This archive report was first published on 16 September 2019.
Published on September 16, 2019, Nigerians are up in arms over the decision by American film company HBO Max to cast Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong'o in the role of a Nigerian character in the limited series 'Americanah'. The series is based on Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's best-selling novel of the same name.
The 10-episode series follows the story of Ifemelu, a young Nigerian woman who falls in love with her classmate Obinze in a military-ruled Nigeria. They each depart for the West, with Ifemelu moving to the US, where she grapples with racism, and Obinze relocating to the UK as an undocumented immigrant.
Nigerians online have protested the move to give Lupita the role, arguing that there are many talented Nigerian actresses who could have perfectly fit the character. Some have suggested alternatives such as Yvonne Orji, Genevieve Nnaji, and others who are actually Igbo and Nigerian.
However, Kenyans online have hit back at Nigerians, saying that Lupita was chosen due to her prowess and that an actor can play any role. They also pointed out that Lupita is a real African who has gotten the role, and that it's not often that an African American actor can get the accent right.
