Producer Grace Kahaki on developing The Chocolate Empire

The Chocolate Empire is here, now streaming on Showmax, and it’s as juicy as its title suggests! The creators of Single Kiasi, Insignia Productions, deliver another masterpiece that dives deep into Nairobi’s glitzy elite. 

Stepping into his first-ever lead role, the multitalented Kina star Jimmy Gathu plays JB Mauzo, a former tycoon fresh out of prison. JB’s mission? Rebuild his life, mend his shattered family… and secretly run a high-end escort service from his exclusive cigar club.  

Watch the trailer for The Chocolate Empire

Fan-favourite stars such as Ivy Wanjiku (Sanura), Makena Kahuha (Subterranea), rapper Xtatic, and Kalasha winner Mumbi Maina (Second Family) take on the role of JB’s escorts, aka the “chocolates.” 

Co-directed and co-produced by the unstoppable duo Phillippe Bresson and Grace Kahaki, The Chocolate Empire serves drama, intrigue, and scandal while exploring family bonds, love’s many shades, redemption, and the steep price of deceit. 

In an exclusive interview with Showmax, producer Grace Kahaki speaks on the show’s creative development:  

What was the inspiration behind The Chocolate Empire? 

I’ll let you in on a little secret: the show is an adaptation of the South African hit series Rockville! But trust me, we gave it that authentic Nairobi vibe by creating more than 20 new characters that truly represent Kenyan culture. 

Our version dives deep into how we Kenyans navigate the modern world – especially through social media. We wanted to highlight how social media can be a powerful tool to get anything you want but also show that not everything online is as it seems. It’s a reminder to take all that glitz and glamour with a pinch of salt! 

The Chocolate Empire is a bold departure from your previous work like Single Kiasi. What drew you to this project, and how did you approach its production? 

Honestly, it’s the darker, bolder tone – it’s unlike anything I’ve done before. Phil and I thrive on challenges, and this was the perfect opportunity to push ourselves and elevate our craft to new heights. 

When it came to production, we didn’t take any shortcuts. Stories like these need to be rooted in authenticity, so we rolled up our sleeves and went straight to the source. We talked to people living in these worlds we were portraying. It was all about research, research, and – you guessed it – more research. 

One of our biggest goals was to humanise the “chocolates”. In our adaptation, we made sure these women were not just objects but real, multi-dimensional characters. Each one has a unique personality and story to tell, which makes the show even more powerful. 

Balancing crime, family, and romance is no easy feat. How did you manage to weave these themes together? 

Mixing crime, family, and romance in one show is no walk in the park, but here’s the trick: it’s all about honesty. When I’m directing, I always remind my actors of one golden rule – never judge your character. Whether they’re playing the villain, the victim, or the hero, they need to embrace their role fully. 

If you judge your character, your performance loses its truth, and the audience can feel it. Keeping the story grounded in raw, authentic emotions is what makes these themes seamlessly connect. That’s how we created a world that feels as real as it is gripping. 

Did you write any characters with specific actors in mind? 

JB was always Jimmy Gathu in my mind. I had the pleasure of working with him on Single Kiasi, and his incredible range left a lasting impression on me. When it came to creating JB, a character who’s as charming as he is menacing and manipulative, Jimmy was the perfect fit.  

He brought JB to life in a way that’s nothing short of magic. Despite all of JB’s flaws, Jimmy managed to make him someone you can’t help but root for – even when he’s clearly in the wrong. That balance of complexity and charisma? It’s pure Jimmy Gathu. 

As a producer, what was the most challenging part of bringing the show to life? 

As a producer, the toughest part was – hands down – the locations. At Insignia, we’ve set the bar high with the quality of our shows, and there was no way we were going to compromise on this one. We had a crystal-clear vision of the world we wanted to create, and finding the perfect spots to match that vision wasn’t easy. 

We scoured Nairobi and worked in some of the city’s best locations, ones that truly brought our story to life. It was challenging, but the result was worth every bit of effort. The world we created feels real, immersive, and exactly as we imagined it.  

The show features a rich ensemble cast. What was the process of assembling such a talented and diverse group of actors? 

This is the biggest cast I’ve ever worked with – and trust me, I’ve produced and directed more than 10 TV shows! The casting process was intense and took time, but we had a clear vision of what we wanted, and we didn’t settle until we found the perfect fit. 

I’m absolutely in love with this ensemble. It’s a beautiful mix of fresh, up-and-coming talents and established legends in the industry. Working with such a diverse and talented group of actors was nothing short of an honour. Each one brought their A-game, and together, they created magic on screen. 

What key message or themes do you hope the audience takes away from The Chocolate Empire? 

We are all flawed, but that’s not the whole story. There’s always more to people than what meets the eye. As humans, we’re often too quick to judge, and the show challenges that. It’s a reminder to dig deeper, to see the complexities and layers in everyone’s journey. Life isn’t black and white, and neither are the characters in this story. 

Watch The Chocolate Empire now streaming on Showmax.