Onyinye Odokoro dishes on her role as Zara in Princess on a Hill

In Princess on a Hill, Zara Osara emerges as the unlikely hero of a corporate power struggle, drawing viewers into a web of ambition, betrayal, and high-stakes deception. From her shocking win in a reality show competition to her uneasy first day at Lawson Group, Zara’s rise is anything but a fairy tale. Her newfound position places her in the middle of a ruthless game, where loyalty is questioned, and power has a steep price. 

As Mr Moyosore Lawson (Bimbo Manuel), the company’s enigmatic leader, entrusts her with exposing the traitors within his empire, Zara begins to understand that she can no longer remain the naive girl who entered the corporate world. 

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Her journey is marked by cold confrontations, dark alliances, and the question that will define her fate: “What do you truly want in life?” With a chilling resolve, Zara’s answer is simple: power.

Onyinye Odokoro, who plays the lead of Zara Osara, shares her experience of bringing this complex character to life. Odokoro discusses Zara's journey, the challenges she faced in the role, and what audiences can expect as the drama unfolds.

How challenging was it playing your character?

If there were a hundred scenes in Princess on a Hill, Zara is in 99.8% of them. There was hardly any downtime for me. Normally, with a bit of downtime, you can pick up lines while other actors are filming, but I didn't have that luxury. When you watch, you’ll see there’s a lot of heavy dialogue. I had to not only learn the lines but also deliver them with emotional accuracy to portray Zara’s depth. Filming in Nigeria is not chronological either, which added to the challenge.

What are the key things the audience should look out for?

If you're watching Princess on a Hill, keep a notebook handy! Moyosore Lawson is always dropping knowledge. Every lesson he shares makes you think, "This is deep." If you're an entrepreneur, you’ll find so much value, from business models to real-world ideas that work. Imagine getting business insights from someone like Tony Elumelu.

How has playing Zara transformed you as an actor?

I’ll always be tremendously grateful for Zara. Some scripts come along and make my soul happy. Princess on a Hill was one of them. It has strengthened me as an actor, and I hope to do more work that offers this kind of depth.

How did you prepare for your role as Zara?

As I mentioned, filming wasn’t chronological, so I was very focused on understanding Zara’s state of mind at each stage of her journey.

What advice would you give your character?

I’d tell her that people aren’t always what they seem. Being naive can be a flaw, especially in the world she’s entering. She needs to be less trusting and more discerning.

Describe Princess on a Hill in one word.

A whirlwind!

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Co-produced and directed by Abiola Sobo and Tolu Ajayi, Princess on a Hill also stars Efa Iwara; Nollywood veterans Bimbo Manuel, Iretiola Doyle and Nobert Young; Femi Jacobs; Andrew Bunting; and Mimi Chaka. 

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