WAHALA: CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR NEW BBC DRAMA

The BBC has announced casting for Wahala, the new drama adapted by BAFTA- nominated writer Theresa Ikoko (Rocks, Grime Kids), made by Firebird Pictures, part of BBC Studios, for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. The stellar female-led cast includes Adelayo Adedayo, Deborah Ayorinde, Cush Jumbo and Susan Wokoma, who are joined by Nigerian screen icon Genevieve Nnaji.

Based on Nikki May’s debut novel of the same name, Wahala (a Nigerian word meaning ‘trouble’) is a gripping and surprising six-part thriller. The show weaves between four Nigerian-British women in their thirties, navigating careers, love and family in present day London; and their childhood homes, where danger and mystery abound. When dark secrets and even darker pasts threaten to shatter the lives of the women, they and their friendships are pushed to their limit. Wahala dey o!

Adelayo Adedayo (The Responder, Supacell), Cush Jumbo (Criminal Record, The Young People) and Susan Wokoma (Cheaters, Enola Holmes), play Simi, Boo and Ronke, best friends who have shared every aspect of life for years. Their carefully balanced world is disrupted when Isobel, played by Deborah Ayorinde (Them, Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue) a charismatic and super-wealthy new acquaintance, enters their orbit. Trouble follows closely behind. Tensions rise, loyalties fracture and long-buried truths surface, triggering a chain of events with shocking and tragic consequences.

Theresa Ikoko says: “I can’t wait to bring Wahala to life with this amazing cast, wonderful directors and brilliantly talented crew.”

Adelayo Adedayo says: “I am so excited to be bringing Theresa’s adaptation of Wahala to life, and I can't wait to work alongside this wonderful cast. Get ready for a thrilling ride with this friendship group!”

Deborah Ayorinde says: “I’m so excited to be a part of this thrilling series. I’m also excited to embody a character that people haven’t seen from me before.”

Cush Jumbo says: “I’m very excited to be part of this show and to bring this fantastic story to the screen.”

Susan Wokoma says: “As a long fan of Theresa Ikoko and her exquisite writing, it is a honour to be a part of her powerhouse Wahala team. So excited to bring to life Nikki May’s world alongside three of this country’s most outstanding actresses - let’s go!”

Genevieve Nnaji says: “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.”

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says: “Theresa’s scripts for Wahala are an absolute joy - riveting, full of rich and complex characters, and everything you’d want from Nikki May’s exquisite book brought vividly to life on screen. It’s no surprise that it’s attracted a cast of this magnificent calibre.”

Elizabeth Kilgarrif, Executive Producer for Firebird Pictures, says: “We are so proud to be announcing our incredible cast for Wahala and can’t wait to see them breathe life into these wonderful characters. Wahala promises to be a fantastically entertaining, gripping and epic story that we are delighted to bring to the BBC.”

Wahala (6x60) is executive produced by Nawfal Faizullah for the BBC, Elizabeth Kilgarriff and Craig Holleworth for Firebird Pictures and Theresa Ikoko. The directors are Leonora Lonsdale, Theresa Ikoko and Remi Weekes and the producer is Ado Yoshizaki Cassuto. BBC Studios will handle global sales.