Mimi Chaka on Princess on a Hill: "Tolani is crazy"

The story continues on Princess on a Hill, a Showmax Original that dives deep into the power struggles and silent wars at the Lawson Group, a fictional corporate empire where ambition knows no bounds. At the centre of this riveting drama is Tolani Ivy-Baker, a cut-throat executive played by the talented Mimi Chaka. 

Watch the trailer for Princess on a Hill

In this exclusive interview, Mimi opens up about her character, the challenges of portraying a morally ambiguous figure, and what makes the series a must-watch.

Tell us about your character.

Tolani Ivy-Baker is pretty much cut-throat; she takes matters into her own hands, and she's not waiting around for anyone. I feel like that is something I found admirable but also quite destructive and dangerous.

What attracted you to the character?

I felt like I was at a point in my career where I was getting back into acting again after taking a hiatus, and I wanted to rebrand, to kind of change my perception. I had always taken roles that were a little bit on the safer side.

And I felt like Tolani Ivy-Baker was a bit of a firecracker, and I just thought to myself, this woman is crazy; I'm interested.

What was the most challenging part of playing your character?

I think the most challenging part of playing Tolani was coming to peace with her nature. Her character is someone who is really cut-throat and will do anything she can to get what she wants. But it was about normalising that - not just acknowledging that Tolani is that kind of person but understanding that she thinks it’s normal and okay.

So I felt like the struggle was humanising that in my mind. But all in all, I find that, with any character I play or any persona I take on, I always like to come to terms with who they are and then move from there. But it was very difficult to match the morals.

What relatable themes should the viewers expect?

I think that it’s a corporate drama - something not always done in these parts. I feel like everything going on in the corporate world is relatable. You know, there’s the hierarchical system, the newbies who feel like they are dispensable, and the people who are running the show in front of the scenes but are horrible behind the scenes. I mean, it’s just everything in a nutshell.

And I find that those are the things I find so entertaining about what I do - that you're not really inventing the wheel. You're creating a smaller world of a world that already exists.

Would you call Tolani, Zara’s nemesis, a necessary evil?

Well, I would say that Tolani is a necessary evil in Zara’s development. There's nothing cool about being the underdog. And I think that sometimes you need to be liked by the people who are put on a pedestal to understand the game, so, for sure.

At the base of Tolani’s actions, do you think her intentions were genuine?

At the base of her actions, I think Tolani is an amazing character. I think that she’s a wonderful person. And I think that somehow, it brought light to people who move in survival mode and people who move fast because they’re encouraged. I feel like Tolani is someone who has had to move in survival mode, and it has kind of dehumanised her in a way that she can't see. But at the core of herself, she is a wonderful person.

Are there any similarities between you and your character?

I don't think there are any similarities between Tolani Ivy-Baker and Mimi Chaka. But I actually don't like to pick characters that I am very similar to. I think it doesn’t push you as an artist.

What was it like prepping for your intimate scenes?

I have just one questionable scene, and I’ve worked with the actor before. He is fantastic, and I find that most steamy scenes are always stereotypical. Well, for me, I prefer them choreographed so we know exactly what we are going in for. It's very by the book. For me, there wasn't too much, but I found that I was happy working with the director as well. He knew exactly what he was going for, and I was comfortable enough. I can't wait for you to see it.

Describe Princess on a Hill in one word or phrase.

If I were going to describe Princess on a Hill in one word or phrase, I would say: at the edge of your seat.

Don’t miss out on the intense drama, power struggles, and captivating performances in this new Showmax Original Princess on a Hill, streaming now exclusively on Showmax. 

Watch the full interview with Mimi Chaka