Derek Bbanga reflects on his role in The Chocolate Empire

 By day, Derek Bbanga is Kenya's go-to image consultant, running his high-flying consultancy firm that works with everyone from local celebs to top C-suite execs. This powerhouse isn't just about looking good – he's a dynamic executive trainer, coach, and facilitator, known for driving high performance across the board. His knack for captivating audiences has even landed him multiple TEDx speaking gigs. But the spotlight doesn’t stop there. Come evening, Bbanga takes on the world of entertainment with scene-stealing supporting roles in some of Showmax’s biggest shows like Big Girl Small World, Single Kiasi and Second Family.  

Watch the trailer for The Chocolate Empire

And now, the man of many talents takes on an exciting new role in Chocolate Empire, where he plays Mike, a detective who is caught up in a passionate romance with Marie (Jackie Kaboi), who is his longtime friend JB's (played by Jimmy Gathu) wife, while JB is behind bars.  

This is one star who's showing he's got it all – brains, talent, and undeniable charm! 

In an exclusive, Derek reflects on his career and role in Chocolate Empire:  

This is not your Showmax debut. Can you recall your first Showmax Original and what your role was?  

I absolutely recall my first Showmax original – Single Kiasi Season 1, where I played Steve, the irreproachable lawyer. That was my very first Showmax production, and I feel lucky that I’ve had the chance to work on a few more since then. 

I had done a show called Changes a while back, but I don’t really consider that my big break. My significant roles really started coming after Single Kiasi. It was that experience that opened so many doors for me, and I’m grateful for it. 

Which is your favourite role so far? 

Picking a favourite role is like trying to choose my favourite child – it’s tough! Every show and every character I play has something unique about it. If I really had to choose, I would probably say my role in Chocolate Empire. The nuance of the character makes it stand out for me. However, it's a tie between that and playing Jackson Kilu in Second Family. Both roles brought something different to the table, and I have loved diving into both. 

You play Mike – a character who has feelings for Marie. His quest for revenge against JB makes him a fascinating character. How did you prepare for this role? 

I had to tap into my own psyche and, shall I say, explore my dark side to bring a certain authenticity to the role. It was a combination of research, sitting down with the directors, and reflecting on my own experiences. I had to ask myself: do I really have some of these tendencies? Have I ever behaved this way before? Combining all these elements allowed me to bring Mike to life. 

For this project, you are reunited with the Insignia team. What keeps you coming back for more of their projects? 

I think it’s because they keep calling me back! (laughs) But honestly, working with Bresson, Grace, and the team at Insignia is always such a great experience. They’re incredibly talented storytellers with amazing scripts that truly need to be told - especially stories that resonate with the Kenyan and African market. 

The characters they create have so much depth and authenticity, which really draws me to these types of projects. On top of that, the attention to detail, the work environment, and the professionalism of the entire team makes it an easy decision to keep coming back.  

What was the most challenging aspect of portraying Mike’s inner conflict between love and jealousy? 

I think the key thing here was finding balance, especially with a character like Mike. There’s a fine line between exploring his dark side and still leaving room for redemption. The challenge was making sure he didn’t come off as too dark, while also showing his flaws and making him relatable – showing that he’s human, just like the audience watching. 

The goal was to make him someone people could connect with because, in real life, they might know someone like Mike. It’s tricky to bring that kind of complexity to the screen, but I hope I managed to strike the right balance effectively. 

How did you approach the tension-filled scenes with Jimmy Gathu and Jackie Kaboi?  

Oh, we had our moments in this show! Before filming, we had some great discussions with the rest of the cast, did our rehearsals, and explored different ways to approach each scene. When you are working with such talented actors, you naturally bring out the best in each other.  

Mike’s journey toward redemption is a key theme. How did you ensure this felt authentic on screen? 

Authenticity is everything. The road to redemption is never straightforward – it’s messy. You take two steps forward, one step back. You fall, pick yourself up, and keep going. What I find so fascinating about Mike’s arc, and what I think the audience will enjoy, is the internal battle he faces. He’s torn between revenge and loyalty, all while trying to do the right thing as a detective, as an officer sworn to uphold the law. I really hope viewers can relate to his struggles and the internal conflicts he goes through. At the end of the day, Mike is just trying to do the right thing, despite all the challenges in his way. 

Watch Derek Bbanga on The Chocolate Empire now streaming on Showmax.