Eva Ibiam on love and Lagos pop culture on Under the Influence

Eva Ibiam is fast making a name for herself in Nollywood. With notable performances in Clearly, No Compliments, and Love Like This, she brings depth and authenticity to every role she takes on. Now, she steps into the Showmax Nigeria Original drama series Under the Influence as Ivie, an artist whose serene presence provides balance in a world of chaos. 

Ivie is not just an artist and collector; she is a guiding force for those around her, particularly Ayo (Bobby Ekpe), a high-achieving corporate man juggling the weight of his responsibilities. She helps him navigate his relationship with his younger brother, Dami (Iremide Adeoye), while also offering him a much-needed sense of peace. What starts as a deep friendship between Ayo and Ivie slowly blossoms into something more, marking one of the most compelling arcs in the series. 

In conversation, Eva Ibiam delves into her approach to the role, the chemistry she built with her co-stars, and what audiences can expect from Under the Influence. 

Building chemistry with Bobby Ekpe 

Throughout the season, Ayo and Ivie share deep and intimate moments, gradually evolving from close friends to romantic partners. Bringing Ivie and Ayo’s relationship to life required an intentional approach. “I was very intentional about the chemistry that I wanted Ivie and Ayo to portray, and Bobby Ekpe and I were on the same page. Even before we started filming, we met up a few times to go over the scripts, go over our lines, and get to know each other. This was our first time working together, and I’m really glad we did that because it translated on screen.” 

Enemies to lovers or friends to lovers? 

Given the rising popularity of both tropes, Eva has a clear favourite: “Enemies all day! That’s where the real passion is. You see those ones where they hated each other, then they loved each other… the passion! Enemies, enemies anytime. Enemies to lovers and then back to enemies. That’s how we do it.” However, her character Ivie starts as friends with Ayo (Bobby Ekpe) and their relationship slowly builds into something more. 

The most challenging part of the role 

While Eva is not easily fazed, she acknowledges that certain aspects of playing Ivie required extra effort. “I’m not easily challenged, but every new character is always a challenge. My character, in particular, likes to talk a lot. She had this five-page speech at the gallery that I was looking forward to the most because it was very long. I was also a bit worried about the chemistry between Ivie and Ayo because I really wanted it to feel authentic. I wanted people to think, ‘There’s no way these two are not dating in real life.’ I wanted that ‘I’m rooting for these guys’ kind of romance. But I think I conquered those challenges.” 

Why Under the Influence is a must-watch

Eva promises that the show offers a little bit of everything: “There’s so much! Everything. If you’re looking for comedy, it’s there. Drama? It’s there. Romance? It’s there. Action? It’s there – they even have chase scenes and fight scenes! Friendship? Very relatable. It has it all!” 

Beyond being a compelling story, Under the Influence captures the cultural zeitgeist of Lagos’ pop culture scene, seamlessly integrating real-life locations, events, and figures into its narrative. From iconic social hubs to influential podcasts and blogs, the series grounds itself in reality, making it a true reflection of contemporary youth culture. 

With its mix of romance, drama, and social commentary, Under the Influence is poised to leave a lasting impact, and Eva Ibiam’s portrayal of Ivie is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the show. 

Watch the interview below