The long-anticipated screen adaptation of Lola Shoneyin’s “The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives” is moving from a previously announced series for Netflix (where EbonyLife had a multi-title deal) to a feature film for cinemas. The project is now eyeing a release during the December blockbuster season.
No stranger to large-scale theatrical partnerships for the screens (The Wedding Party), EbonyLife is taking on a fresh approach, collaborating with Genesis, Nile Entertainment, and Silverbird on the co-production. The film will be directed by Daniel Oriahi (The Weekend, Sylvia, A Ghetto Love Story) from a script by Adze Ugah (Sierra’s Gold), with EbonyLife regulars Temidayo Makanjuola as Head of Production Design and Yolanda Okereke handling the wardrobe department.
The cast includes Odunlade Adekola, Iyabo Ojo, Mercy Aigbe, Bimbo Ademoye, Omowunmi Dada, Shaffy Bello, Bisola Aiyeola, Lateef Adedimeji, Kunle Remi, and Bolaji Ogunmola. Additional cast members include Bimbo Manuel, Tina Mba, Daniel Etim Effiong, Femi Branch, Rotimi Fakunle, Bukunmi Adeaga Ilori, and Constance Olatunde (Dust to Dreams).
Shoneyin’s acclaimed novel follows the story of the polygamous Alao family, led by the patriarch Baba Segi. When he takes an educated fourth wife, the decision sets off a chain of revelations that exposes long-buried secrets within the family.
Producers on The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives are Heidi Uys, Chris Odeh, Mimi Bartels and Shoneyin herself, with Abudu, Nnaeto Orazulike (Genesis), Moses Babatope (Nile) and Guy Murray Bruce (Silverbird) on board as executive producers.
The last EbonyLife film released exclusively in cinemas before the foreign streaming boom was Your Excellency, which grossed over 150 million naira according to reported figures. Since then, the company has released a number of films and series directly to Netflix, including Chief Daddy 2, Elesin Oba and Oloture: The Journey.
Alongside its fledgling streaming platform, there are also other anticipated projects from EbonyLife, including a new season of Blood Sisters, with Oriahi attached as one of the directors.
A wide December release is expected for The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives.
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