7 young African stars who have stolen our hearts onscreen

There is no greater satisfaction (other than hitting the snooze button in this weather) than watching your favourite actor live out his role on TV. If you are intrusive and inquisitive enough, you may even get to witness some of the biggest moments in their lives like Game of Thrones’s Kit Harrington “sneaking behind our backs” to quietly marry Rose Leslie like he is not the King in the North. Now that I’ve got that off my chest, let’s appreciate these young African actors who have given us some of the best performances of their career in their various TV shows that you can find on Showmax.

1. Nick Mutuma

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Nick Mutuma, who recently featured in Tosh Gitonga’s romantic comedy Disconnect, has been a screen heartthrob since his days on Tabasamu when he played the boy toy Luka.

For his role in MTV’s Shuga, Nick played Leo for five seasons, a role that introduced him to his now loyal Nigerian fanbase, who have even christened him with the Nigerian name Adewale. His Nollywood exploits have opened many doors for him, even earning him a spot in the romantic comedy series This Is It, whose creator and producer Omolola Adeleke said in a previous interview with Showmax that she decided to cast Nick for the lead role of Tomide after she saw his performance in Shuga.

Don’t miss the fairytale romance in This Is It S1-2, now streaming on Showmax.

Also catch Nick as the president’s son in political thriller State House, also streaming on Showmax.

2. Pascal Tokodi

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When we see him taking on the hilarious slay queen persona for his comedy stunts, there is just no stopping Pascal Tokodi when it comes to embracing his many talents. If you are ever looking for a good laugh, just take a second to scroll through his social profiles. And when he is not serenading girls with his soulful voice as a singer, Tokodi plays the rich boy Nelson in Maisha Magic East’s hit 2018 telenovela Selina.

You’ll also recognise a skinny and beardless Tokodi as the spoilt rich kid Frank who is used to getting his own way until tragedy strikes in Erica Anyadike’s Wrath, S1-3 available to stream on Showmax.

If you want to see Tokodi putting his singing voice to use, catch him as the easy-going Guy in Groove Theory, also on Showmax.

3. Beverly Naya

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Spend one minute looking at Nollywood actress Beverly Naya’s contagious smile and you’ll realise why Nigeria can’t get enough of her. Any fan of Tinsel – one of Nigeria’s longest running soap operas – will recognise Naya as the feisty Yaya Gardia, a persona that she has embraced in almost all her roles, making her one of the most beloved femme fatales in Nollywood. Tinsel S1-7 is streaming on Showmax.

In Before 30, a show that revolves around four young career women in Lagos, Naya plays the sexy Nkem, who would rather have her fun with men than take them seriously. Let’s see if you are immune to her charms: Before 30 S1 is now streaming on Showmax.

4. Timini Egbuson

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Timini Egbuson is a fashion icon in his own league, the kind of man who can effortlessly switch from a bespoke suit to a tattered street outfit and still look like the man of your dreams. One of the oldest members of MTV’s Shuga (which he joined in 2013 with the show’s first Nigerian debut), Timini plays the young, fun-loving chick-magnet Tobi. MTV Shuga S1-5 is streaming on Showmax.

5. Thuso Mbedu

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South Africa’s sweetheart Thuso Mbedu is having the time of her life; from getting an International Emmy nomination for her role iconic role in SA’s hit telenovela Is’Thunzi in 2017 to appearing on the Forbes Africa cover and making it to their Under 30 list of brilliant young minds in the continent in 2018.

Thuso made her TV debut in the hit show Saints and Sinners and has also appeared on critically-acclaimed soapie Isibaya.

In the fifth season of Shuga, dubbed MTV Shuga: Down South – the first season of the series to be shot in South Africa – Thuso played 17-year old Ipeleng who has to raise her sibling while putting herself through school. Don’t miss MTV Shuga S1-5 on Showmax.

6. Ayanda Makayi

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Another MTV Shuga alum, Ayanda Makayi is best known for his role as the possessive boyfriend Sol in MTV Shuga: Down South, which was his first major acting role. You can also find him as Boysie in the second season of the supernatural drama series Igazi, available to stream on Showmax until 30 June.

7. Sarah Hassan

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Sarah Hassan may have disappeared from our screens lately but she has wowed us with her performance since her early days in Tahidi High.

In How To Find a Husband, Hassan plays Carol, the dutiful wife to the womanising David (played by Sue na Jonnie’s Martin Githinji), who bites off more than she can chew when she sets her eyes on her hot new chef Henry (Lenana Kariba), right under her husband’s nose. How To Find a Husband is streaming on Showmax.

Sarah Hassan also stars as Leah in Dorothy Ghettuba’s Jane and Abel, also available on Showmax.

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