Part Two of Exclusive Chat with Bolu Essien: Star of Netflix Series – Becoming Abi

Vivian Adeyemo recently caught up with Nollywood filmmaker and actress Bolu Essien. Star of Netflix chart topping series Becoming Abi.

In part one of the interview released last week, Essien discussed her inspiration for the hit Netflix show, how she combines motherhood with her career, destigmatising caesarean section births and more.

In part two of this exclusive interview, she discusses her future goals, challenges on making ‘Becoming Abi’ and plans for Season 2.

Read Also: Part one of the Exclusive Chat with Bolu Essien: Star of Netflix Chart Topping Series – Becoming Abi

Future Goals

What were the key challenges faced on producing Becoming Abi?

I would refer to my experience in the corporate world which has shaped me tremendously. In the corporate field, you have your goals which you break down into tasks. When I was in writer’s mode, I was focused on delivering on a task. I approach challenges through a task based approach.

As an actor, I learnt a lot from my time as a student at the Identity School of Acting (IDSA) in London, which I attended in 2021. I also surrounded myself with people who were experts in their fields. So my approach was to take my goals as tasks and put together a team who are good at what they do, so that they can support my vision. In terms of funding, my husband and I used all our savings for the project. My husband did sit me down and said that he really believed in me, he said that even if this fails we can start all over again.

I Want to Work with Viola Davis

You’ve worked with some of the big and up and coming names in the industry, who would be your ultimate actor/actress to work with?

Viola Davis! She is a great inspiration to me as a black woman and as an actor, I would love to be in a mother and daughter role with her. Thinking of working with her inspired me to write a unique mother -daughter story which I have started working on.

Your trajectory is rising in the film industry, what’s your future goal?

I just want to continue telling stories. After the initial media rounds with Becoming Abi and the film doing well on Netflix, there is that unspoken pressure for actors to post more on social media. But that is not me, I’m a creator. I’m an actor but also a creator. I spend my time writing, creating shows. We have over eight different tv shows, scripts, films and game shows in production.

My husband reviews my ideas, gives his thoughts and I make the updates. In terms of what is next for me, it is to create those exceptional stories which make people want to have more. An original deal would also not be bad! Consumers want great content – so I want to make sure I am spending time working on great content rather than spending time reminding people I am an actor!

Team “Don’t Complain – Create!”

It is inspiring to see more women in the industry directing and producing in what is a male-dominated space. What advice would you give any young female looking to write or produce films?

Create the kind of stories you want to see on screen. As I mentioned earlier, I didn’t really find proper representation of working professionals in the Nigerian space. If you watch Nigerian movies, you see working professionals are never in the office and if they’re in the office they’re always running out of the office or rushing around looking for files! No one uses files these days – we have emails! So for an upcoming producer I would advise – produce the kind of stories you want to see on screen.

I am team “don’t complain- create”, I was inspired by bible scripture. There was darkness and God said “let there be light”. God didn’t question why there was darkness, he just said let there be light. So for me, I am not going to complain that there is no representation or there is too much nudity – I am just going to create the kind of stories I want to see in movies.

Read Also: World Mental Health Day: Why it is important to speak up

Season 2 of Becoming Abi

Will there be a Season two of Becoming Abi and what can we expect?

We strongly believe there should be a season two, but it boils down to funds. Once the funds arrive and the business partners are good to go, then we go on set. So watch this space!

What is in the pipeline for Evolving Lights Studios? What projects will be coming out this year from your production company?

We like to deliver on the project and carry it to full term. Essentially, we are a start-up company and whether we bring a project out this year, boils down to executive decisions. Our company is a year old and we are having meetings with partners on our projects. It’s important that we are satisfied with the project before we release it. We are not focussed on getting things out just for the sake of it. We really want to ensure we release good quality projects for our consumers.

For more on Bolu, you can follow her on Instagram and subscribe to Evolving Lights Studios YouTube channel.