Under the Influence’s Iremide Adeoye says you’ll be hooked!

Iremide Adeoye, an award-winning actor and entertainer known for his performances in Wura, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and The Origin: Madam Koi-Koi, steps into the role of Dami in Under the Influence, Showmax’s latest Nigerian Original series.  

Dami is an intriguing character – caught between the complexities of social validation and ambition, he represents the struggles of many young people trying to navigate identity, success, and relationships in a world where perception is everything.  

From dealing with messy family dynamics with his older brother, Ayo (Bobby Ekpe), to chasing viral moments for all the wrong reasons, Dami’s journey is layered, intense, and deeply relatable. 

In this interview, Iremide talks about stepping into the role, the thrill of playing such a complex character, and why Under the Influence is a must-watch. 

What made you say yes to playing Dami? 

I’m very intentional about the roles I take on as an actor and the characters I play. I love to feel a strong connection to them before coming on board. When I was called to play Dami, I read his character bible, got the logline, and immediately knew this was something I really wanted to do. 

One major reason was the relatability factor – this story and character felt real. I didn’t want to do a disservice to Dami; I wanted you to see him and truly see him. I wanted you to feel like you’ve met Dami before because he’s someone we encounter regularly. My goal was to make him as relatable as possible, which is one of my greatest joys as an actor. 

What was the most exciting and challenging part of preparing for this role? 

The most exciting part was knowing that the audience would get to see me in a completely different light – one they hadn’t seen before. As much as I appreciate when producers or directors say, “I saw you in this character and knew you could do it,” one compliment I truly enjoy is, “I never saw you playing this role.” That makes it feel like a challenge, and I love proving a point. 

Playing Dami was exciting because he’s witty, loud, ambitious, and all over the place – very different from any character I’ve played before. That made it both thrilling and challenging. The challenge came from the fact that playing a funny or witty character carries a high risk of getting it wrong. It’s not as easy as it looks. Big ups to my director, Wande Thomas, for always working closely with me to make sure we got it right. It was tough, but I enjoyed every part of it – and I’d do it all over again. 

What do you think of Dami’s relationship with his older brother Ayo and the whole Gen Z and millennial vibe? 

It’s as relatable as it gets. We made a conscious effort to portray something that feels real – something you’d typically see among Gen Zs, millennials, or even siblings. And I think we did a fantastic job at that! 

What is the craziest thing you’ve done for social media validation? 

Honestly, nothing. My goals and authenticity mean more to me than social media validation.  

Watch the full interview below

Episodes 1 and 2 on Under the Influence are now on Showmax. New episodes drop every Friday.