Netflix has announced a new partnership deal with media mogul and filmmaker Mo Abudu to create two Original series, other films, and a series licensed to the streaming giant.
Abudu, through her production company EbonyLife, will bring two of Nigeria’s literary classics to screen.
In the multi-title deal, there will be the film adaptation of “Death and the King’s Horseman,” a play by Nobel Prize winner Wole Soyinka, and a series based on Lola Shoneyin’s best-selling debut novel, “The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives.”
Netflix announced this on its Twitter handle @NetflixNaija on Friday morning.
📣We’ve got MAJOR news for you today! Netflix has partnered with acclaimed producer @MoAbudu to bring you two of Nigeria’s most beloved literary classics to screens around the world! 📚🎥 pic.twitter.com/3zAE4zAndH
— Netflix Naija (@NetflixNaija) June 12, 2020
A series-adaptation of @LolaShoneyin‘sThe Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives and a film-adaptation of Prof. Wole Soyinka’s Death And The King’s Horseman! 🇳🇬
— Netflix Naija (@NetflixNaija) June 12, 2020
The streaming service also announced that EbonyLife TV would be producing two new Nigerian Originals plus licensed films and a series for Netflix.
Wait…there’s more! @MoAbudu and her @EbonyLife_TV will produce two new Nigerian Originals plus licensed films AND a series for Netflix!
This na Naija!! 🎉
— Netflix Naija (@NetflixNaija) June 12, 2020
Dorothy Ghettuba, Netflix’s lead for original series in Africa said;
Mo is at the forefront of creative storytelling in African television. Her passion for creating high-quality, riveting multi-genre films and TV shows that capture the imagination while showcasing the diversity and richness of Nigerian culture is evident in her impressive body of work.
She added that;
We are thrilled about this first-of-its-kind partnership in Africa that will bring some of Nigeria — and Africa’s most iconic storytelling to screen. We look forward to supporting Mo as she brings all these diverse Nigerian stories to the world.
Ben Amadasun, Netflix director of licensing and co-productions for Africa stressed that;
We believe that more people deserve to see their lives reflected on screen and for that to happen, we need to make sure there is a wide variety of content that caters to our members’ diverse tastes.
He noted that;
Our members around the world have been enjoying some of the licensed titles from EbonyLife like The Wedding Party, Chief Daddy, Castle & Castle and Fifty. I am excited to continue our licensing partnership with the addition of Netflix branded films titles that will grow the variety of quality Nigerian stories on our service.
Speaking on her new deal, Mo Abudu, CEO EbonyLife Media stated that;
As a Nigerian storyteller, my biggest motivator has always been to tell authentic and untold stories that resonate with every person, regardless of where they’re from in the world while showcasing our culture, heritage and creativity.
This unprecedented partnership is testament to the Netflix’s investment in African storytelling and we at EbonyLife are grateful and excited about the opportunity to work together with the Netflix teams led by Dorothy and Ben to deliver a slate of unique and riveting stories from Nigeria over the next few years for Netflix audiences around the world.
One of the unnamed projects will premiere on the platform in 2020.
With the new deal, the global streaming giant will be showcasing both Nigerian classics to its subscribers across the globe.
