Watch the trailer for Nigerian Showmax series Princess on a Hill

Showmax has announced that a new Nigerian Original drama series, Princess on a Hill, will premiere in November 2024.

The African streamer said this at the 2024 MIP Africa in Cape Town. MIP Africa forms part of Fame Week Africa, a week-long festival focusing on African television, music, and film.

Princess on a Hill is a compelling drama that explores themes of power, ambition, and the cost of success. The show is co-created by Abiola Sobo and AMVCA-winning filmmaker Tolu Ajayi, whose debut film, Over The Bridge, premiered at the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF) and led this year’s Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards with 12 nominations.

Watch the trailer for Princess on a Hill

In Princess on a Hill, viewers are introduced to the world of Zara, played by Onyinye Odokoro (Slum King, Adire), a young and naive woman whose life takes an unexpected turn after winning the prestigious Lawson Group’s Leading Ladies reality show. With her newfound fame comes a heavy burden: saving the very company that catapulted her to stardom. Thrust into the complex and cutthroat world of high-stakes business, Zara must quickly adapt to her new reality, where power struggles and ruthless competition are the norms.

But Zara’s biggest challenge lies not just in managing the company, but in standing her ground against the enigmatic and tyrannical CEO, Moyosore Lawson, played by Bimbo Manuel (Breath of Life, 2024 AMVCA winner for Best Movie) who is determined to see her fail. As she navigates the intricate web of corporate politics and personal ambition, Zara must dig deep to find the strength to resist manipulation, maintain her integrity, and ultimately prove that she is more than just a “princess on a hill.”

“There’s that dreamlike quality we want to convey in this modern African iteration of a universal mythical experience,” says Ajayi. “Business boardrooms as kingdoms, the wounded cruel king, strutting knights, conniving bishops, treacherous duchesses, the village belle turned warrior princess and sometimes a touch of the village jester; all the familiar elements of a mythic tale.”

“Through relatable African characters, the series reveals the degradation of innocence and the deep desire for validation,” adds Sobo.

The corporate drama also stars Efa Iwara, Ireti Doyle, Femi Jacobs, Andrew Bunting, Mimi Chaka and Norbert Young, with Chuka Ejorh and Shayo Oke-Sobo as co-executive producers.

“This is not your average boardroom drama. From the intricate details in set design to the meticulous editing process, every aspect of production is at the highest quality to ensure a rich African cinema experience,” says Dr Busola Tejumola, Executive Head, Content and Channels, West Africa at MultiChoice.

“Princess on a Hill stays true to our mission of telling authentic Nigerian stories and showcasing creative talent in African film,” she added.