Sammy Okore gets candid on his breakout role in Reckless 

Kenyans might remember the shy Sammy Okore, who first appeared on our screens as young Tosh in the beloved TV series Machachari. Back then, he shared the spotlight with other child stars like Pepeta’s Lemuel Malik and the ever-controversial Tyler Mbaya from Take Me Home. 

Since those early days, Sammy has taken on minor roles, slowly paving his way to stardom. His big career break is finally here with Showmax’s newest youth drama, Reckless. 

In this gripping series, Sammy takes on the role of Mika, a party-loving teenager whose carefree attitude lands him in deep trouble. A wild street race turns tragic, causing an accident with devastating consequences for Mika and his older brother, played by Brian Abajah. 

Off-screen, Sammy shares a few traits with his on-screen persona. A self-proclaimed ladies’ man, he is not just sticking to acting – he’s diving into the local trap music scene, writing and producing tracks as he works to make a name for himself. Fans will even get to hear some of his tracks featured on the show. 

In an exclusive, the 25-year-old talks about his first Showmax project and budding career:   

Like your Machachari cast mates, you have transitioned from being a child actor to playing more mature roles. What has the journey been like and how did it prepare you for Reckless? 

My journey has been nothing short of enlightening. Along the way, so many incredible people have played a pivotal role in shaping the person and actor I’ve become. First and foremost, I owe so much to my dad, who’s not just my biggest inspiration but also the one who gave me my very first audition. He’s been my guiding light in this vibrant and unpredictable entertainment industry. Fun fact: he is currently the head of production at Standard Group, and I couldn’t be prouder to call him my dad. 

During my Machachari days, I had the honour of meeting the legendary Arabron Osanya (Faithless). He happened to be the father of my best friend back then, and anyone who knows Arabron will tell you he is one of the best in the game. He took me under his wing and mentored me during those early days as a child actor, shaping my passion and approach to acting. He is one of the best in the game. He took me under his wing and mentored me during those early days as a child actor, shaping my passion and approach to acting. 

Fast forward to Reckless, and I got to work with the amazing director Gilbert Lukalia. He really helped me dive into the role of Mika, making sure I lived and breathed the character. Our side chats on set? Honestly, those were some of the best moments, filled with wisdom, laughter, and lessons I will carry with me forever. 

Watch the trailer

In the first few episodes of the show, we have the high-octane street racing scene. Tell us about this.  

This scene is one of the biggest highlights of the show – and my career. I got to work closely with a stunt driver, and honestly, it was insanely amazing. Half the time, my adrenaline was through the roof. It felt like I was in the final moments of a football match, just about to score the winning goal. 

We shot it along the Southern Bypass in the middle of the night, around 10 pm. The atmosphere, the rush, the thrill – it was all unforgettable. It is hands down one of the best experiences I have had in my career and easily my favourite scene to shoot. Pure magic.  

Being both an actor and musician, how did music influence your character development and preparation for Mika? 

Music absolutely influences my acting. For Reckless, the 2023 amapiano hit Mnike became my ultimate go-to track to kickstart my day on set. If you listen to it, it almost sounds like someone is saying “Mika”, which made it so relatable for me. 

The song is packed with energy and psych, just like Mika’s character. It really helped me tap into his vibe every morning. It’s one of those tracks that truly set the tone for me to embody him fully.  

What’s currently on your Spotify list?   

Right now, I am listening to Afro fusion and R&B.   

Do we get to hear some of your tunes in the show?   

Yeah, you do hear my music in the show. There are a few scenes, mostly the car scenes, where my songs play in the background. Hopefully, the editors do their magic with the mixing so you can catch it clearly. 

What was the most challenging part of bringing Mika to life? 

Physicality was the toughest part of playing Mika. He’s all about high-energy stuff – fighting, driving, pure adrenaline. And I am a bit on the laid-back side, so it was a real challenge. The physical fitness he demanded was no joke. I had to switch up completely, man. I really had to step up. 

Our director, Gilbert, played a huge role in helping me get into character. He didn’t just direct; he guided me to feel the emotions. Sometimes, as an actor, you struggle to connect with certain feelings, but Gilbert had this way of bringing it home.  

Like your character Mika, are you a ladies’ man in real life? Are you currently dating? 

Yes, I’m a ladies’ man – but dating isn’t really my thing right now. I’m currently in a situationship. And hey, if you want to join the list, my DMs are wide open.  

If Reckless had a crossover episode with another popular Showmax series, which one would you choose and why?  

The Chocolate Empire. Why? Man, storyline, deadly, characters. And then you know Mika is a playboy; there’s some shorties on that show. Shout out to Ann Muli.  

What’s next for you? 

Looking forward to working on my music. I am working on a music video coming soon.  

Watch Sammy Okore in Reckless, now streaming on Showmax.  

Join the conversation: #RecklessShowmax 

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