Unbroken, currently showing on Showmax, launched on Africa Magic last October and quickly gained a following amongst Nigerian television lovers.
The series centres around a young couple, Tivdo Gyado and Jesse Jangfa, whose families have been friends for many years. Following an attempted murder at Tivdo’s parent’s 30th wedding anniversary, the pair become engaged and appear to be on their way to a lifetime of happiness, until a tragic event occurs, testing their relationship on all fronts.
If you aren’t already hooked on the show, here are four reasons why Unbroken should be on your Showmax playlist.
1. It’s co-produced and co-directed by the brains behind Ajoche
Ajoche, dubbed by fans as Nigeria’s Game of Thrones, was one of the biggest shows out of the country last decade. Asides earning a City People Movie Award nomination for Best TV Series of the Year (English), the show frequently trended on Twitter during its run on Africa Magic. So fans of the show will be pleased to know that James Omokwe, who produced and directed Ajoche, also serves as a consulting producer and co-director on Unbroken. Also Efa Iwara, who played Prince Epe in Ajoche, returns to the screen as Tivdo Gyado.
2. There’s a nice mix of veterans and young actors
Africa Magic shows have always given us a nice blend of veterans and actors on the rise, and Unbroken is no different. The show features veterans like Maimuna Yahaya and Wale Macaulay. It also stars notable names like Nonso Odogwu, Efa Iwara, Najite Dede, Kunle Coker and Big Brother Naija’s Thin Tall Tony, and rising stars like Uche Chika Elumelu, Debbie Felix and Micheal Ejoor.
3. The storyline
The pilot episode of Unbroken ended with a classic whodunit and it doesn’t let up. The show presents several subplots; asides Jesse and Tivdo’s precarious romantic relationship, we’re also offered a glimpse into their parent’s shady personal and business dealings which instigates several complications.
4. It’s one of the most talked-about Nigerian shows on social media
From Facebook to Twitter, you can count on online commentary from fans on weekdays while Unbroken airs. Even the celebrities are not left out, as leading event planner Funke Bucknor-Obruthe recently shared an Instagram selfie she took with cast members Uzor Arukwe (Nafike Malafa) and Micheal Ejoor (Leon Adeyemi). Expressing her excitement at meeting the leading men, she asked her followers what they loved about the show.