Via a Deadline Exclusive, SHOWMAX is in the process of prepping a Nigerian version of the International Emmy-winning South African telenovela The River. The Nigerian adaptation is titled Wura. Wura is branded to be SHOWMAX’s first and longest-running Nigerian telenovela with over 200 episodes, according to SHOWMAX Stories.

Wura is set against the backdrop of the gold mining industry in the Nigerian Osun state and tells the story of Wura-Amoo Adeleke, played by an all-star Nollywood rising star Scarlet Gomez (The Knot, No Man’s Land), a perfect wife, a loving mother of two, and the merciless Chief Executive Officer of the fictional Frontline Gold Mine.

“Wura explores the untold story of gold mining in Nigeria and is a demonstration of Showmax’s continued investment in authentic local stories,” explained Dr. Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels for Showmax owner MultiChoice’s Nigerian arm. “Each scene is carefully crafted to thoroughly entertain as well as educate our viewers.”

Wura also features all-star Nollywood stars including Ego Iheanacho portraying Iyabo Kuti, Yomi Fash-Lanso (Citation, Omodara) portraying Anthony Amoo-Adeleke, Ray Adeka (Demystified, Truly Deeply Madly) portraying Jejeloye “Jeje” Amoo, Lanre Adediwura (19 Wilcock Place, Alagogo Ide) portraying Olumide Kuti, Carol King (Journey to Self, Kofa) portraying Grace Adeleke, Iremide Adeoye (No 1, Tiger’s Tail) portraying Lolu Adeleke, and Martha Ehinome (Dear Bayo, The Pretty Ones Are the Loneliest) portraying Tumininu “Tumi” Kuti.

The video streaming service remains to broaden its library of local content and investment in Nigeria’s film industry–Nollywood. In 2022, SHOWMAX added five new Nigerian Originals to its roster. Those shows were drama series Flawsome; psychological thriller Diiche; a ten-part docu-series on the history of Afrobeats titled Journey of the Beats; reality TV series The Real Housewives of Lagos; and the recent Nigerian adaptation of the police procedural drama Crime and Justice Lagos, according to SHOWMAX Stories.

Wura will be airing on SHOWMAX on Monday, January 26, 2023, with four episodes weekly, according to SHOWMAX Stories.