
7 July 2017
Our favourite Kenyan celebrities as Game of Thrones characters
10 days, that is exactly how long we have to wait until the premiere of Game of Thrones season 7 takes the world by storm with it’s epic and icy grip. There is so much we want to happen in the new season. Like, could someone please just put Daenerys and Cersei in the same room and bolt the doors? Also, is it too much to ask for an Arya-Bran-Sansa-Jon reunion? Well, a girl can dream.
Binge all the six seasons of Game of Thrones on Showmax »
In the spirit of #WinterIsHere, have you ever wondered how our beloved Kenyan celebrities would fit in Game of Thrones and what characters they would play? Say no more, they’ve just been shipped to Westeros.
Nini Wacera as Cersei Lannister
https://www.instagram.com/p/-Otao7P3F0
https://www.instagram.com/p/BU651LZFKul
Cersei Lannister is a cruel human. Conceited and damaged to the core, she throws it in everybody’s face as she believes there is no other queen but her in her own little King’s Landing. Nini Wacera has enough villainous juices and the capacity for violence to fit comfortably into Cersei’s shoes. I mean, have you watched her in Wingu la Moto?
Catch Nini as Julia in Kona and also in Nairobi Half Life on Showmax.
Brenda Wairimu as Sansa Stark
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWDDkgKl9ya
https://www.instagram.com/p/BR5IgHQAAWp
Lady Sansa Stark is quite the character. Evolving from an innocent, naïve girl to a badass avenger who watches with satisfaction as dogs tear her tormenter and husband to pieces. Like Sansa, Brenda Wairimu who plays Pamela in Kona, has a certain innocence but when provoked for too long can explode and transform into a woman of steel.
Catherine Kamau (Kate Actress) as Daenerys Targaryen
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVR_-qKFZX6
https://www.instagram.com/p/BIbIKq8gzX8
Even with so much compassion for dragons and slaves, the Mother of Dragons isn’t really someone you want to piss off (as we are hoping Cersei and Euron Greyjoy will learn in season 7). Unless you can casually walk through fire. She may not be a platinum blonde but Kate Actress is headstrong enough to challenge a group of master slavers.
Gerald Langiri as Lord Varys
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNv_eqvjgXe/
Lord Varys is one of the smartest men in Westeros, a schemer extraordinaire with a network of spies in every city. Not that Gerald Langiri has “little birds” that feed him information but he just looks like the kind of actor that would do justice to Lord Varys’ character and iconic quotes. Langiri is currently bringing lots of laughs on Showmax in Stay and in Fundimentals.
Check out what Langiri had to say about his risqué role on Fundimentals.
Sarah Hassan as Missandei
https://www.instagram.com/p/BS2urSUlg1S/
Formerly a slave, Missandei now commands power as Daenerys’ right-hand woman while balancing a delightful romance with the Unsullied Grey Worm. While Sarah Hassan’s role as Carol in How to Find a Husband has nothing in common with Missandei’s role, tell me she doesn’t look like the kind of woman who could offer valuable advice to the Mother of Dragons?
This is totally unrelated, but has anyone ever noticed that Nathalie Emmanuel, the actress who plays Missandei totally resembles Meghan Markle who plays Rachel Zane in Suits?
Lwanda Jawar as Jon Snow
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVNBm3slym9
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUH0GSIgLfz/
Other than “being prettier than half Tormund’s daughters”, the King in the North, Jon Snow, is known for his brooding nature, good heart and as of season 6, a probable Targaryen. And Lwanda Jawar is the best guy to play Jon Snow – he has just the right amount of emotional damage and pensiveness as Wanjala in Kona to pull off this role.
Nick Mutuma as Robb Stark
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWJ0SCWD4LS/
Prior to christening Nick Mutuma as Robb Stark, I had an argument with a Tequila friend of mine to determine where he best fits in Westeros. Jon Snow came up, so did Grey Worm, Theon Greyjoy and Ramsay Bolton. We came to a consensus: Nick just doesn’t fit any of those profiles no matter how hard you try to “fix” the situation. As much as his fans would love it to be so, he is no Jon Snow, instead he has the traits of the Young Wolf Robb Stark even when he is in love and newly married in This Is It. Just like Robb, Nick knows what it means to be born into power as he plays the President’s son in State House.
Eric Omondi as Theon Greyjoy
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTG33iahCz8/
I know, I know, Theon Greyjoy? Really? You mean that guy who betrayed the Starks, captured Winterfell and was then taken captive by Ramsay Bolton? Eric Omondi could play that guy? I really think Eric Omondi could thrive as Theon. Or perhaps it’s the red hair. I don’t know, it’s just a gut feeling.
Bien Baraza as Khal Drogo
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUHU4sCBEL0
Show me an actor who has a better build than Bien Baraza and I’ll rescind my argument that he is the man best suited to play Khal Drogo. He just looks like the kind of guy who would rock the Dothraki men’s fashion.
Neville Misati as Jaime Lannister
https://www.instagram.com/p/0Uzf6cPyC_/
Jaime Lannister started off as a villain, we hated him just like all Lannisters (except Tyrion of course) and then somewhere between getting captured and losing his hand, he redeemed himself into one of GoT’s most beloved characters. Bless your soul Brienne of Tarth. If someone were to play Jamie, he should exude the same charisma without trying too hard. I am sticking by my choice of Neville Misati who is currently on Showmax as Nelson in How to Find a Husband and as Sean in New Beginnings (coming to Showmax this July)
Lyanna Mormont as Lyanna Mormont
I have looked far and wide and I have come to the conclusion that no one can replace the little dynamite that is the Lady of the Bear Island Lyanna Mormont.
Original African stories by local talent

Untied S1
Untied explores the deeply personal and often complex experience of divorce, told through the voices of women who have lived it. Stream from 24 June on Showmax.

Reckless S1
Reckless follows a pair of young brothers who find themselves at a crossroads when a tragic accident changes their lives forever. Stream from 23 June, with new episodes every Monday and Tuesday.

The Mommy Club NBO
The Mommy Club NBO is the fifth instalment of the record-breaking Mommy Club franchise. Stream now, with new episodes every Friday.

Empini S1-2
Empini is a high-stakes, action-packed drama set in the ruthless, corrupt world of private security. Season 2 is now streaming, with new episodes every Tuesday.

Youngins S1-2
Stream Tshedza Pictures’s first teen drama, Showmax Original Youngins. S1 and S2 are ready to binge.

The Real Housewives of Durban Seasons 1-5
Our eThekwini queens are back with a brand-new season. Stream Season 5 now, with new episodes every Friday.

Unfollowed S1-2
Unfollowed examines cancel culture in social media through real-life stories of South African celebs. Stream S1-2 now on Showmax.

The Mommy Club S1-3
The Mommy Club sees glamorous Jozi momfluencers navigating the the cutthroat world of “it” moms. All episodes, including both reunion episodes, are streaming on Showmax.
Ama Grootman S1 on Showmax
The Real Housewives of Durban S5, now streaming
More Mzansi gold

Must-watch trailer for upcoming Showmax talk show, Untied
Watch the explosive trailer for Untied, featuring eight South African celebrities who have gone through public divorces. Hosted by Relebogile Mabotja, the talk show premieres on Showmax on 24 June 2025.

Married At First Sight Mzansi S1
Eight strangers, one goal – to meet their perfect match for the very first time at the end of the wedding aisle. Stream all of Married at First Sight Mzansi Season 1 while you wait for Season 2, on Showmax.

Showmax and DStv celebrate the legacy of Presley Chweneyagae
Relive Presley Chweneyagae’s breakout role in the Oscar-winning Tsotsi on Showmax or DStv Stream from 9pm on 6 June, on M-Net at the same time, or in the following days on Mzansi Magic and M-Net Movies Channel 4. Plus the finale of Cobrizi, with Presley in a fan-favourite role, lands on Sunday, 8 June on Mzansi Magic.

Binnelanders S8-14
Binnelanders, an Afrikaans soapie set in and around a fictional private hospital, follows the trials and trauma of the staff and patients.