7 Gen Z actors set to rule Nollywood

For the longest time, huge names like Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, and Jim Iyke ruled Nollywood. They were the dream team.

Sure, there is a lot to be praised about their talent and work, and we can safely say that they built the foundation that gave rise to the Nigerian movie industry. But there are new kids on the block - young actors in their 20s, proper Gen Zs with Y2K aesthetics, serving us raw talent, award-winning shows, meme-able moments, and the whole nine yards.

Hhere are 7 of our favourite Gen Z actors to watch out for in Nollywood:

1. Iremide "Fantasticks" Adeoye

Iremide, 20, is making waves as Lolu Adeleke, the queer son of Wura Amoo-Adeleke in one of the best Nigerian series to ever grace our screens, Wura. We can’t deny that the Showmax Original telenovela has got us in a chokehold, and we completely adore Iremide’s soft and sweet character, Lolu. He is like the yin to his mother’s yang.

Iremide also played Jason in Africa Magic's Borokini, but his skills are not limited to just acting. He is also a content strategist and percussionist, which explains the name "Fantasticks".

This young star has a lot of skills, and we’ll keep our fingers crossed for this one.

2. Toluwani George

Although you can catch Toluwani George in fun small roles, you’re much more likely to remember her as Eve Adeleke, the loving daughter and sister but potential sister-in-law-from-hell character in Showmax’s Original telenovela Wura. She also starred as Sade in All Na Vibes.

She might not have a lot of films in her filmography yet, but we see the potential in this beautiful actress. Fans of Wura can attest to her great skill in tormenting her future sister-in-law. We can see some Patience Ozokwor in her, and we love it.

3. Uzoamaka Onuoha

Get ready to see more of Uzoamaka Onuoha this year. This star might just be made for award-winning, internationally recognised movies.

The Imo State-born actress has been in the industry for a while, with appearances in If I Am President, Omugwo, and Folly Of Men, but she broke out with her role as titular Diiche in the Showmax Nigerian Original thriller, recently nominated in the Best Art Director category at the ninth AMVCAs.

The actress also featured in CJ Obasi's fantasy film Mami Wata, which featured at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, and dazzled in her role as Nkechi in Swimming in a Sea of Trauma, an Igbo short film premised on a post-Civil War ghost story, which premiered at the 2023 International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR).

4. Genoveva Umeh

The year 2022 was a big one for Genoveva Umeh as she stole hearts with her performance in the crime series Blood Sisters, but the Nigerian-British-trained actor first appeared on the big screen.

In the same year, she was nominated for the Best Actress in a Drama award for her first feature film, A Tune Away, and went on to feature in AMVCA nominated Showmax Original crime series, Crime and Justice Lagos; as well as Far From Home, One Lagos Night and Love Is War.

Her filmography includes nominations at the British Academy Film Awards (BATFAs) and Sundance Short Prize Winner 2021 in a short film titled Lizard.

5. Angel Unigwe

Most actresses who start out as child actors have a hard time breaking the mould, but that does not seem like a problem for Angel Unigwe, who snagged the 2023 AMVCA Trailblazer award at the recently concluded award show.

The 18-year-old actress has played dominant roles in Africa Magic’s Ajoche, King of Boys, Mute, Bereaved: Pains of Aliyah, Olive, Here Love Lies and worked alongside big names like Joke Silva, Rita Dominic, Ngozi Nwosu, Saidi Balogun, Kiki Omeili and Tope Oshin.

Don’t be surprised if you continue to see this promising young actor in a range of roles in the coming years.

6. Esther Uzodinma

Esther isn’t just the girl from My Siblings and I. She has also starred in the famous family comedy series Papa Ajasco, and is open to taking on bigger challenges. The 21-year-old might still be finding her way around Tinseltown, but there are certainly more roles and movies in her future as long as she continues to act.

7. Prince Unigwe

Prince Unigwe is not new to the film and TV industry, although he may have just popped up on your radar. Much like his sister, Angel, he started as a child actor but has worked on some notable projects like Chief Daddy, Schemers, My Siblings and I, and others.

He is the voice behind young Jay Jay in Showmax’s first Nigerian animation series, Jay Jay: The Chosen One, a series based on the reimagined childhood of one of Africa’s football legends, Jay Jay Okocha.

From the small screen to debuting on streaming platforms like Showmax, we love our young actors for their raw talent, energy, and dedication to the craft. Most of all, we admire their ability to connect with audiences of all ages.