Nollywood’s iconic actress Genevieve Nnaji returns to the screen in a new BBC television series, Wahala, a six-part thriller of Nikki May’s acclaimed debut novel, adapted by BAFTA-nominated writer Theresa Ikoko.

Eight years since her last appearance in the Netflix film Lionheart and first time since she starred in the TV series Ripples when she was 8, the Nollywood legend is set to grace our screens again with the arrival of Wahala.

The upcoming drama series follows four Nigerian-British friends in London whose close friendship begins to unravel after the arrival of a wealthy, mysterious new acquaintance, revealing buried secrets, fractured loyalties, and devastating consequences. As past secrets and present choices collide, the lives of the women are threatened, testing their friendship.

With production from the stables of the BBC Studios and Firebird Pictures for BBC iPlayer and BBC One, the filming for Wahala has officially begun. The stellar female-led cast also stars Adelayo Adedayo, Deborah Ayorinde, Cush Jumbo, and Susan Wokoma.

Adelayo Adedayo (The Responder, Supacell), Cush Jumbo (Criminal Record, The Young People) and Susan Wokoma (Cheaters, Enola Holmes) play Simi, Boo and Ronke, best friends who have spent years together.

Their precious world remains carefully balanced until Isobel, played by Deborah Ayorinde (Them, Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue), a charismatic, super-wealthy new acquaintance, enters their orbit and disrupts it. What follows is a series of tensions, friction in their friendships, exposed secrets, triggering a chain of events with tragic consequences.

“I’m very happy to be joining Wahala and to be working with such a brilliant team. It’s an intriguing story, and I’m excited to be a part of it,” Genevieve Nnaji tells BBC.

As we brace for the BBC TV series, we cannot wait to see what Nollywood icon Genevieve Nnaji, alongside the star-studded cast, has in store. And from the looks of things, there’s going to be so much Wahala, and we’re here for it!