Wura (TV series)

Wura is a 2023 Showmax original Nigerian soap opera, executively produced by Rogers Ofime. The series is best known to be Nigerian first longest Showmax original series, starring Scarlet Gomez, Yomi Fash Lanso, Carol King, Ray Adeka, Iremide Adeoye, Ego Iheanacho, Martha Ehinome, Lanre Adediwura, Oluwaseyi Akinsola, Ropo Ewenla, Miracle Gabriel, and Tersy Akpata.

Wura is an adaptation of the South African soap opera The River, an M-Net original production streaming on Showmax.

Series overview
Each episode is released four times weekly from Monday to Thursday on Showmax.

Season 1 (2023)
Wura is a ruthless gold-mining magnate and CEO of Frontline Gold Mine in Iperindo community. She is a faultless and a saint in her family but when it comes to running her business, she becomes that ruthless lady, who doesn't care whose ox is gored in her path to get what she wants. Jeje and Detective Kolapo clean after her. The first season introduces Kanyinsola her husband's daughter, who tries to expose her at all costs.

Season 2 (2023)
The first nine episodes focus on Kanyinsola covering up Detective Mark's body after he died in her room in the Adeleke's mansion. During a dinner outside the Adeleke's mansion, her stepmother Wura discovered she was acting cold and followed her after dinner. Kanyinsola was about to bury his body in Estate when Wura saw her and recorded it. The second half of the season focuses on Wura in a clash with Fola, as the people of the Iperindo community, discover they have been robbed for years by Wura when Fola breaks the news about the community owning 30% of the Gold mine discovered in Iperindo. Wura stuck a deal with Fola, which ended up so bad that Fola exposed her in front of her husband, who is the commissioner of police Anthony Adeleke. Tumininu became Wura's mouthpiece to communicate with the community, as Wura tried to get back at Fola.

Cast and characters

 * Scarlet Gomez as Wura Amoo-Adeleke
 * Yomi Fash Lanso as Anthony Adeleke
 * Ray Adeka as Jejeloye “Jeje” Amoo
 * Iremide Adeoye as Lolu Adeleke
 * Toluwani George as Eve Adeleke
 * Oluwaseyi Akinsola as Femi
 * Ropo Ewenla as Olusegun “Pa” Kuti
 * Ego Iheanacho as Iyabo Kuti
 * Martha Ehinome as Tumininu “Tumi” Kuti
 * Lanre Adediwura as Olumide “Cobra” Kuti
 * Aweodein Adeola as Aunty Labake
 * Modesinuola Ogundiwin as Kanyinsola Adeleke
 * Carol King as Grace Adeleke
 * Miracle Gabriel as Ebunoluwa “Ebun” Kuti
 * Casey Edema as Dimeji
 * Tersy Akpata as Ewa
 * Olawale Gold as Detective Kolapo
 * Rhoda Albert as Paulina
 * Muyiwa Donald as Kazeem
 * Toluwanimi Adekanmbi as Bisola
 * Mofe Stephens as Fola
 * Jare Martins as Chief Popoola
 * Taiwo Ibikunle as Biggie
 * Ayorinde Babatope as Percy
 * Misi Molu as Omolara
 * Odufeso Olajumoke as Young Wura Amoo
 * Obadare Akinade as Young Olusegun Kuti
 * Adekunle David as Baby Tumi
 * Chukwuebuka Ude as Adewale
 * Audrey Edak Harrison as Mandy

Filming
Principal photography of the series set location in Iperindo, a community in Atakunmosa East local government in Osun State, a state in southwestern Nigeria. The community discovered gold first in 1945. In 2017, its gold deposit was evaluated at $5 billion. According to Nigerian Entertainment Today author Anjolaoluwa Abiosun, “its community is plagued with poverty and a lack of basic amenities, including access to potable water, motorable roads, and functioning health facilities”.

On 22 April 2023, shortly after Wura hit 50 episodes, the producers spoke with The Guardian Saturday Magazine, about its plan for the first season to reach over 200 episodes. On 13 June 2023, following the release of episode 82 in its 1st season, one of Tinsel directors, Ben Chiadika joined the production team, led by Rogers Ofime as a director. Philemon Maigari joined the production team as a director on the 2nd season. Philemon debuted on episode 10 of its 2nd Season, as a co-director alongside Ben Chiadika.

Premiere and release
On 19 January 2023, The Ọọ̀ni of Ifẹ̀ (King of Ife), Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi hosted a private screening at his palace of the first few episodes of the Showmax original series in Osun State. The King wives, Olori Tobi Philips Ogunwusi, Olori Aderonke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi, Olori Afolashade Ogunwusi, and Wura stars Scarlet Gomez, Yomi Fash-Lanso and Ego Iheanacho, alongside other cast and crew members where in attendance.

The king at the official premiere, described the show, saying: “The show was very well put together and professionally done”, and added to the remark by saying: “I’m very impressed and I rarely get impressed with things. I love the naturalistic effect of the series. It premiered to me at the palace and I could barely find any faults. I have to give the entire crew some major credit. The story is very well scripted and that’s the typical determination you find in any Nigerian. It’s a show that will impact society not only in Ife. I look forward to watching the rest of it because it’s very obvious that it’s a series that will address a lot of societal ills and will engage the citizenry as a whole.”

On 13 July 2023, the Showmax announced the end of season 1, shortly after the release of the 100 episodes "Blabbermouth". On 13 November 2023, showmax announce the release date for its second season to be premiered on 4 December 2023. Recurring actress Modesinuola Ogundiwin, to join the main cast. On 3 December 2023, Showmax hosted a private screening at Obafemi Awolowo University. The first few episodes of the second season premiered at the event, with Wura cast and crew members in attendance including Scarlet Gomez, Yomi Fash-Lanso, Martha Ehinome, Casey Edema, Ray Adeka, Lanre Adediwura, Ego, Modesinuola Ogundiwin, and Tersy Akpata.

Critical reception
Wura has received favourable reviews from critics. Reviewing for Premium Times, Shola-Adido Oladotun said “If there is one thing Nollywood producers continue to teach us; it’s their fearlessness in exploring different film genres. With the release of Shanty Town and Showmax’s latest original project, ‘Wura’, one cannot help but get excited at what this year has in store.”

Impact
Wura took over Tiktok with its hashtag "#wurashowmax", and as of 22 June 2023, the hashtag has received 39M TikTok views.