Rogers Ofime Wura and Its World of Adaptation

In just a few days, ‘Wura,’ the spellbinding Nigerian telenovela on Showmax, known for its intriguing storyline and compelling characters will return. As the premiere of the second season beckons,

Vanessa Obioha encounters its executive producer, Rogers Ofime, who revealed the intricacies of 

adapting the South African award-winning drama ‘The River’ for the series while

building  momentum for the upcoming season 

With the conclusion of the first season of ‘Wura’ in July on Showmax, avid fans were left teetering on the edge of their seats.  What lies ahead for Wura in the upcoming season? Will Kanyinsola succeed in her mission to dismantle her? And what twists await in the intricate love triangle involving Tumi?  These nail-biting questions have heightened anticipation, setting the stage for the much-awaited second season premiere on Showmax, scheduled for Monday, December 4.

For renowned filmmaker, Rogers Ofime, who serves as the executive producer of the series, the buzz surrounding Showmax’s first Nigerian original telenovela is nothing short of surreal. While accustomed to the accolades that often accompanied his TV productions, what set ‘Wura’ apart for him was the widespread embrace and acceptance the show had garnered.

“I wasn’t expecting the outcome that we got from ‘Wura’ in terms of viewership and the buzz,” he said in a recent encounter. “The fact that the positive reviews have been way higher than the negative for me, feels very good, fulfilling and humbling. That you can get to do something although you want to tick all the boxes you know, of course, you can’t get 100 per cent, yet people are willing to overlook the flaws because the positive outweighs the negative.”

‘Wura’ is an adaptation of the compelling 2018 South African telenovela ‘The River,’ an original M-Net production that spanned six gripping seasons, set against the backdrop of the South African mining industry. In this Nigerian iteration, the spotlight shines on the titular character, ‘Wura,’ portrayed by Scarlet Gomez. Her character embodies a captivating duality — ruthless and ambitious in the pursuit of maximising profits for her gold mining company, yet a stark contrast as a loyal and protective wife and mother within the confines of her home.

With the international acclaim of the award-winning ‘The River’ and its successful franchising to other countries such as Portugal, Ofime faced a formidable task when he acquired the rights to produce the show for Showmax: how does he make this a uniquely Nigerian production?

Notably, this was not the first occasion the filmmaker, who commenced his journey in movie, television, and commercial production back in 2001, was steering such significant projects. His impressive portfolio boasts the longest-running TV show in Africa, ‘Tinsel,’ the captivating telenovela ‘Hush,’ the comedic gem ‘The Johnsons’ and the gripping 2015 thriller ‘Oloibiri.’

Armed with multiple degrees in Theatre and Dramatic Arts, including a Master’s in Business Administration, Ofime found inspiration in mentors such as Nigerian film producer Tade Ogidan and Erika Klopper. According to him, these mentors played a pivotal role in providing his initial breakthrough in the television and film industry.

Being an adept filmmaker, he recognised the imperative of leaving an indelible mark with the ‘Wura’ production. First, he travelled to the original set of ‘The River’ in South Africa, immersing himself in the ambience to capture its unique feel and tone. Two weeks later, having absorbed the nuances of South Africa’s production style and quality, Ofime made a pivotal decision to shoot ‘Wura’ using the sophisticated RED camera.

“We told ourselves that every episode should be a film.”

Together with his crew, they embarked on this mission, engaging in a series of meetings, ensuring that every element from set to wardrobe seamlessly fit into the unfolding story of ‘Wura.’

“We actually got a 35-acre rundown hotel in Osun State. We tore it down and rebuilt it. We had the opportunity to build other sets too. We were very adventurous with the project,” Ofime explained.

Like ‘The River,’  ‘Wura’ is premised on a mining factory. Ofime, in his quest for authenticity, scoured locations with active mining operations. Fortune smiled upon him when Iperindo, a mining community nestled in Osun with a gold mining company, seamlessly aligned with the envisioned setting, providing the perfect canvas for the unfolding narrative.

“We were very intentional about ‘Wura’ being uniquely Nigerian. From the setting, wardrobe, dialogue to the mannerisms,” he disclosed.

This was in line with Showmax’s mission to tell authentic local stories that resonate with the audience.

“We’re incredibly proud and excited about the reception Wura garnered over the course of its first season,” said the Executive Head, Content and West Africa Channels, Multichoice, Busola Tejumola. “The positive engagement the show received reaffirms our stance on the power of local storytelling.”

She added, “As Africa’s Original streaming service, we will continue to invest in telling impactful stories, as well as nurturing the next generation of Nollywood stars.”

Another distinctive element of ‘Wura’ was Ofime’s decision to open with a symbolic shot of fire, deviating from the river motif used in the South African original production.

An integral part of ‘The River’ that made it successful was the queer narrative. Adapting this angle to the Nigerian iteration where topics revolving around the LGBTQ community are often muted in film and TV  productions posed a bit of a challenge to Ofime. He admitted his initial apprehension, acknowledging the complexity and potential controversy surrounding such a character.

“I was a bit scared at the beginning because ‘The River’ has been adapted in Kenya and Portugal and they did not go the queer route. But that narrative was part of the reason ‘The River’ was successful. So there was the issue of whether we should go that route or not,” he said.

After much deliberation with his team, they arrived at the realisation that embracing a queer character in ‘Wura’ was a risk worth taking. While anticipating potential backlash from the audience, the team recognized the importance of acknowledging the existence of the LGBTQ community in Nigeria. Moreover, they understood the responsibility placed upon them to present this narrative with sensitivity and the right perspective.

“It depends on the frame with which we are presenting the narrative. We could be saying to parents to give their children the liberty to choose who they want to be. We could also be saying to parents that there is a change in the world we live in today and that requires them to pay more attention to their children instead of being consumed by work and other financial obligations.”

Finally, they boldly introduced Lolu (Iremide Adeoye), a closeted gay character and the son of Wura, into the storyline.

“Some people talked about it, some didn’t but the amazing thing is that the show was accepted in its totality,” Ofime said.

Much of the buzz around ‘Wura’ is centred on Gomez who recalled in a chat the divided opinions among viewers—some offering unwavering support, while others express disbelief, questioning the intensity of her character with remarks like, “How can you be so wicked, you’re just a woman.”

Speaking about her character, Gomez shared that embracing the various facets of Wura was both challenging and intriguing.

“I drew inspiration from several strong female society figures from our culture and iconic female Nollywood characters. I also studied the fantastic execution of the South African lead but I had to keep in mind that due to the unique cultural differences, translation will need to be different,” she explained.

Much like the fans, Gomez admitted to occasionally supporting Wura and found herself making excuses for every one of her character’s misdeeds.

“That was the part I found most interesting because at some point I had to be in denial to be able to play the role convincingly.”

With these varied reactions, the decision to cast Scarlet Gomez as the lead in ‘Wura’ emerged as a triumph for Ofime. While acknowledging the abundance of notable actresses fitting the role in Nollywood, Ofime opted for a breath of fresh air, seeking a unique perspective and a portrayal that would add a distinct flavour to Wura’s character.

“I didn’t want an actor who would play this very easily and is also familiar with the audience. I wanted someone who could grow with the character. Someone that people would not associate her performance before now to what she’s bringing to the table. I think that worked for Gomez. It was a little tough at the beginning, but she got into it. And I’m glad that she proved herself worthy of the character.”

Indeed, Gomez’s outstanding portrayal earned her a nomination in the Best Actress in a Drama, Movie, or TV Series category at this year’s Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA).

With the first season culminating in its 100th episode, Ofime hopes that the audience’s attention, captivated thus far, will seamlessly transition into the eagerly awaited second season.

“It’s very difficult to hold viewers’ attention, but I’m glad for one thing: we have done it successfully with 100 episodes. It’s amazing when I hear someone say they watched 100 episodes in four or two days. It takes a show to be captivating enough to be able to do that. We hope we can implement this in the second season because it is breathtaking.

Without giving away too much, Ofime tantalisingly hinted at an upcoming twist that promises to captivate the audience, particularly in the development of Wura’s husband, Tony, portrayed by Yomi Fash Lanso.

For Gomez, she hopes the new season will delve into the intricacies of Wura and explains why “she made some of the most controversial decisions that were seen in season one.”