Three Overlooked Nollywood TV Shows You Must Watch

Nollywood is the name given to Nigeria’s lucrative film industry. Based in Lagos, pinning down other defining factors of the genre can be tough. No one knows quite when the industry began, and its output is conducted in over 300 languages.

While many eyes are on its movies, there are also plenty of television series, some of which have been vastly overlooked. We discuss the most important ones to watch in the article below.

The Johnsons 

On the surface, The Johnsons is the story of an average family trying to better themselves. Yet this is also the story of Nigeria, a country that is striving to become bigger and better while improving the standards of living for its citizens. Thus, it stands to reason this would become one of the cult hits of the past five years.

Centred around a middle-class family, it tells the tale of how they try to become rich. Each member has their own goals and ambitions, which often lead them to adventure, comedy, and occasional infighting. From Charles, the tight-fisted head of the family, to the spoilt baby yearning for attention, the characters are universal, making the reach of the show extend far beyond Nigeria.

Casino 

Casino was broadcast in 2015 and was produced by the company Micromedia. It has all the hallmarks of a great Nollywood series, but as well as being episodic was released in theatres as a feature-length movie. This was to bridge the gap between TV, video-on-demand, and mobile.

Nigeria’s land-based casinos are mainly found in the two major cities. Thus, to many inhabitants of the wider country, in 2015 these were places of intrigue and mystery which they had seldom experienced first-hand.  The series also broadcast at a time when online operators, providing live casino UK and elsewhere, began to boom. Many Nigerians were aware of this, but a lack of regulation in their own country and poor connectivity meant they often could not access them, which must have only added to this mystery.

Casino was filled with storylines that fuelled this aura of glitz and glamour. Set in a fictional place called Coastal State, it was about the business and political dynasty of a businessman named Prof. Emeka C. Douglas and those around him jostling for his power. All of this was set in his casino, filled with betrayal, lies, and deceit: the essential hallmarks of a gripping drama.

The Real Housewives of Lagos 

The Real Housewives franchise seems to have been done to death, and this tagline may be the reason many people may overlook it. However, the Nigerian version is something to behold as it offers an insight far removed from the Western cultures other iterations have placed on the screen. It focuses on the upmarket and rich of Lagos and gives an insight into their social circles.

So far, this show has only enjoyed two seasons, with the third set to air. The stars of the show come from a range of backgrounds, from real estate managers to social media influencers, which only adds to the laughs and tensions.

Nollywood has a charm all of its own. From horror to documentaries, there will be something for all tastes. Do some research and settle down to binge-run one of these fantastic shows.