor in a supporting role | Iremide Adeoye, and Muyiwa Donald | Won | |||
| Ray Adeka, and Lanre Adediwura | Lost | ||||
| Best actress in a supporting role | Audrey Edak Harrison | Lost | |||
| 2024 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Writing - TV Series | Wura Season 2 | Lost | [20][21] |
| Best Series (Scri1pted) | Lost | ||||
| Gage Awards | Best Web Series | Wura | Won | [22] |
References
edit- ^ Goldbart, Max; Whittock, Jesse. "'Wura': Showmax Preps Nigerian Adaptation Of South African Telenovela 'The River'". www.yahoo.com. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
- ^ Edwards, Michelle (23 January 2023). "Wura S1". Showmax Stories. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ "Third and Final Season of 'Wura' Premieres Monday". THISDAYLIVE. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
- ^ Writer, Staff (23 September 2024). "Wura S1-3". Showmax Stories. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- ^ a b c Abiosun, Anjolaoluwa (4 February 2023). "Wura: How I Fell In Love With Showmax's First Telenovela - Yomi Fash-Lanso". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
- ^ "Gold deposit in Osun state worth $5bn, says geologist". TheCable. 2 October 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
- ^ Nigeria, Guardian (22 April 2023). "Wura hits 50 episodes, As lead actress Scarlet Gomez eyes AMVCA". The Guardian Nigeria News. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Ooni of Ife hosts private screening for Nigeria telenovela, Wura". Vanguard News. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- ^ Udodiong, Inemesit (14 July 2023). "Showmax's 'Wura' wraps up season 1 with 100 episodes". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
- ^ "Wura Season 2: The Potential Plot Twists To Explore". 36Vibes.com.ng. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ Staff Writer (13 November 2023). "Showmax's hit telenovela Wura returns for a second season this December". Showmax Stories. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ Nigeria, Guardian (20 November 2023). "Showmax's Hit Telenovela, Wura, Returns For Second Season". The Guardian Nigeria. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ^ "OAU Catches 'Wura' Fever as Season 2 Premieres on Campus - THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
- ^ Eze, Chinelo (3 December 2023). "WURA The Thrill, Intrigues, Suspense, Drama Deepen". The Guardian Nigeria. Guardian Life Magazine. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
- ^ "Showmax Original Wura returns 23 September". Showmax Stories. Showmax. 9 September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ a b Oladotun, Shola-Adido (12 February 2023). "MOVIE REVIEW: Wura is Nigeria's ambitious interpretation of Mexican telenovela". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ^ "#wurashowmax". TikTok. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ "Full List: Here are all our AMVCA 9 Nominees". AMVCA - Full List: Here are all our AMVCA 9 Nominees. Retrieved 2023-04-23.
- ^ Agbana, Rotimi. "Scream All Youth Awards '23: 10th Edition Nominees List". Independent Nigeria. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ Adeduyite, Okiki (24 March 2024). "FULL LIST: AMVCA 2024 nominations". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
- ^ "The tenth edition of The Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Winners list". Africa Magic. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ "Gage Awards 2024 announces winners". Pulse Nigeria. 5 March 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.