‘Aníkúlápó,’ ‘Òlòtūré,’ ‘Blood Vessel,’ Join Netflix 2023/2024 Lineup

By Vanessa Obioha

As the year-end gradually draws near, Netflix has unveiled new titles for the final quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024. This includes
stories that span various genres and themes as well as new local films and series from filmmakers Editi Effiong, Mo Abudu, Charles Okpaleke, Kunle Afolayan and Kemi Adetiba.

Recently, the streamer held a star-studded event themed ‘Lights, Camera… Naija!’ as part of its commitment to showcase the country’s talents and creativity.

“We are fortunate to bring incredible projects from some of Nigeria’s most prolific creators,” said Netflix Vice President of Content in the Middle East and Africa, Ben Amadasun.
“Collaborating with them has enabled us to showcase Nigeria’s immense storytelling talent and creativity and make Netflix the home of the best Nigerian stories for our audience in Nigeria and around the world.”

Currently, in different stages of production, the company said that it would disclose the exact dates of release of the titles upon completion. The titles include:

Aníkúlápó (series): A spinoff of the much-beloved Yoruba epic movie, ‘Aníkúlápó,’ the four-part sequel is directed and produced by Kunle Afolyan, and features returning stars Sola Sowobale, Kunle Remi and Bimbo Ademoye alongside Owobo Ogunde, Gabriel Afolayan, Lateef Adedimeji, Eyiyemi Afolayan, Uzee Usman, Oyinda Sanni and Taiwo Hassan.

Òlòtūré (series): Following the success of the ‘Òlòtūré’ film, Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Studios’ feature on human trafficking, the story will return to Netflix as a series, where Òlòtūré, a young journalist continues her undercover work as a journalist crossing the Benin border. Her perilous journey will take her through the hostile lands of the Niger and Libya to the Mediterranean as she desperately tries to find a way out. Kenneth Gyang makes his return as a director with the beloved cast featuring Sharon Ooja, Omoni Oboli, Beverley Osu, Ikechukwu Onunaku, Stan Nze, Amarachukwu Ono, Bukola Oladipupo, Daniel Etim Effiong and Patrick Doyle taking up their roles in the series. Òlòtūréis expected to debut in 2024.

The Black Book: A mystery and crime thriller film by Editi Effiong and Anakle Films. In this story, old scores bubble to the surface when a gang of corrupt policemen kill a man’s only son, and he begins a search for justice. The film is directed by Editi Effiong, who also produced alongside Kemi Lala Akindoju and features a star-studded cast with Richard Mofe-Damijo and Ade Laoye as lead cast members, working alongside Sam Dede, Alex Usifo Omiagbo; Olumide Oworu, Shaffy Bello, Ireti Doyle, Taiwo Ajayi Lycett, Ikechukwu Onunaku, Patrick Doyle, Bimbo Manuel, Femi Branch, Denola Grey, Kelechi Udegbe and Nobert Young. The title was shot by BAFTA-winning cinematographer, Yinka Edward.

Blood Vessel: A mystery and crime thriller film from Charles Okpaleke and Play Network Studios, the story revolves around a group of six friends who find themselves caught in the crossfire and attempt to flee to South America as stowaways on a ship as unrest grows over a mega coup plotting in their hometown along the Niger Delta. The film is directed by Moses Inwang and produced by Agozie Ugwu, Arafat Bello-Osagie & Roxanne Adekunle-Wright. The lead cast includes David Ezekiel, Adaobi Dibor and Jide Kene Achufusi.

Ijogbon: The film is a coming-of-age drama-adventure film about four teenage youths from a rural village in South-West Nigeria who stumble across a pouch of diamonds and conceal it, to grave repercussions. The story was created by director Kunle Afolayan and produced by Golden Effects Pictures. The cast features Ruby Akubueze, Kayode Ojuolape, Oluwaseyi Ebiesuwa; Fawaz Aina of Ikorodu Boiz; Yemi Solade; Gabriel Afolayan and Bimbo Manuel.

WAR (Wrath and Revenge): is a brand-new drama series from Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Studios. A spin-off from the popular ‘Sons of the Caliphate,’ ‘WAR’ follows Nuhu Bula’s rise to the governorship of Kowa, treacherously orchestrated by his wife Binta, who would stop at nothing to see her husband succeed. When Binta discovers her husband is about to take a second wife, the wrath of a woman scorned will stop at nothing to protect her love. Mo Abudu is the series’ Executive Producer with Heidi Uys as Supervising Producer. Dimbo Atiya will be in the director chair’s guiding a star-studded cast including Mofe Duncan, Rahama Sadau, Yakubu Mohammed, Patrick Doyle, Ayoola Ayolola, Ifeanyi Kalu, Theresa Edem, Bikiya Graham Douglas, Daniel Okosun, Maikudi “Cashman”, Mickey Odeh, Sophia Muhammed, Uzee Usman, Padita Agu and Ahide Adum.

To Kill a Monkey: A licensed title from Kemi Adetiba, the crime thriller series stars William Benson and Bucci Franklin in the lead roles and includes cast support by Bimbo Akintola, Chidi Mokeme, Dami Adegbite and Ireti Doyle. The series – written and directed by Adetiba, who also produced it alongside Remi Adetiba – recently kicked off production.